Harvard (Author/Date) Style

Essentials

• This is an author-date style.
  It does not have references as footnotes and does not use a numbered referencing system.
• There are two key components:
  1. In-text citations, which appear within the text
  2. A reference list, at the end of the text
• Remember the in-text/in reference list rule:
  All references which are summarised in-text must be provided in full in the reference list; similarly, all references given in the reference list must be cited within the text.
• The citation should refer to the specific source from which the information has been taken. This will help determine the appropriate type of citation to be used. Some examples:
  • If you read a paper in the text version of a scientific journal, the appropriate source is a conventional journal reference.
  • If you had read the identical paper from the on-line version of the journal, then the appropriate citation is the e-journal, including the URL.
  • If the information was from an author who was cited within a paper written by another author, the first author is defined as a secondary source. The citation should be given for the primary source, ie the paper you actually read.
  • A consultant's report of laboratory analyses is downloaded from the Internet in PDF format and printed. This should be cited as an unpublished report and include the URL. The source was the WWW, not the original text report.
• Footnotes are only used to provide more explanation of a statement or concept given in the text. They should be used sparingly, if at all.
  If used, they should be numbered sequentially. Any references cited within a footnote are treated just the same as those cited in the main text.
• LFR recommends a general protocol which distinguishes between the list of references and a bibliography:
  • The list of references is given at the end of the text and provides full details of all references cited in-text.
  • Bibliographies are more extensive than reference lists. They provide references for a range of source, additional or background information for the topic covered in the text; references cited in the bibliography might not be cited in-text.
  • LFR does not accept the use of bibliographies for written assignments.
• Be consistent: whether using the author-date or any other system, keep a consistent citation style throughout the assignment. Readers and markers will much appreciate it.
• And remember - the main purpose of referencing is to acknowledge and identify the sources which you have used.
  It does not guarantee that the information, data or opinions in the reference are "true" (ie, inalienable absolute facts). Correct identification of references simply enables the reader to check on the original sources (should he or she wish) and reflect on your interpretation and use of them.

Do it yourself

At times you will faced with source material that is "new", unusual or not covered by this website. What should you do? Suggestions include:

1. Browse through the examples on this site. Find an example that is reasonably similar to the type of publication you want to cite and follow the basic structure given, amending where necessary.
2. Get the recommended Style Manual from the Library and check through for a definitive explanation or example.
3. Construct the citation yourself. Follow the general Who, When, What, Where conventions, then apply the preferred formatting and punctuation protocols.
   It will not be as difficult or lengthy a process as you might imagine. The experience gained definitely will build your skills in the regular use of citations in assignments.