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Manage your sources

Manage your sources

  • How should I reference the sources in my assignment?

How do I read (and write) a reference?

References consist of different types of information. This is an example for an article in a journal - created according to the Harvard method. A reference for a book will usually consist of information about the author, title, publisher, year of publication, and place of publication.

Are you in doubt about how you should refer to your sources?

Then perhaps Studypedia, (which is, however, primarily targeted at Arts students) can help. Try the page on "Referencing your litterature", the page on "Reference systems" or the page "Managing sources".

Standards and methods

Regardless of whether you manage your sources manually or with a reference manager, you will need to choose a method or standard for how they should appear. These standards are often called styles or output styles.  

An output style defines which information must be included in your references and citations. The style also defines how this information should be presented in your written work, both in the ongoing text and footnotes, as well as in the bibliography.

Which standard/output style should I choose? 

There are many different styles, and it can be difficult to work out which one to choose. 
Check your course description, your prospectus, your study portal or other relevant sources to see if there are any special requirements as to which output style/standard you should use in your referencing and bibliography. If there are no special requirements, you could ask your local library at AU library or contact your supervisor to ask whether he/she has a specific preference.  

The most important thing is that your references and bibliography are constructed uniformly throughout your assignment, and that there is consistency and your sources are valid.

Examples of output styles: 

Special conditions at AU

Reference management tools

Make it easy to manage your references - use a reference tool!

Students and staff at AU are free to use the following reference management tool that AU Library supports: 

Download EndNote

Need help?

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact AU Library, who will be happy to assist you with your questions.

Alternatively, you are always welcome to contact your local library i AU Library.

Revised 22.06.2021 - 
AU Library