HARVARD REFERENCING SYSTEM

REFERENCING CHEAT SHEET

Remember:

We will not deduct marks if you get your referencing format a little wrong, as long as we can see you have made a good effort to reference correctly.

To help you with your studies, we have compiled this referencing cheat sheet. Click on a reference source below to see in-text citation and reference list examples.

CiteMaker.com is a useful Harvard reference generator.

For all of the following formats, take note of the punctuation and italic texts, as these are crucial parts of the formatting of references. Examples for each category of reference are supplied below:

This textbook has many different authors for each different chapter, and overall editors for the book.

The editors are listed on the front cover and the authors are listed under each chapter title in both the index and the first page of each chapter.

Reference List Note:
For each chapter you use, you must include a reference as the authors vary depending on chapters. The chapter authors are whom you reference to, and the edits appear after the actual textbook name.

Chapters will have varying numbers of authors, please refer to:

  • Textbooks – 1 Author
  • Textbooks – 2 Authors
  • Textbooks – 3+ Authors

In-Text Citation:

When writing factual information:

Format: (Surname, Publication date, Page number).

Maintenance of a clean theatre environment, using good aseptic techniques, will help to prevent infection of clean surgical wounds (Young & Gerrish, 2020, p.748).

When using the author name/s as part of a sentence:

Format: Sentence including Author name (Publication date, Page number).

According to Young & Gerrish Sepsis can be defined as the presence of pathogens in the blood or tissues of an animal (2020, p.748).

Reference List entry:

Format: Surname, Initial. Publication date, Chapter Title, in Title of textbook. Edition number. Editor surname, initial. Publisher, Place of publication.

Example:

Young, A. and Gerrish, J. 2020, Theatre Practice, in BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. 6th Edition. Cooper, B., Mullineaux, E. and Turner, L. BSAVA, Gloucester UK.

This textbook has two authors. The last chapter (on Horses) however has different authors, so you would apply the rules explained in BSAVA.

In-Text Citation:

Format: (Surname, Publication date, Page number).

Bone is capable of remodelling and repairing itself when injury occurs as it is a living tissue (Aspinall & Cappello, 2009, p.19).

Reference List entry:

Format: Surname, Initial. Publication date, Title of textbook. Edition number. Editor surname, initial. Publisher, Place of publication.

Example:

Aspinall, V. and Cappello, M. (2009) Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology. 3rd Edition. Butterworth Heinemann, UK.

The Learner Guide is essentially referenced in the same way as a text book. Learner’s Guides should be referenced to the Author of the Subject (on the first page), unless it is a replicated chapter from a textbook, in which case you reference the Textbook and Author (as below).

If there are multiple authors, the formatting will also match the Textbook with multiple authors shown below.

In-Text Citation:

If summarising information in a factual way, and not referring to the authors as part of your sentence:

Format: (Surname, Publication date, Page number).

You must adjust your restraint technique to suit the different animals as they all require different techniques (Phillips & Woolley, 2022, p.6).

When using the author name/s as part of a sentence:

Format: Sentence including Author name (Publication date, Page number).

As discussed by Phillips & Woolley (2022, p.42) there are many pieces of restraint equipment available, and the most common is a slip lead.

If referring to something discussed over several pages, that you have summarised:

Format: Sentence/summary (Surname, Publication date, Page number).

... (Phillips & Woolley, 2022, p.6-10)

Reference List entry:

Format: Surname, Initial. Publication date, Title of Learner Guide. Publisher, Place of publication.

Example:

Phillips, H. and Woolley, N. 2022, Safe Animal Handling Techniques. Veterinary Nurse Solutions Pty Ltd, VIC Australia.

NOTE: Each Learner Guide is only listed ONCE in the end list, and you do not need to include the Topic or Page numbers.

When using a textbook that has a single Author (not an editor with all the chapters written by different people like BSAVA does).

This example uses ‘Low Stress Handling, Restraint & Behaviour Modification of Dogs & Cats’ by Dr Sophia Yin – chapter excerpts are included in your Safe Animal Handling Techniques Learner Guide.

In-Text Citation:

Factual writing:

Format: (Surname, Publication date, Page number).

