Referencing: Concept and Clarity for Effective Writing

"Referencing: Concept and Clarity" by Dr. Bhavin Chauhan explores the importance and methodology of referencing in academic writing. It defines referencing as a way to acknowledge the work of others used within one’s own research or writing, which supports the academic integrity of the work. The presentation discusses the ethical reasons for proper referencing, including preventing plagiarism and contributing to the body of knowledge by showing how one's work builds upon previous research. It also details different types of sources such as primary and secondary sources, and provides insights into effective academic writing, emphasizing clarity, precision, and formality.
Keywords:
Referencing in Academic Writing
Ethical Referencing Practices
Academic Integrity
Avoiding Plagiarism
Types of Academic Sources
Citation Guidelines
Primary and Secondary Sources
Intellectual Property in Research
Importance of Referencing
Academic Writing Standards

1. Referencing Concept and Clarity Dr. Bhavin Chauhan Communication Consultant and Founder of WORDLIFE Communication Consultancy Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education and Psychology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Blogger @ nonverbalwithme.blogspot.com [email protected] WhatsApp- 9979896161

2. Always Remember… My vocation and avocation should be united; Just like my two eyes make one sight. - Robert Frost

3. Vocation vs Avocation Vocation Avocation Not easy and not fun, hard and lonely Tremendous fun Word seldom flow Words just flow Need to re-re-rewrite No need to rewrite Prof writer establish a daily routine. If not work well, take a day off. Craft Art

4. Points to Ponder Professional writers establish a strong routine. Daily specific hours are spent. Always ask themselves: What am I trying to say? After writing: Have I said it? Refrain themselves from using unnecessary words, circular construction, pompous and verbose usage of language. In short, they try to be clutter-free. Clutter is a disease to writing. Simplicity is the boon to writing.

5. Delete/ Not to Use Every word that serves no function Every long word which could be a short word Every adverb carries the same meaning already in verb Every passive construction that leaves the reader unsure of who is doing what.

6. Clear Thinking= Clear Writing Clear thinking becomes clear writing. Both cannot exist without each other. No muddy thinker is a good writer of English. If the reader is lost, because usually writer has not been careful enough. Thinking clearly is a conscious act that writer must force on themselves. Writing is hard work. A clear sentence is no accident.

7. Uselessness of Useless USE! At this point in time- now Free up – free Personal friend of mine, her personal feeling, his personal doctor Currently/ at present time – now At present time, we are experience precipitation – It is raining Expectoration is forbidden – Don’t spit. Are you experiencing any pain? – Does it hurt? Waste disposal personal- garbage collector

8. Uselessness of Useless USE! Layoff people due to Covid - 19 – involuntary methodologies Missile crashed- impacted with the ground prematurely Civilian casualty – collateral damage Assistance- Help Numerous - many Individual –man or woman Remainder – rest Initial -first

9. Uselessness of Useless USE! Implement – do Sufficient – enough Attempt –try Referred to as - called With the possible exception of – except Due to the fact that- because He totally lacked the ability to – he couldn’t For the purpose of – for

10. Uselessness of Useless USE! Smile happily – using adverb which has same meaning in verb Tall skyscrapers – adjective which meaning is in noun Find out at least 5 nouns / 5 adverbs used unnecessarily. Repeat AGAIN

11. W riting in Academia is clear, concise, focused, structured and backed up by evidence. Its purpose is to aid the reader's understanding. It has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex and does not require the use of long sentences and complicated vocabulary.

12. Academic Writing Academic writing in English is linear, which means it has one central point or theme with every part contributing to the main line of argument, without digressions or repetitions. Its objective is to inform rather than entertain. It is in the standard written form of the language.

