4. Referencing
- What is referencing?
- What is a referencing style?
- ChatGPT and other AI tools
- Quick online referencing tool
- Referencing software
- EndNote referencing software
What is referencing?
If you use the ideas or works of others in your assignments you must state that you have used them. Referencing is acknowledging the authors and resources you have used. Anyone reading your assignment can access or check those resources, if you have referenced them. Not only is referencing a polite way of acknowledging the work of others you have used in your assignment, it is also an academic requirement. If you use someone’s work or ideas in your assignment and do not acknowledge that you have done so, you will have committed plagiarism.
What is referencing (YouTube, 1m09s)
What is a referencing style?
A referencing style is a set of rules telling you how to acknowledge the thoughts, ideas and works of others in a particular way. It is a crucial part of successful academic writing. There are a number of different referencing styles used at UQ. Check your course profile, or ask your tutor or course coordinator, if you are unsure about which style to use.
There are different referencing styles used at Charles Sturt. Most subjects will use APA 7th, but always check with your subject outline. The ChatGPT and other AI tools
Our Generative AI: for Study guide has more information and tips for using Generative AI correctly. Also check out the page on Your guide to Generative AI for more information.
Quick online referencing tool
A Library Primo record will show the citation for a few styles (e.g. APA) that you can copy
Referencing software
You may find referencing software, such as EndNote, useful. Referencing software allows you to create your own library of references you have read for assignments. You can store references for books, journal articles, podcasts and websites. Then, using the referencing software, place in-text citations into your assignment and generate automatic bibliographies.
Sometimes references are not imported into your software library correctly. While referencing software can help manage and insert references, you will still need to know the rules of your chosen style. You should check every reference that you download to make sure the citation is correct.
Check your knowledge
Work through Charles Sturt Library’s Get started with EndNote Modules
EndNote referencing software
EndNote is freely available to current Charles Sturt students and staff. Learn how to use EndNote with our tutorials or check our modules in the link above or the EndNote library guide before you start using the software.
