Referencing: Why is it important?

Aby D Blog Team



Citing and referencing correctly is an integral part of academic culture and demonstrates your academic integrity. You must give credit to the work of others because if you do not cite in-text or include the full bibliographical details, you will be investigated for academic misconduct at university. This may result in failing the assessment, the class, or being suspended or expelled from the university in extreme circumstances. 

In addition, referencing is also required in the workplace as employers increasingly require staff to acknowledge sources to avoid copyright infringement and meet the requirements of professional and accrediting bodies. 

What’s the difference between a reference list and a bibliography?

Reference lists only contain sources cited in the text. Each entry in the reference list must have a corresponding in-text citation.


Bibliographies contain all the works cited in the paper and other sources the may have read, but did not mention in the text.

Referencing styles

There are numerous referencing styles, and depending on the degree, major or class you enrol in will determine the style you will need to use. It is not uncommon for you to use two or three different styles before you graduate. However, if you understand how to reference, it is easy to go between the various styles. Some of the most common styles and the disciplines they are associated with include:
  • APA (American Psychological Association): Arts Business, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Psychology, and Sciences.
  • Chicago/Turabian: Arts, Business, Engineering, History, and Theology.
  • IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers): Computer Science, Engineering, and Information Technology.
  • Harvard: Arts, Business, and Engineering 
  • MLA (Modern Language Association): Arts and Humanities.
  • Vancouver/AMA (American Medical Association): Medicine and Health Science.

What tools can I use to help me reference?

Have you ever used academic referencing software? If you haven't here are some of the most widely used available.
  • Mendeley
  • EndNote
  • CiteThisForMe
  • Zotero 


These tools make the process of accurately citing and storing your references much easier.

Importantly, Abydos Academy has launched a module specifically on Referencing.
This course will help you:
  1. Understand the concepts of referencing and citing.
  2. Cite and reference with ease, recognise the major forms of referencing.
  3. Create references using the major forms of referencing systems.

Get access today for 20% off by using the code: ABYDBLOG.

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