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Referencing

What is referencing?

Referencing is an essential academic skill. It shows good practice, credits others’ ideas and work, and helps readers locate your sources.

You need to reference when:

  • you quote another person (or group of people) or copy images
  • you write about an idea which another person (or group of people) has created

You do not need to reference when:

  • you are writing about your own ideas (unless you have included them in a previous assignment)
  • the information you are writing about is common knowledge, for example: Northampton is the county town of Northamptonshire. 

Every reference includes:

An in-text citation

A reference at the end of your work

The references at the end of your work form your list of "References". Remember to cite and reference each source that you use.

Where can I find guidance on how to reference?

You can find guidance on how to reference for all of the major referencing styles on the Cite Them Right platform. Choose the option to "Login via your Institution".

In addition, your Academic Librarian will deliver sessions on referencing as part of your taught programme and you can also a book tutorial if you want further guidance.

Which referencing style should I use?

Most UON courses will require you to use Harvard referencing. However, some courses will require you to use a subject specific referencing style.

You should always check with your tutor which style they want you to use.

Below is a table showing which referencing styles are currently in use by particular subjects:

Subject Referencing Systems
Most programmes Harvard (Cite Them Right 13th Edition Harvard)
* Most programmes Harvard (UON Harvard) - pre-2025 entry students
Law OSCOLA
Psychology APA 7th
History MHRA 4th (* please see the History specific guidance)
English and Creative Writing MLA 9th
Fine Art, Painting and Drawing        Chicago 18th
Fine Art, Painting and Drawing Running Notes with Harvard - pre-2025 entry students

 

* Please note, from September 2025 the University will be using Cite Them Right Harvard, which will replace UON Harvard. However, if you are a returning student (pre-2025 entry) you can either use Cite Them Right Harvard or use UON Harvard if you prefer. The guidance for UON Harvard is still available on our web pages.

Cite Them Right Harvard is very similar to UON Harvard, but there are some small differences, so we have created a comparison table showing the key differences.