Citing your sources (also called referencing) is an essential part of your academic work and is explained fully on our page Reference and avoid plagiarism.
Check with your tutors which referencing style you are expected to use for your assignments. Many courses use the Harvard system, including Philosophy, Politics and Modern Languages.
Harvard referencing - check Cite Them Right
Use Cite Them Right to check how to reference a wide range of sources (books, journal articles, web sites) in exactly the same Harvard style used at Brookes.
The Library also has a shorter printed guide to Brookes Harvard based on Cite Them Right that you can download (Word and PDF versions available).
What does Harvard referencing look like?
Cite Them Right has a Sample text and reference list using the Harvard style. This will help you understand what referencing should look like in your written work.
What other referencing styles might I need to use?
Some courses require different referencing systems. Check the relevant Course resource help page for further guidance:
- English Literature uses MHRA
- History and History of Art use Chicago
How do use sources in my written work?
Academic writing involves developing the skills of finding your own voice while also drawing on sources written by others. The resources below offer some practical tips. You can also book a tutorial with staff from the Centre for Academic Development who can advise you on using your sources in your academic writing.
- Bitesize video 5: What is paraphrasing and how do I use it?
- Centre for Academic Development Writing with sources and Paraphrasing
- Cite Them Right Online Setting out quotations and Paraphrasing
- How to use your reading in your essays by Jeanne Godfrey (print & eBook) has lots of advice on putting readings into your own words.
- Moodle: Academic Integrity - self-directed course
- Study skills: Writing essays, reports and other assignments: list of other useful online resources & books.
Can I use referencing or AI tools?
To find out more about the tools available on LibrarySearch, check this guide How to save and cite sources in LibrarySearch (Google slides).
EndNote and other referencing tools
- Endnote is a tool for storing and organising your references, and it will also work with Word or Pages to create a fully formatted bibliography from your reference library. Oxford Brookes Library offers guides, support and training with EndNote.
- Google Scholar and many databases offer options for formatting references in a particular style. There are also many other referencing tools and apps but be aware that not all Harvard styles are the same as ours. Make sure you check your references against Cite Them Right or the Library guide and amend them if needed.
Gen AI and referencing - the good and the bad
Take care when using chat tools as they will often invent plausible but non-existent references. These tools don’t carry out a search of the literature for you and they may generate references using real people, journals & words from titles, but which do not exist.
There are other AI tools like Research Rabbit, Keenious and SciSpace which are designed to help you to find literature and understand how different sources relate to each other. To find out more, check the Library page Use AI tools for research
Where can I get help with referencing?
If you have a Harvard referencing query, contact Library staff for help via live chat, by email or in person at the Help Zone
Remember to check the relevant Course resource help page for guidance if you need to use a different referencing style:
- English Literature uses MHRA
- History and History of Art use Chicago
Contact your Librarian for help with referencing.
You can book a tutorial with staff from the Centre for Academic Development who can help you to develop skills in using your sources in your academic writing.
