When and where to use references?
What exactly is the importance of referencing? And in what portions of the thesis should you use references/in-text citations??
I am new to this whole concept of writing thesis and these points were just bugging me a bit, because I can’t really find much references. Everyone seem to emphasise on including references but actually, I am not that aware with its significance. Any inputs for the same?
Discuss your Dissertation 
davidbergeviin 7:47 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink |
Technically, you need to reference every time you write a point/idea which is not yours, but of another writer’s. Let’s say, you read something of worth in an article and you decide to write it in your paper in your words, then you need to cite that article, because those may be your words but not your ideas. So, wherever in your thesis, when you make such points, you mention the source of that information.
adamflindeers 7:54 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink |
References in a thesis are counted as highly valuable as it shows the amount of extensive research you have done. It means that you have thoroughly conducted your research. That is why it is so important.
terrywellch 11:33 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink |
The major use of referencing is in the literature review section of the thesis. You can find references using the computer and electronic databases on web such as EBSCO, Google Scholar, IEEE, Google Search Engine, online newsletters, existing thesis on this subject, peer reviewed journals, SANS report, NIST standard and other databases. Apart from these, you can refer books from your college library and also look into your supervisor’s work. I am sure you can find something there.
jackthomas01 12:34 pm on August 30, 2016 Permalink |
In a thesis, referencing is mostly done in the initial chapters: Introduction, literature review and research methodology. Analysis, results and conclusion are refereeing to your own findings, therefore, they don’t need references. However, discussion chapter is something where you put in a lot of references, which are again taken from the LR chapter. So yeah, that is all.
tappedward 10:35 am on August 31, 2016 Permalink |
Well, my supervisor asked me to put in at least 20 references in my literature review chapter. That is the most important chapter, which involves a lot of referencing. Now there are also various methods of structuring and referencing an LR such as the annotated form, the matric form etc. I think you should first consult your supervisor about it.
morry1 5:19 am on September 12, 2016 Permalink |
Hey thanks a lot guys for the response. What I am understanding is that I need to cite the source from where I take the facts. Is there a rule about what all references should be used and what all must not be taken?