When removing a dog from their kennel you need to stand at the door side on, facing the door hinge (Yin, 2009, p.160).

Stated by or opinion:

Format: Sentence including Author name (Publication date, Page number).

In her Low Stress Book, Dr Yin (2009, p.160) recommends that you stand side on facing the door hinge when removing a dog from a run.

Reference List entry:

Format: Surname, Initial. Publication date, Title of Textbook. Publisher, Place of publication.

Example:

Yin, S. (2009) Low Stress Handling, Restraint & Behaviour Modification of Dogs & Cats. Cattle Dog Publishing, USA.

This example uses ‘Animal Biology & Care’ by Sue Dallas and Emily Jewell.

In-Text Citation:

Factual writing:

Format: (Surname, & Surname, Publication date, Page number).

Turtles that are housed outdoors may suffer from fly infestations in summer (Dallas & Jewell, 2014, p.161).

Stated by or opinion:

Format: Sentence including Author name (Publication date, Page number).

Dallas and Jewell (2014, p.161) inform us that turtles that are housed outdoors may be subject to fly infestations in summer.

Reference List entry:

Format: Surname, Initial. & Surname, Initial. Publication date, Title of Textbook. Publisher, Place of publication.

Example:

Dallas, S. & Jewell, E. 2014, Animal Biology & Care. Wiley Blackwell, UK.

This example uses ‘Animal Restraint for Veterinary Professionals’ by CC Sheldon, Teresa Sonsthagen and James A. Topel.

In-Text Citation:

When there are three or more authors, the first time you reference them, you list all the authors:

Format: (Surname, Surname & Surname, Publication date, Page number).

When restraining a dog for a rectal examination, you can grasp the tail near the base instead of placing your hands between the back legs unless the vet wishes to hold the tail himself or herself, then you should support the dog by placing your arms under the leg (Sheldon, Sonsthagen & Topel, 2006, p. 73).

The second, and subsequent, times you reference the same authors later in your assessment you can shorten the reference like this:

Format: (Surname et al., Publication date, Page number).

A slip lead, also called a rope leash, is generally made of nylon rope and has a ‘noose’ like loop on one end and a handle on the other (Sheldon, et al., 2006, p. 101).

Reference List entry:

Format: Surname, Initial., Surname, Initial. & Surname, Initial. Publication date, Title of Textbook. Publisher, Place of publication.

Example:

Sheldon, C., Sonsthagen, T. & Topel, T. 2006, Animal Restraint for Veterinary Professionals. Mosby Elsevier, UK.

Journal Articles with 1, 2 or 3+ authors will follow a similar format to the textbook examples. We do need to find some additional information about Journal Articles though, including the Title of the Journal or Periodical the Article was found, the Volume and Issue number and page range of the article. This information will be printed on the Journal Article either at the start, end or in the footer of the document.

In-Text Citation:

Follows the same format as a textbook:

Format 1 Author: (Surname, Publication date, Page number).

Format 2 Authors: (Surname & Surname, Publication date, Page number).

Format 3+ Authors:

  • For the first time the citation is given: (Surname, Surname & Surname, Publication date, Page number).
  • For subsequent times: (Surname, et al., Publication date, Page number)

When restraining a dog for a rectal examination, you can grasp the tail near the base instead of placing your hands between the back legs unless the vet wishes to hold the tail himself or herself, then you should support the dog by placing your arms under the leg (Sheldon, Sonsthagen & Topel, 2006, p. 73).

Reference List entry:

The names of the authors will be formatted in the same way as textbooks with 1, 2 or 3+ authors. In this example there are 2 authors so the format and example are shown in this format.

Format: Surname, Initial. & Surname, Initial. Publication date, ‘Title of journal article’, Title of Journal or Periodical. vol. volume number, no. issue number, page number.

Example:

Andrews, M. & Roberts, D. 2003, ‘Supporting student nurses learning in and through clinical practice: the role of the clinical guide’, Nurse Education Today. vol. 23, no. 7, p. 474-481.

Website article and amount of authors follows the same rules as textbooks and journal articles. There will be no page numbers though as this is online.

In-Text Citation:

Follows the same format as a textbook for the author surnames:

Format 1 Author: (Surname, Publication date).

