How to Reference:
HARVARD SYSTEM

We prefer students to use the Harvard referencing style for academic work. This system ensures that sources are properly credited, making your research more credible and professional. If you are already familiar with another style, such as APA, you may use it as long as you are consistent and accurate.

This section will guide you through the Harvard style by explaining:
✔ How to use in-text citations.
✔ How to format a reference list.
✔ Common rules and examples.

What is Harvard Referencing?

Harvard referencing consists of two main components:

1. In-text citations – Brief references within the body of your text to show where you found your information.
2. A reference list – A detailed list at the end of your work, showing full details of all sources you cited.

In-text citations indicate where a source has been used for a fact, opinion, or idea. They are placed within the sentence or paragraph where the information is used.

Rules for In-Text Citations in Harvard Style

• Use only the author’s surname (no initials) and the year of publication.

Example: (Smith 2015)

• If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the year in brackets.

Example: Smith (2015) found that heart rate increased during anaesthesia.

• If two or more authors have the same surname, include initials to differentiate them.

Example: Jones A (2013) argued that… while Jones F (2010) disagreed.

• Page numbers are included when quoting directly from a source.

Example: (Brown 2018, p. 42)

• Do not include URLs in in-text citations for websites. The full URL belongs in the reference list.
• Placement of in-text citations inside brackets before the concluding punctuation:

✅ Correct: “…this was proven by Jefferson (1985).”

❌ Incorrect: “…this was proven by Jefferson. (1985)”

Examples of In-Text Citations (Harvard Style)

✔ Citing a Single Author:

Dogs require balanced nutrition to maintain good health (Jones 2017).

Jones (2017) states that balanced nutrition is essential for canine health.

✔ Citing Two Authors:

Proper handling techniques in grooming salons reduce stress and improve behaviour in dogs (Taylor & Green 2019).

Taylor and Green (2019) found that regular grooming significantly improves skin and coat health in dogs.

✔ Citing Three or More Authors:

First citation: Social housing in shelters has been shown to reduce anxiety in cats (Brown, Smith & Taylor 2020).

Subsequent citations: Brown et al. (2020) emphasise that group housing, when well-managed, improves feline welfare in shelters.

✔ Citing a Direct Quote:

"Proper handling techniques reduce stress in shelter animals" (White 2016, p. 85).

White (2016, p. 85) stated that "proper handling techniques reduce stress in shelter animals."

✔ Citing a Website with No Author:

Regular dental check-ups are crucial in preventing periodontal disease in small animals (RSPCA 2023).

According to the RSPCA (2023), regular dental care is an essential part of responsible pet ownership.

What is a Reference List?

A reference list is a section at the end of your academic work that contains a complete list of only the sources you cited in your work.

Key Rules for a Reference List:

✅ Includes only the sources you directly cited in your text.
✅ Placed at the end of your document under the heading "References".
✅ Entries must follow Harvard formatting rules (author, year, title, etc.).
✅ Arranged alphabetically by the surname of the first author.
✅ If multiple works have the same author, list them chronologically (earliest first).
✅ Each entry must start on a new line and use a hanging indent (second and subsequent lines are indented).
✅ No bullet points or numbering.

Example of a Reference List (Harvard Style):

Jones, P 2015, Veterinary Nutrition: An Evidence-Based Approach, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Taylor, R & Green, L 2019, ‘Pain management in rabbits: A review of current practices’, Journal of Animal Care Research, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 45-60.

RSPCA 2023, Understanding dog behaviour, RSPCA Knowledgebase, viewed 12 January 2024, https://kb.rspca.org.au.

What is a Bibliography?

A bibliography is a list of all the sources you consulted while researching your topic, including:

• Sources you read for background information but did not cite.
• Studies, books, or articles that helped shape your ideas but were not directly referenced in your work.

For most assessments, you wont need to include a bibliography, just a reference list.

Key Rules for a Bibliography:

✅ Includes all materials you consulted, not just the ones you cited.
✅ Placed at the end of your document under the heading "Bibliography".
✅ Uses the same Harvard formatting rules as the reference list.
✅ Arranged alphabetically by author surname.
✅ Each entry must start on a new line and use a hanging indent (second and subsequent lines are indented).
✅ No bullet points or numbering.

Example of a Bibliography (Harvard Style):

AVMA 2022, Best practices in animal shelter medicine, American Veterinary Medical Association, viewed 8 February 2024, https://www.avma.org.

Brown, K 2020, ‘The effects of diet on feline renal disease’, Journal of Veterinary Nutrition, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 67-79.

Jones, P 2015, Veterinary Nutrition: An Evidence-Based Approach, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

RSPCA 2023, Understanding dog behaviour, RSPCA Knowledgebase, viewed 12 January 2024, https://kb.rspca.org.au.

Smith, J 2018, Advances in Canine Orthopaedic Surgery, Wiley, London.

Taylor, R & Green, L 2019, ‘Pain management in rabbits: A review of current practices’, Journal of Animal Care Research, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 45-60.