Lazarus, K n.d., Barn Owl, Unsplash, viewed 20 November 2018, <https://unsplash.com/photos/sPZXWoWHqX8>

This is Module 4 in the Search, Evaluate, Integrate, Reference and Act Ethically (SEIRA) Owl modules.   These modules are about scholarship in using sources.   That is, how and where to find the best sources; how to integrate them convincingly and correctly in your writing and how to approach academic activities with ethics and integrity.

Now that you are developing skills to integrate sources into your assignment, the next step is to fine-tune your referencing technique.  This involves formally applying the 'mechanics of referencing'.  That is, putting author name, date, title, publication and other identifying features into the correct order, with the correct punctuation.  The purpose of referencing correctly is to:

• Make it easy for the readers of your work to locate where your research has come from.
• Attribute your sources.
• Demonstrate the breadth of your research.
• Demonstrate your critical thinking (choosing references which are relevant, current and scholarly).

Attribution of sources is part of demonstrating academic integrity in your work, and will help you to avoid plagiarism.

Fortunately, there are many resources to help you with the formal aspects of referencing.

Three steps to referencing success

      Watch the film   

This film is about referencing and referencing technique.   Nathan and Kim now have some good ideas about how to integrate their sources into their report.  The next step is to add the final polish with their referencing technique.   Watch this film (4:08 minutes) as Zorka guides you and the students through some tricky referencing dilemmas; explores how to avoid plagiarism and introduces us to the role of Turnitin.  

Good luck, Nathan and Kim and thank you Liz, Catherine (Search and Evaluate) and Zorka (Integrate and Reference).

Please note this video refers to the UniSA Harvard referencing style.  UniSA now recommends you use the APA 7 referencing style when citing references in your writing. More information on APA 7 is provided in the links below.   

     Skim the resources

How to reference using APA 7 (Author prominence and Information Prominence)

UniSA Referencing Guide

APA 7 Referencing Style Guide

    Take the quiz

This quiz has been designed to test your understanding about the principles and mechanics of referencing. There is a total of six multiple choice or 'drag and drop' questions. You can attempt the quiz as many times as you like and you will receive immediate feedback.   Best of luck!