OU Harvard guide to citing references
The examples here follow the Open University House Style Guide, which uses a version of the Harvard system of citing references, but some OU courses may use other referencing systems. Please check the details for your course before using this guide.
(Please note: this guide was revised in May 2010. Some of the advice on formatting references has been updated and will differ from the previous version).
1In-text citations
In the Harvard system, references in the text (in-text citations) are referred to by the author’s name and year of publication, for example:
It is stated that…(Bloggs, 2007) or Bloggs (2007) states…
If you are directly quoting material (i.e. using the exact form of words used in the original and putting the text in quote marks), you will also need to include the page number(s) of the quoted material in your in-text citation, for example:
Bloggs talks about ‘the importance of preparation’ for interviews (2007, p. 57).
This is also the case for quoting material for all the types of text referred to in the rest of this guide, unless page numbers are not available.
In the reference list or bibliography,items are listed only once in alphabetical order. In some cases you may refer to more than one publication by an author for a specific year. To help identify these different items for your in-text citation and reference list, you should add a letter of the alphabet to the year of publication, for example:
(Thomson, 2004a), (Thomson, 2004b) and (Thomson, 2004c)
where a, b and c refer to the order in which they are cited in your text.
When you come across a publication with 3 or more authors you only list the first author for the in-text citation followed by et al. For example:
(Jones et al., 2007)
but in the reference list or bibliography you would list each author in full.
2Reference lists
References in the reference list or bibliography give, in alphabetical order by author surname, full details of all the sources you have used in the text, for example:
Bourdieu, P. (1992) The Logic of Practice, Cambridge, Polity.
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) (2007) This Way to Better Streets: 10 Case Studies on Improving Street Design, London, CABE; also available online at (Accessed 12 February 2009).
Foucault, M. (1977) Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, Harmondsworth, Penguin.
Glaskin, M. (2004) ‘Innovation: the end of the white line’, Sunday Times, 22 August, [online], (Accessed 12 February 2009).
Goffman, E. (1959) The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, New York, Anchor Books.
House of Commons (2003) Hansard, 2 July, Column 407 [online], (Accessed 13 February 2009).
McNichol, T. (2004) ‘Roads gone wild’, Wired Magazine, issue 12.12, December [online], (Accessed 13 February 2009).
Ruppert, E.S. (2006) The Moral Economy of Cities: Shaping Good Citizens, Toronto, University of Toronto Press.
Shared Space (2005) Shared Space: Room for Everyone, Leeuwarden, Shared Space; also available online at 21 February 2009).
Thompson, K. (2003) ‘Fantasy, franchises, and Frodo Baggins: The Lord of the Rings and modern Hollywood’, The Velvet Light Trap, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 45–63.
3Secondary referencing
You may want to use a quotation or an idea from a source referenced in another work. You haven’t read the original, but have discovered it through a secondary source. This is known as ‘secondary referencing’. Ideally you should try to get hold of the original, but if you can’t then you need to make it clear in your work that you have not read the original and are referencing the secondary source, for example:
In-text citation: Bloggs, quoted in Smith (2007) states ‘I love chocolate’ (p. 4). Or
Bloggs, cited in Smith (2007), loves chocolate.
In the reference list you would provide details for the source you read it in e.g.:
Smith, J. (2007) Musings from Chocolate Lovers, Bicester, JFJ Press.
For secondary referencing of work cited in course units, see Section 7.
4Books, book chapters and ebooks
4.1Books
The correct format for referencing a book is: Author, A. (year of publication in brackets) Title of Book in italics, place of publication, publisher.
Example:
Chalke, S. (2003) How to Succeed as a Working Parent, London, Hodder & Stoughton.
In-text citation: (Chalke, 2003) or Chalke(2003) says…
4.2Book chapters
The correct format for referencing a book chapter – one written by a particular author and included in an edited book – is: Author, A. (year of publication) ‘Title of chapter’ in Editor, A. (ed) Title of Book, place of publication, publisher.