Format 2 Authors: (Surname & Surname, Publication date).

Format 3+ Authors:

  • For the first time the citation is given: (Surname, Surname & Surname, Publication date).
  • For subsequent times: (Surname, et al., Publication date)

Pet owners can become concerned with their dogs spending long periods inside during hot weather, the main concern being that extended periods inside may lead to issues relating to poor behaviour (Kogan & Eute, 2025).

Reference List entry:

Using our example above with 2 authors. Please note the link must be to the page of the website you viewed and NOT the homepage.

Format: Surname, Initial. & Surname, Initial. Publication date, Title of website page, Name of Sponsor Site if available, Accessed: access date. Available at <URL to the page you viewed>

Example:

Kogan, L. & Eute, A. 2025, Helping dogs beat the heat and surive extreme weather event, DVM360, Accessed: 9 September 2025. Available at <https://www.dvm360.com/view/helping-dogs-beat-the-heat-and-survive-extreme-weather-events>

When we have a website with no authors, instead of listing an author, the website name is given.

When we have no publication date for a website, we can use n.d. in the place of the date.

In the example below we have a webiste with no authors AND no date given!

In-Text Citation:

Format: (Website name, Publication date/n.d. if no publication date is provided)

A worker is responsible not only for their own safety but also any person/s who may be affected by their work (Safe Work Australia, n.d.).

Reference List entry:

Format: Website name Publication date/n.d. if no publication date is given, Title of website page, Name of Sponsor Site if available, Accessed: access date. Available at <URL to the page you viewed>

Example:

Safe Work Australia n.d., Duties under WHS laws, Accessed: 9 September 2025. Available at <https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/law-and-regulation/duties-under-whs-laws>

If you are using AI to assist in assessment writing, first familiarise yourself with the information in your handbook located here. Remember to include the link to your actual search and not the homepage of the website. In ChatGPT for example, a shareable link can be created which allows anyone to view the transcript from the chat, including inputs and responses.

In-Text Citation:

Format: (Author, Publication date)

A fear free approach to restraint of animals in the vet clinic aims to reduce fear, anxiety and stress leading to better outcomes in animal treatments (Open AI, 2025).

Reference List entry:

Format: Company. Publication date, Title of response/search, Accessed: access date. Available at <URL to the page you viewed>

Example: OpenAI. 2025, Explanation of Fear Free Handling in Veterinary Nursing, Accessed: 2 September 2025. Available at: <https://chatgpt.com/share/68b634d1-3068-8007-bbfa-86cfcc427b04>

A combination of the technique for referencing textbooks and websites is used here. We still need to include the website address to the document we are viewing, along with author names and page numbers if they are provided.

In-Text Citation:

Format:

  • With Author/s: (Surname, Publication date, Page number)
  • Without Authors: (Website name, Publication date, Page number)

When donning a sterile surgical gown you will need to have an assistant to help with tyring the gown (University of Bristol, 2017, p. 4).

Reference List entry:

Format:

  • With Author/s: Surname, Initial. Publication date, Title of document, Name of Sponsor Site if available, Accessed: access date. Available at <URL to the page you viewed>
  • Company. Publication date, Title of document, Name of Sponsor Site if available, Accessed: access date. Available at <URL to the page you viewed>

Example:

University of Bristol. 2017, Gowning, Accessed: 2 September 2025. Available at: <https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/vetscience/documents/clinical-skills/Gowning.pdf>

Video sources are commonly from sites such as YouTube, but may also be found imbedded in other sites. The style of referencing is similar to that of a website with some slight alterations.

In-Text Citation:

Format: (Company Name, Publication date)

Contact time is one of the key pillars of infection control in surgical preparation. Having strict protocols that staff follow can build patterns, a unified approach is preferred (Peninsula Vet, 2025).

Reference List entry:

Format: Company. Publication date, Title of video, Video Host Site, Accessed: access date. Available at <URL to the page you viewed>

Example:

Peninsula Vet. 2025, Infection control in a veterinary hospital – back to basics!, Vimeo,Accessed: 2 September 2025. Available at: <http://vimeo.com/1103977082?fl=pl&fe=vl>