We are here to help if you need any assistance with referencing
1. Attend one of our training courses. Get the basics with Reference with Confidence, hear about how software can help in 3 short videos on Tools for Consistent Referencing or drop into our Referencing Café with any questions.
2. Contact your department librarian who can offer advice or answer any questions on referencing. Contact your librarian by email or book a session through Student Hub.
3. Quick query on how to reference something? Use Cite them right to see how to reference a resource in a range of styles.
Why citing and referencing are important
Correct citing and referencing is an important academic skill. It demonstrates that you have read widely and have gathered evidence to support your arguments.
What is citing and referencing?
Citing means noting in the text where you quote, paraphrase or use an idea from someone else. Referencing means creating a list of the sources you have cited.
Listen to our screencast - Referencing: why, what, when and how of citing
Citing and referencing at LSE
- LSE does not have a single standard method for citing and referencing.
- Departments have different requirements so it is very important to check your student handbook or ask your academic supervisor to be clear on what is expected for your assignments and dissertations.
- Check which method you are required to use, footnotes or the in-text author-date (Harvard) method.
- Then you will need to use a single citation style to format your citation in your footnote or reference list.
- If your department has not specified the method and style then it is your choice. The emphasis is on consistency and not mixing methods and styles. Choosing a specific style will make it easier to find and follow rules for each reference.
- Looking at sample dissertations from your departments is useful. See LSE Theses Online.
Tools to help you cite and reference
- Cite them right is a website which contains advice on how to reference different resources, in a range of styles and provides a tutorial on citing and referencing practice.
- Reference management software can help you cite and reference consistently. Use software to collect, store and organise your references as you research. Then you can insert your citations using the software and build your reference list as you write your assignment.
- The most commonly used software at LSE are: EndNote, Mendeley and Zotero.
- Your department librarian can assist you in using the software.
Listen to our screencasts
Getting further help
LSE LIFE on Moodle provide additional materials and guidance on writing including quoting, paraphrasing and summarising in your own words.
If you have any referencing questions get in touch with your department librarian to discuss.