Referencing and Writing Skills

Harvard System Method of Citation

In the Information School, you MUST use one of our approved Harvard citation methods in any work you submit. We currently allow two specific styles of Harvard referencing, and you must choose one for your peice of work, stick to it, and use it correctly.

Correct referencing may seem complex, but it is simple to get it right by following the comprehensive instructions provided on the Library Information Skills Resource:

Library Information Skills Resource: Harvard referencing for Information Studies

You will see two links on that page:

• "Harvard Referencing for the Information School" (bottom left)
• "APA Referencing for the Information School" (bottom right)

Level 1 undergraduate students MUST use the APA system.

All other students studying INF modules, choose either one guide or the other, and simply follow the instructions in your chosen guide exactly, to produce correct referencing in your work.

Bookmark the Library Information Skills Resource, and refer to it every time you write assessed work.

Correct referencing is vitally important, so if you encounter any difficulty with it, or you are unsure, always ask a member of academic staff for assistance. If you fail to use the citation method correctly, you will lose marks, and you may even commit plagiarism (see Unfair Means for more information).

Writing Skills

You will find a wide range of very useful writing skills on the University´s Information Skills Hub:

TASH

You may also find the following useful:

Guidance on use of English, grammar, punctuation etc:

• Grimond, J. (2001?). Research Tools: Style Guide [Online]. London: Economist. http://www.economist.com/research/StyleGuide/ [Accessed August 2008]
• Gowers, E. (1987). The Complete Plain Words. 3rd ed. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
• Kramer, M.G., Leggett, G. & Mead, C.D. (1995). Prentice Hall Handbook for Writers. 12th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Trask, R.L. (1997). The Penguin Guide to Punctuation. London: Penguin.
• Trask, R.L. (2002). Mind the gaffe: The Penguin Guide to Common Errors in English. London: Penguin. [is also relevant but not currently in the library]

Guidance on writing essays, reports and dissertations:

• Clanchy, J. & Ballard, B. (1998). How to Write Essays: A Practical Guide for Students. 3rd ed. South Melbourne: Longman.
• Cottrell, S. (1999) The Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke: Macmillan.
• Creme, P. & Lea, M.R. (2003). Writing at University: A Guide for Students. 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• Fairbairn, G.J. & Winch, C. (1996). Reading, Writing and Reasoning: A Guide for Students. 2nd ed. Buckingham: Open University Press.
• Hall, G.M. (ed.) (2003). How to Write a Paper. 3rd ed. London: BMJ Publishing Group. (This has a lot of medical related examples but the general principles are still useful. Available as an electronic book via http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/ebooks/htohz.html).
• Hart, C. (1998). Doing a Literature Review. London: Sage.
• Lindsay, D. (1995). A Guide to Scientific Writing. 2nd ed. Melbourne: Longman. (Includes advice about giving oral presentations).