Referencing
University referencing style guides to enable you to create citations and bibliographies in the style required by your programme.
About
Referencing enables learners to acknowledge the work of others, building on their own analysis of existing knowledge. It also enables learners to attribute sources by creating citations and generating accurate bibliographies.
These skills sit within a broad understanding of the legal and ethical context of information and help learners to manage their information and avoid plagiarism.
Correct referencing is an essential component of academic writing. Learn how to reference correctly in the style required by your programme, as well as how to avoid plagiarism, using the guides below.
Referencing style guides
The University referencing style guides adhere to the appropriate published standard, with interpretations of rules where required (such as an item type where no published guidance exists) made in a standard University style.
If you know your style, use links below, if you want to check the style used for your subject check the subject referencing styles.
Depending on your course or assignment, you may be asked to use different styles to those listed here. If in doubt, check with your tutors.
Harvard
This guide is based on the advice given in the Cite Them Right (2016) 10th rev. and expanded edition, with interpretations of rules where required made in a standard University style.
View guide as a Word doc (238KB)
View our QuickStart Harvard guide (Word doc, 150KB) for a shortened, easy to print version of the most frequently referenced items in the style guide.
AIP
This guide is based on guidance from the American Institute of Physics, with interpretations of rules where required made in a standard University style.
View this guide as a Word doc (379KB)
View our QuickStart AIP guide (Word doc, 364KB) for a shortened, easy to print version of the most frequently referenced items in the style guide.
APA 7th edition
This is the updated 7th edition of APA referencing. It adheres to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 7th edition, with interpretations of rules where required made in a standard University style.
View guide as a Word doc (247KB)
View our QuickStart APA 7th edition guide (Word doc, 152KB) for a shortened, easy to print version of the most frequently referenced items in the style guide.
IEEE
This guide adheres to the Publication Manual of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, with interpretations of rules where required made in a standard University style.
View guide as a Word doc (187KB)
View our QuickStart IEEE guide (Word doc, 149KB) for a shortened, easy to print version of the most frequently referenced items in the style guide.
MHRA Author-Date
This guide adheres to the Modern Humanities Research Association Style Guide: Third edition, with interpretations of rules where required made in a standard University style.
View guide as a Word doc (210KB)
View our QuickStart MHRA Author-Date guide (Word doc, 148KB) for a shortened, easy to print version of the most frequently referenced items in the style guide.
MHRA Footnotes
This guide adheres to the Modern Humanities Research Association Style Guide: Third edition, with interpretations of rules where required made in a standard University style.
View guide as a Word doc (216KB)
View our QuickStart MHRA Footnotes guide (Word doc, 148KB) for a shortened, easy to print version of the most frequently referenced items in the style guide.
OSCOLA Referencing
The Oxford University System for the Citation of Legal Authorities or OSCOLA referencing style is designed by Oxford University to accurately reference authorities, legislation, and a variety of legal materials.
It is widely used by Law Schools and legal researchers in the UK. This resource is from Cardiff University.
Vancouver
This guide adheres to the National Library of Medicine's Citing Medicine Style Guide, with interpretations of rules where required made in a standard University style.
View guide as a Word doc (397KB)
View our QuickStart Vancouver guide (Word doc, 364KB) for a shortened, easy to print version of the most frequently referenced items in the style guide.
How to reference
Visit How to Reference on StudySkills@Sheffield to access tutorials and videos to develop your understanding of referencing and how to avoid plagiarism.