Example:
Mason, R. (1994) ‘The educational value of ISDN’, in Mason, R. and Bacsich, P. (eds), ISDN: Applications in Education and Training, Exeter, Short Run Press
In-text citation: (Mason, 1994) or Mason (1994) states…
4.3ebooks
The correct format for referencing an ebook is: Author, A. (year of publication) Title of Book [online],URL (date accessed).
Example:
Willie, S. S. (2003) Acting Black: College, Identity and the Performance of Race [online], (Accessed 10 April 2010)
In-text citation: (Willie, 2003) or Willie (2003) notes that…
4.4ebooks on ebook readers
The correct format for referencing an ebook used on an ebook reader (such as a Kindle reader) is: Author, A. (year of ebook publication) Title of Book[ebook], place of publication, publisher.
Example:
Matthews, D. J. (2010) What Cats Can Teach Us [ebook],London, Penguin.
In-text citation: (Matthews, 2010) or Matthews (2010) notes that…
As page numbers are not available on ebook readers, use the chapters instead for indicating the location of a quoted section:
In-text quotation: Matthewsnotes that ‘kittens are often delightful’ (2010, Chapter 6)
5Journal and ejournalarticles
5.1Journal article
The correct format for referencing a journal article is: Author, A. (year of publication)‘Title of article’, Title of Journal, volume, number, page numbers.
Example:
Thompson, K. (2003) ‘Fantasy, franchises, and Frodo Baggins: The Lord of the Rings and modern Hollywood’, The Velvet Light Trap, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 45–63.
In-text citation: (Thompson, 2003) or Thompson (2003) writes that…
5.2ejournal articles
The correct format for referencing an ejournal article is: Author, A. (year of publication)‘Title of article’,Titleof Journal,number, volume [online], URL (date accessed).
Example:
Virkus, S. (2003) ‘Information literacy in Europe: a literature review’,Information Research, vol. 8, no. 4[online], (Accessed 28 October 2003).
In-text citation: (Virkus, 2003) or Virkus (2003) states…
6URLs for ejournals
For electronic journal articles you are advised to put the name of the service the item is from, or the URL. Some databases and electronic journals provide persistent URLs. This is a URL that should get you direct to the article – use this if given. Other journal articles may have a digital object identifier (DOI). Again, this is a unique address to find the article and if you have this put that beside the ‘available from’ information. If neither of these apply, and your article is from a database, we would recommend just listing the name of the database you got it from. This is because if you copy the address from the database, it is unlikely to work for someone else using it to find the article.
7OU course materials
7.1Course texts
The correct format for referencing a course text is: The Open University as the author, (year of publication in brackets), course code plusCourse title (in italics, capitalise the first word of the course title only), unit, ‘unit title in single quotes’, place of publication, publisher.
Example:
The Open University (1984) T281 Basic physical science for technology, Unit 9, ‘Thermochemistry’, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
In-text citation: (T281, Unit 9).
7.2Copublished course texts
The correct format for referencing a copublished course text (i.e. a text produced by The Open University and another publisher together) is: Author, A. (year of publication in brackets), Title of Book in italics, place of publication of first publisher, publisher/place of publication of second publisher, publisher.
Example:
Hall, S. and Gieben, B. (eds) (1992) Formations of Modernity, Cambridge, Polity Press/Milton Keynes, The Open University.
In-text citation: (Hall and Gieben, 1992) or Hall and Gieben (1992) claim...
7.3Course readers
The correct format for referencing a course reader (i.e. a collection of previously published articles) is: Author, A. (year of publication of reader) ‘Title of article’ in Editor, A. (ed) Title of Reader, place of publication, publisher.
Example:
Hall, S. (2000) ‘Who needs ‘identity’?’ in du Gay, P., Evans, J., and Redman, P. (eds) Identity: a Reader, London, Sage.