13. Features of Academic Writing Written language is relatively more complex than spoken language. Written language has longer words, it is lexically denser I t has a more varied vocabulary. Written texts are shorter, and the language has more grammatical complexity Complexity

14. Features of Academic Writing Academic writing is relatively formal. In general this means that in an essay you should avoid colloquial words and expressions. Formality

15. Features of Academic Writing In academic writing, facts and figures are given precisely. Precision

16. Features of Academic Writing Written language is in general objective rather than personal. It therefore has fewer words that refer to the writer or the reader. This means that the main emphasis should be on the information that you want to give and the arguments you want to make, rather than you. For that reason, academic writing tends to use nouns (and adjectives), rather than verbs (and adverbs). Objectivity

17. Features of Academic Writing Academic writing is explicit about the relationships in the text. Furthermore, it is the writer’s responsibility to make it clear to the reader how the various parts of the text are related. These connections can be made explicit using different signaling words. Explicitness

18. Features of Academic Writing Academic writing uses vocabulary accurately. Most subjects have words with narrow specific meanings. Linguistics distinguishes clearly between "phonetics" and "phonemics"; general English does not. Accuracy

19. Features of Academic Writing In any kind of academic writing, you must make decisions about your stance on a subject or the strength of your claims. Different subjects prefer to do this in different ways. A technique common in certain kinds of academic writing is known as ‘hedging’. Hedging

20. Features of Academic Writing In academic writing you must be responsible for and must be able to provide evidence and justification for, any claims you make. You are also responsible for demonstrating an understanding of any source texts you use. Responsibility

21. Features of Academic Writing Academic writing is well organized. It flows easily from one section to the next in a logical fashion. A good place to start is the genre of your text. Once you have decided on the genre, the structure is easily determined.. Organisation

22. Features of Academic Writing Academic writing is well planned. It usually takes place after research and evaluation, according to a specific purpose and plan. Planning

23. Types of Academic Writing Descriptive Analytical Persuasive Critical Each of these types of writing has specific language features and purposes.

24. Transition Words Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union worked with Germany. They partitioned Poland. In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently, France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany to partition Poland. However, Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

25. Learn to be Precise The first experiment yielded a positive result. However, the second experiment yielded a negative result. Nonetheless, the third experiment yielded a positive result, whereas the fourth experiment yielded another negative result. The first and third experiments yielded positive results, while the outcomes of the second and fourth experiments were negative.

26. Defining Referencing a way to acknowledge the contributions of other writers and researchers in your work.

27. Defining Referencing is the process of properly citing sources used in a study or project to give credit to their original authors and to allow others to locate and verify the information presented.

28. Defining Referencing It also gives credit to the writers you've borrowed ideas and words from.

29. Defining Referencing It shows your understanding of the topic, and gives supporting evidence for your ideas, arguments, and opinions.

30. Defining Referencing Referencing isn't merely a rule to follow—it’s a core component of being a good scholar.

31. The "Why" of Referencing Integrity and Intellectual Property When we cite sources, we acknowledge the ownership of ideas. Just as we respect physical property, failing to cite is like intellectual theft.

32. The "Why" of Referencing Building the Foundation of Knowledge Science and scholarship progress one step at a time. Referencing shows how your research fits into the larger conversation within your discipline. Imagine if every researcher had to "reinvent the wheel" – progress would be impossible!

33. The "Why" of Referencing Enhancing Your Credibility Careful referencing signals thoroughness and rigor to readers. It demonstrates that you are familiar with the existing knowledge base before making your own claims. Your arguments gain strength when they can be traced back to verified sources.

34. The "Why" of Referencing Avoiding Plagiarism Plagiarism is the most severe breach of academic ethics. It means presenting someone else's work as your own. Even with accidental plagiarism, consequences can be career-damaging. Proper referencing is your shield against such charges.

35. Let’s Check Your Understanding According to a recent study by Miller and colleagues (2023), social media platforms play a significant role in shaping young adults' perceptions of body image. The constant exposure to idealized images can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one's own appearance. This trend has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating among vulnerable populations. Identify which sentence(s) demonstrate proper referencing and which constitute plagiarism.

