Notes on Referencing and Plagiarism

General Principles:

(1) It is very important that you meet your academic obligation to acknowledge the work of others. Every time you use someone else's idea in your written work, you must reference it.

(2) You may discuss your work with your classmates and with other professors. However, you must acknowledge their contributions. If someone helped you with general planning or editing the paper, you should acknowledge this at the bottom of the title page of the paper. If someone gave you specific ideas which you employ in your paper, you should reference that in a similar fashion to a book or scientific journal. Instead of citing the book title, etc., just say "personal communication with xxx".

(3) Make sure all sources are cited, included print and electronic sources and personal communications.

Style:

I don't make any specific stylistic requirements in terms of the method of referencing. I suggest you look at a journal in the field of your major and use the style employed in that journal.

Help:

If you have questions about plagiarism and referencing, please contact me or make an appointment with the writing center.