The correct way to reference from a book is the surname and initial of the author, the date of publication, and the title of the book in italics, the edition, place of publication and finally the publisher. For example, Keown, J. (2002) . Cambridge: CUP. If there are two authors of the book both names must be written. If more than one author, et al can be added after the first authors surname and initial.
The third method of research this essay is going to look at is journals. Again these are similar to websites. Journals are generally up to date on the subject that is being researched, and will cover recent topics that are being discussed in the news and that people are researching. The problem with journals is that they are one person’s point of view on a certain subject, and could be very bias to one point of view. This means that their may be inaccuracies in the information, or some of it could be made up.
The correct way to reference from a journal is the surname of the author or authors, the year of publication, the title of the article, the title of the journal, the volume number, the issue number and the first and last pages of the article. For example Alemayehu E, Mooloy D, Guyatt G, Singer J et al. Variability in Physicians' Decisions on Caring for Chronically Ill Elderly Patients: An International Study. Canadian Medical Association Journal 1991, 144(9):1133-1138.
The final method of research is newspapers. The positives and negatives of newspapers are similar to that of websites and journals. Newspapers are updated everyday and cover recent topics. Many newspapers tend to be either left wing or right wing, therefore making them bias on certain issues which do not allow fair opinion. These means that there will be inaccuracies in information gathered. Another negative of using newspapers is that some stories may be made up just to make headlines and to sell the newspaper.
The way to reference from a newspaper is similar to that of a book and journal, except that as with the journal the volume and issue numbers are not needed. An example of a newspaper reference is, Warnock M. (2008) Legalize assisted suicide, for pity's sake. The Observer. 19th October 2008:p22.
The two conventional systems of referencing this essay will look at are the Harvard System and Footnotes. The Harvard System is one of the most commonly used forms of referencing, and different institutions have different variations. The most common way to present it in the U.K is to put the author-date references with the year shown last and titles should now be underlined or in italics (Neville C, 2007). There are both pros and cons of using this system. One pro is that it is both easy to teach and therefore easy to teach (Neville C 2007). Another pro is that it is easy to carry out and there are no distractions such as adding footnotes or endnotes (Neville C 2007). The cons are that the citations can become ‘long winded’ and it is also ‘difficult to reference television, radio and other audio sources’ (Neville C, (2007) The complete guide to Referencing and Plagiarism, Open University, Maidenhead)
Footnotes or ‘running notes’ (British Standards) are another conventional method of referencing. This section of the essay will use footnotes to references to give a clear understanding of the way it works. This style of referencing uses bracketed numbers or superscript in the text, for example, Euthanasia can be carried out by giving a lethal injection or by not giving treatment to keep the person alive (1). The number is then referred to at the bottom of the page to inform the reader of the source of information. As with the Harvard Referencing system there are both pros and cons of this system. As there is a history behind footnotes, it arguably gives it a dignified presence(2). Another pro is that it allows the reader to immediately refer to the source, rather than having to turn to the reference or bibliography page(3). The most obvious disadvantage of this style of referencing is that the author is not able to go back and make any additions(4). Some people find that footnotes can distract them from what they are reading(5).
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BBC News (2006) Ethics of Euthanasia. Accessed 20th October 2008 from the World wide web:http://www.bbc.co.uk
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Neville C(2007) The complete guide to Referencing and Plagiarism, Open University, Maidenhead
- Neville C (2007)
- Neville C (2007)
- Neville C (2007)
In any institution, be that educational or research, there are certain rules that govern the use of information. These are called copyright or intellectual property law. Everyone should know these rules to avoid plagiarism. The rules do not allow anyone to use images, sounds, written words unless permission is given by the creator. The 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act states the duration as;
- For literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works
70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies.
If the author is unknown, copyright will last for 70 years from end of the calendar year in which the work was created, although if it is made available to the public during that time, (by publication, authorised performance, broadcast, exhibition, etc.), then the duration will be 70 years from the end of the year that the work was first made available.
