Throughout your studies you will be expected to use many different types of information to enhance your own knowledge and understanding of the subject you are studying.
When you write a piece of work and use an idea or information from another source, e.g..from a book, journal, film, image or sound recording, etc. you must acknowledge where you got this information from. Acknowledging the work of other people in your own work is called referencing.
However, if you fail to acknowledge where you got the information from, or if you copy, summarise or paraphrase someone else's work or ideas as your own, then this is known as plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious academic offence and the University views it as cheating. For more information see the Plagiarism tab above.
Referencing is not just about avoiding plagiarism though. When used correctly, referencing can help you achieve better marks because:
it is evidence that you have been reading around your subject
using references adds weight to your discussion and arguments
it demonstrates that you understand the key issues in your subject and also your ability to evaluate and critically apply this understanding to your work.
it enables others to find your references easily.
For more information, on referencing and plagiarism, please visit: Plagiarism Referencing.
