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).
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
The following schools have their own official referencing guides or preferred styles.
Note: You should still check which referencing style your lecturer prefers.
These styles do not have a UQ Library referencing style guide but we have included links to key resources:
ACS Style guide from Murdoch University Library - based on the 3rd ed (2006)
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.
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.
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.
Suggestions for citing these formats, if there is not an existing rule in your referencing style:
EndNote referencing software is available for UQ students and staff to help automate your referencing. We have:
EndNote has output styles for a variety of referencing styles used at UQ.
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.