In-text citation: (Hall, 2000) or Hall (2000) states…
7.4Course DVDs
The correct format for referencing a course DVD is: The Open University as the author, (year of publication in brackets), course code plusCourse title (in italics, capitalise the first word of the course title only), ‘DVD number and title’, place of publication, publisher.
Example:
The Open University (2008) T320 E-business technologies: foundations and practice, ‘DVD 1: video case studies’, Milton Keynes, The Open University
In-text citation: (T320, DVD1).
7.5Secondary referencing of work cited in course units
If you wish to cite an author whose work is discussed in a course unit but you haven’t read the original, you need to make this clear in what you write. For example:
In text citation: ‘Porter (cited in B820, Unit 2, p.19) identifies…’
In this example, citing Porter without a date is taken to mean that Porter’s original work has not been consulted.
In the references list you would provide details only for the source you have actually read:
The Open University (2006) B820 Strategy, Unit 2, ‘Analysing the external environment’, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
8Newspaper articles: print and online
8.1Newspaper: print
The correct format for referencing a printed newspaper article is: Author, A. (year of publication)‘Title of the article’,Title of the Newspaper, date, page number.
Example:
Mackay, C. (2002) ‘Alert over big cat’, The Daily Mirror, 4 July, p.28.
In-text citation: (Mackay, 2002) or Mackay (2002) states…
8.2Newspaper: online
The correct format for referencing an online newspaper article is: Author, A.(year of publication)‘Title of the article’,Title of the Newspaper, date, [online] URL (date accessed).
Example:
MacLeod, D. (2007) ‘Oxbridge trainee teachers twice as likely to get jobs’, Guardian, 3 August, [online] (Accessed 3 August 2007).
In text citation: (MacLeod, 2007) or MacLeod (2007) states…
9Reports
The correct format for referencing a report is: Author, A.(year of report), Title, Issuing Organisation, report number.
Example:
Halliday, J. (1995) Assessment of the accuracy of the DTI’s database of the UK wind speeds, Energy Technology Support Unit, ETSU-W-11/00401/REP.
In-text citation: (Halliday, 1995) or Halliday (1995) states…
10Conference papers
The correct format for referencing a conference paper is: Author, A.(year of publication)‘Title of paper’, Title of Conference, location, date of conference, place of publication, publisher, page numbers.
Example:
Jones, J. (1994), ‘Polymer blends based on compact disc scrap’, Proceedings of the Annual Technical Conference – Society of Plastics Engineers, San Francisco, May 1–5 1994, Brookfield, CT, Society of Plastics Engineers, pp. 2865–7.
In-text citation: (Jones, 1994) or Jones (1994) states…
11Theses
The correct format for referencing a thesis is: Author, A.(year of submission)Title: Subtitle, Degree Statement, place of publication, awarding institution.
Example:
Morishita, M. (2003) Empty museums: Transculturation and the development of public art museums in Japan, Unpublished PhD thesis, Milton Keynes, Open University.
In-text citation: (Morishita, 2003) or Morishita (2003) claims…
12Online documents, personal sites, blogs, podcasts and wikipedia
12.1Online documents
The correct format for referencing an online document is: Author, A.(year of publication if given)Title of Document[online],place of publication, publisher, URL (date accessed).
Example:
Spitzer, K. L., Eisenberg, M.B. and Lowe, C. A. (1998) Information Literacy: Essential Skills for the Information Age[online],Syracuse, NY, ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology, Syracuse University (ED 427 780) (Accessed 28 October 2003).
In-text citation: (Spitzer et al., 1998) or Spitzer et al. (1998) state…
12.2Personal or organisationalwebsites
The correct format for referencing a personal or organisational website is: Author, A (year of publication/last updated)Title of Website [online], URL (date accessed).
Example:
Open University Library (2005) Welcome to the Open University Library [online], (Accessed 2 February 2010).
In text citation: (Open University Library, 2005) or Open University Library (2005) states…
12.3Blogs
The correct format for referencing a blog is: Author, A.(year of publication/last updated),‘Title of message’,Title of Website,day/month of posted message [online], URL (date accessed).
