Assignment Essentials: Step 5: Quote your sources properly

Referencing is providing information on the sources that you used in your research.  To ensure that your research has integrity, your sources must be credible.  The original information must be easy to find to verify your statements and conclusions.

In-text Citing: short information in the body of the text.

References: Section at the end of your work with full information of works used to write the essay, to enable the reader to find the original source.

Bibliography: Strictly speaking is a list of any works read or consulted during the research, or any works recommended by the writer for further reading on the subject.

• To give credit
• To avoid plagiarism
• To enable the reader to locate information.
• To get credit - providing excellent sources demonstrates your ability to research

A style can govern the whole layout of your work e.g. margins, font, spacing, alignment etc. A particular style is often used by a discipline and publishers within it. Getting familiar with a style will serve you well for the future. Always check which style to use with your Lecturer/School.

Websites and books for some of the main styles are listed below:

Citation Generators can be very useful.  They allow you to generate references automatically.  They also provides guides for some styles: APA, Chicago, Harvard and MLA, for example. They offer a higher level of services for a subscription but the basic levels are free. Turnitin is UCC's plagiarism checker and is available through Canvas.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary the origin of the word goes back to the 17th Century and it means  "kidnapping" .

A more modern interpretation is stealing and presenting information as one's own.  This information can be in many forms e.g. books, music, presentations, lecture notes.

Note: Images within a work may have a separate source who will need credit.

Plagiarism is often just being careless. Scholarship demands high academic standards and attention to detail is paramount.  

When in doubt cite!  Crediting your sources eliminates any possibility of plagiarism.

Use quotations and use "in-text citing". Don't over use quotes or use lengthy ones as it can disrupt the flow of your assignment causing a reduction in your own work.

"Express the meaning of (something written or spoken) using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity." (Oxford English Dictionary)

Paraphrasing can be fine but do it carefully and always credit the source.

UCC Code of Honour

"We freely pledge to abide by the UCC Code of Honour. Being truthful, honourable and honest in all our conduct, we will not lie, cheat or plagiarise. We will always endeavour to show respect to fellow students, staff and to all members of the wider community."