Choose a reference style
Molde University College recommend using the reference style APA 7th.
You can find examples of how to use the style at The official APA style website and The Citation compass. Other reference styles can also be used at Molde University College, if your supervisor recommends it.
Examples of other reference styles:
- Chicago 17, Author-date
- Harvard
Examples of Chicago 17, Author-date and Harvard can also be found at The Chicago Manual of Style and UCD Library's Harvard Style Guide.
What to cite?
All scholarly arguments that are not based on your own material, your own reasoning or your own opinions must be referenced in the text and cited in the list of references.
Examples of sources are:
- Books
- Journal articles
- Official reports
- Newspapers
- Online documents
- Previous work of your own*
- Etc.
More on Search & Write .
*) If using previous work of your own in a new exam or assignment, it must be referenced, or the work will be considered as self plagiarism. Plagiarism and self plagiarism are not allowed, please see Examination regulations, cheating and plagiarism.
Why do we cite?
In academic writing it is required that you cite your sources. Your references will reflect the scope of your work, and is one of the factors that will be taken into consideration when your assignment is graded.
When citing, you show that you:
- Acknowledge the work of others
- Are familiar with your subject
- Place your own work in an academic context
- Master the technique of citing
- Avoid plagiarism (You can read more about plagiarism on Search & Write )
Accurate referencing allows the reader to quickly:
- Retrieve the sources you have used
- Check your facts and verify your results
- Become better acquainted with the topic
A good technique in referencing allows you to easily retrieve sources that are used in others work.
Read more about why we cite on Search & Write .
How to cite?
Your sources should be given in such a way as to let the reader retrieve them easily. To follow correct referencing practice you need to mention the source in the text and provide complete information about the source in the reference list.
- Examples on how to cite The Citation compass and The official APA style website (references and quotations).