- Sound Recordings and broadcasts
50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was created, or,
If the work is released within that time: 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first released.
- Films
70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last principal director, author or composer dies.
If the work is of unknown authorship: 70 years from end of the calendar year of creation, or if made available to the public in that time, 70 years from the end of the year the film was first made available.
- Typographical arrangement of published editions
25 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first published.
- Broadcasts and cable programmers
- Years from the end of the calendar year in which the broadcast was made.
Plagiarism is different to copyright laws. It is the process of trying to use other peoples work as your own. In universities and colleges, plagiarism is treated very seriously and pupils can be disqualified from exams and courses because of this. Many authors allow people to use their work as long as they are given credit for it and are listed in a reference page at the back of the work. Whenever words that are completely copied from a text are used, they must be enclosed in quotation marks.
Different sources of research have different copyright laws. The internet does not allow anything to be copied on to another website without the author’s permission. If someone wants to use something from a website they must refer to the ‘Terms of Use’ (Davies G 2008). For example, the BBC's terms of use state:
You may not copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, broadcast, transmit, make available to the public, or otherwise use bbc.co.uk content in any way except for your own personal, non-commercial use. You also agree not to adapt, alter or create a derivative work from any bbc.co.uk content except for your own personal, non-commercial use. Any other use of bbc.co.uk content requires the prior written permission of the BBC.
cited from Davies G. (2008) General guidelines on copyright.
For any printed sources of information there is a non-profit making company called CLA, who issues licences to schools, universities and businesses which allow them to copy some extracts from books, journals, magazines and so on (Davies G 2008). In general, the main limitations of the CLA licence are as follows: No copying may exceed 5% of the published volume or issue or, if greater than one complete chapter from a book, or one article from a journal or periodical, or a short story or poem not exceeding 10 pages in length published in the above listed countries. Davies G. (2008) General guidelines on copyright. In Davies G. (ed.) Information and Communications Technology for Language Teachers (ICT4LT), Slough, Thames Valley University [Online]. Accessed 14th December 2008 from the World Wide Web: .
So in conclusion all work should be reference to ensure that plagiarism does not occur, and to credit the original author on their work. The four main methods of research that this essay covered were websites, books, journals and newspapers. Although websites may sometimes be inaccurate they are one of the most useful sources of information to use in research projects, as they can gather information from a wide range of people and places. Books are generally accurate but are rarely used nowadays as the internet is so popular and easy to use. Journals and magazines have many similar pros and cons. They can both be bias as they are written from one person’s point of view, but they are up-to-date and cover issues that are talked about in modern life. They are useful to source information from years ago as they are available on the internet in achieves.
The two main referencing systems are the Harvard system and Footnotes. The Harvard system is generally used through out Britain and seems to be the easiest to learn and practice. Footnotes, whilst very traditional, can make pieces of work look quite messy, and they easily distract the reader from the subject being spoken about.
Finally, copyright laws are in place to protect authors and creators from their work being stolen. Any work being used must follow the copyright laws; otherwise people may face serious consequences. Different sources of information have different copyright laws, and these should always be looked at before and during use of materials.
Goessi, L . The pros and cons of using Yahoo! Answers to research your college papers. Accessed 14th December from the World Wide Web:
Davies G. (2008) General guidelines on copyright. In Davies G. (ed.) Information and Communications Technology for Language Teachers (ICT4LT), Slough, Thames Valley University [Online]. Available from: [Accessed DD Month YYYY].
Keown, J. (2002) . Cambridge: CUP.
BBC News (2002) News night, The Swiss Way of Death. Accessed 15th October 2008 from the World Wide Web: .
Alemayehu E, Mooloy D, Guyatt G, Singer J et al. Variability in Physicians' Decisions on Caring for Chronically Ill Elderly Patients: An International Study. Canadian Medical Association Journal 1991, 144(9):1133-1138.