Example:
Sloniowski, L. (2005) ‘Because sharing is nice’, Information Literacy in Canada, 30 June [online], (Accessed 2 February 2009).
In text citation: (Sloniowski, 2005) or Sloniowski (2005) states…
Note: Some blog authors may choose to remain anonymous by using an alias. Use this instead of surname and initials if that is all that is available.
12.4Podcasts
The correct format for referencing a podcast is: Title of podcast(year of publication), podcast type, podcaster, place of podcast [online], URL (date accessed).
Example:
The wings of a butterfly (2005), podcast radio programme, ABC Radio National, Sydney [online], (Accessed 16 September 2005).
In text citation: (The wings of a butterfly, 2005) or in The wings of a butterfly (2005) it is said…
12.5Wikipedia
The correct format for referencing a Wikipedia entryis: Author, A (year of publication/last updated) Title of entry [online], URL (date accessed).
Example:
Wikipedia (2009) Hawaiian tropical rainforests [online], (Accessed 5 October 2010).
In text citation: (Wikipedia, 2009) or Wikipedia (2009)
13Images: online images and works of art
13.1Online images
The correct format for referencing an online image is: Title of Image (year of publication) [online], URL (date accessed).
Example:
Mary of Modena, fleeing with her son James Francis Edward Stewart (c.1688) [online], (Accessed 2 February 2006).
In text citation: When looking at the image Mary of Modena, fleeing with her son James Francis Edward Stewart (c.1688), it is obvious that…
13.2Works of art
The correct format for referencing a work of art is: Artist, A. (year of production),Title of Image, medium, size, location.
Example:
Horan, D. (2002)Kipper in the Cat’s Mouth, watercolour, 20 x 30 cm, National Gallery, London.
In text citation: (Horan, 2002) or Horan (2002) demonstrates…
14Messages: emails and forums
14.1emails
The correct format for referencing an email is: Author, A. (date of message)‘Subject of message’, email to recipient’s name.
Example:
Knight, C. J. (29May 2007)‘Cumbrian windfarms’, email to J.Q.Parker-Knoll.
In text citation: (Knight, 2007) or Knight (2007) states…
Note: You should always check with the author of the email that they are happy for you to use the content of the email before using the material.
14.2Forum messages
The correct format for referencing a forum message is: Author, A. (date of message)‘Subject of message’ message to Name of the Forum.
Example:
Burrage, R. (10 August 2004) ‘Virus information’, message to OU Service News.
In text citation: (Burrage, 2004) or Burrage (2004) states…
Note: You should always check with the author of the forum message that they are happy for you to use the content of the forum message before using the material.
15Audiovisual material: TV programmes, films and YouTube
15.1TV programme
The correct format for referencing an TV programme is: Title of Programme (year)channel, date of transmission.
Example:
The Apprentice (2008) BBC1, 11 June.
In text citation: Sir Alan Sugar (The Apprentice, 2008) exemplifies…
If you are accessing the programme online, e.g. via BBC iplayer, then you would amend the reference as follows:
The Apprentice (2008) BBC1, 14 June [online], (Accessed 16 June 2008).
15.2Film
The correct format for referencing a film is: Title of Film, film,directed by Director Name, place of distribution, distribution company, year of distribution.
Example:
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, film, directed by Peter Jackson, New York, Newline Productions Inc, 2003.
In-text citation: The animation of the Ents (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, 2003)is a good example of …
15.3YouTube item
The correct format for referencing a YouTube item is: Title of Item (year of distribution), YouTube video, added by name of who uploaded it [online], URL, (date accessed).
Example:
Google Privacy: A Look at Cookies (2008) YouTube video, added by googleprivacy [online], (Accessed 12 June 2008).
In-text citation: Maile Ohye discusses (Google Privacy: A Look at Cookies, 2008)…
December 2010