Referencing style guides
How to reference using different styles
A referencing style is a set of rules on how to acknowledge the thoughts, ideas and works of others in a particular way. Referencing is a crucial part of successful academic writing, avoiding plagiarism and maintaining academic integrity in your assignments and research. Watch an Introduction to referencing (YouTube, 3m43s).
Which referencing style should I use?
- Check your course profile or ask your lecturer what style you should use
- Some schools or disciplines use a standard style but it is still possible your lecturer may require a different style
- There is no standard style used across UQ
- Researchers submitting a paper for publication in a journal should check the journal's Instructions for Authors, which will normally be available on the journal's website
Referencing styles used at UQ include:
| Guides and information | Full name | About the style |
|---|---|---|
| ACS | American Chemical Society | Widely used in chemistry and related disciplines. |
| AGLC (4th edition) | Australian Guide to Legal Citation | The standard Australian guide for referencing in law. |
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|
American Psychological Association | The standard style used in psychology, but it is also widely used in other disciplines, especially in the social sciences. |
| Chicago Manual of Style | The Chicago Manual's footnote referencing system is widely used in the arts and humanities. | |
| CSE | Council of Science Editors | Widely used in the life sciences, and its provisions are also applicable to other scientific disciplines. |
| IEEE | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers | Widely used in the fields of electrical engineering and computer science. |
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Modern Language Association of America | Widely used in the fields of modern literature and linguistics. |
| UQ Harvard | Note: The UQ Harvard referencing style is no longer available. Please check with your lecturer for which style you should use. | |
| Vancouver | Vancouver is a generic term for a style of referencing widely used in the health sciences. |
Style and essay guides for particular schools and disciplines
The following schools have their own official referencing guides or preferred styles.
Note: You should still check which referencing style your lecturer prefers.
- Journalism — Use the ABC Style Guide with the preferred copy edit style for your School
- Music — School of Music Academic Writing Guide (Style Sheet) (PDF, 1.6MB)
Other referencing styles
These styles do not have a UQ Library referencing style guide but we have included links to key resources:
ACS (American Chemical Society)
Guide with examples
ACS Style guide from Murdoch University Library - based on the 3rd ed (2006)
Books available via the Library
- ACS guide to scholarly communication, 2020 - online
- The ACS style guide: effective communication of scientific information, 3rd ed (2006) - print
About the style
The style manual of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is in its third edition. It is widely used in chemistry and related disciplines. The ACS manual gives instructions for numbered referencing and also for in-text (Harvard style) referencing.
CSE (Council of Science Editors)
Book and PDF available via the Library
- Scientific style and format: the CSE manual for authors, editors, and publishers, 8th ed - print book
- CSE 7th ed, References - full details (PDF, 14 MB) - log in to UQ eSpace to access the PDF
About the style
The manual of the Council of Science Editors (CSE) is in its eighth edition. It was first issued in 1960 by the Council of Biology Editors and is still sometimes referred to as the CBE manual. It is widely used in the life sciences, and its provisions are applicable to other scientific disciplines also. The CSE manual recommends a numbered referencing system, where the reference list is arranged alphabetically by author and numbered accordingly.
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Guides with examples
- IEEE Reference Guide (PDF, 464 KB) - Version 11-29-2023. The guide outlines how to cite a variety of references
- IEEE Editorial Style Manual - a comprehensive editorial style manual, with a formal set of editorial guidelines, and other guides.
About the style
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the major professional body and publisher in the fields of electrical engineering and computer science. Their style manual is widely used in those disciplines. It uses a numbered reference list.
Additional information
Acknowledging and referencing specific formats
Suggestions for citing these formats, if there is not an existing rule in your referencing style:
Referencing software
EndNote referencing software is available for UQ students and staff to help automate your referencing. We have:
- a guide on how to use EndNote
- information on other referencing software.
EndNote has output styles for a variety of referencing styles used at UQ.
Other guides for your assignments and research
Subject - our librarians have selected key books, journals and databases to find articles and specialised resources for your subject.
How to find - techniques and resources to find specific information formats, including peer reviewed journals articles, theses and standards.
Research techniques - how to find, analyse and visualise research information and data.
Systems and tools for researchers - how to access and use particular systems and tools, including UQ eSpace and UQ Research Data Manager.