36. Answer Proper Referencing : The first sentence, which includes an in-text citation (Miller et al., 2023). Plagiarism : The second and third sentences. They restate ideas from the research without attribution, even though the wording is slightly changed.

37. Key Point to Emphasize Plagiarism is not just about copying word-for-word. It's the failure to give credit where credit is due, whether that's through direct quotes or paraphrased information.

38. The Ethics of Referencing Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Definition : Academic integrity involves honesty and responsibility in scholarship; plagiarism is the use of others' ideas or words without proper acknowledgment. Consequences : Can include academic sanctions, loss of reputation, and retraction of work. Prevention : Awareness and meticulous citation prevent plagiarism and uphold scholarly standards.

39. The Ethics of Referencing Quoting vs. Paraphrasing Quoting: Directly copying text, enclosed in quotation marks, used when original wording is crucial. Requires citation. Paraphrasing : Rewriting ideas in your own words to fit your narrative; promotes understanding and integration of material. Also requires citation. Ethical Use : Both methods require proper acknowledgment to the original source to maintain academic integrity.

40. The Ethics of Referencing Common Misconceptions Common Knowledge: Facts known by many or easily verified may not need citation, but err on the side of caution. Paraphrasing and Citation: Even if paraphrased, the original idea needs citation to acknowledge its source. Small Amounts of Text: Unique phrases or specialized terms must be cited, regardless of length.

41. Types of Sources Primary Sources : Direct evidence or firsthand accounts of events, experiments, or experiences. Examples include original documents (e.g., diaries, interviews, research reports) and creative works (e.g., artworks, novels). Examples : A diary from WWII (Anne Frank's "The Diary of a Young Girl"), a research article presenting original findings (Watson and Crick's 1953 paper on the structure of DNA), a speech (Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream").

42. Types of Sources Secondary Sources : Interpretations, analyses, or syntheses of primary sources. These include textbooks, articles reviewing multiple studies, and biographies. Examples : A textbook on European history discussing Anne Frank's diary, a review article summarizing research on DNA, a book analyzing Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches.

43. Useful Resources Google Scholar: Google Scholar is a freely accessible web search engine that indexes scholarly literature across various disciplines. It provides access to academic articles, theses, books, conference papers, and more. PubMed: PubMed is a free search engine accessing primarily the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics. It includes citations from biomedical literature, including articles, journals, and books. IEEE Xplore: IEEE Xplore Digital Library provides access to IEEE journals, conferences, and standards in engineering, computer science, and related disciplines. It is a valuable resource for researchers in these fields.

44. Useful Resources Scopus: Scopus is a comprehensive abstract and citation database covering scientific, technical, medical, and social science literature. It offers advanced search and analytical tools to track citations, authors, and research trends. Web of Science: Web of Science is a multidisciplinary citation database that covers a wide range of academic disciplines. It includes high-quality scholarly literature, conference proceedings, and more, with robust citation analysis features. JSTOR: JSTOR is a digital library providing access to academic journals, books, and primary sources in various disciplines. It is particularly useful for humanities and social science researchers. ProQuest: ProQuest is a multidisciplinary database platform offering access to scholarly literature, dissertations, newspapers, and more. It covers a broad range of subjects and provides advanced search capabilities.

45. Useful Resources https://extras.apa.org/apastyle/basics-7e/?_ga=2.63827631.1288434815.1583533566-1586768246.1548364338#/ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/handouts-guides https://www.youtube.com/c/scribbr-us https://resources.nu.edu/APAStyle/basics7thEdition https://libguides.ecu.edu/c.php?g=982594&p=7316507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VFFKgxj6pw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V-zLpTxIWA https://www.scribbr.com/category/language-rules/

46. Useful Software/Sites https://www.citethisforme.com/ https://www.easybib.com/ https://www.printwhatyoulike.com/ https://www.zotero.org/ https://www.mendeley.com/

47. Reasons to Use Referencing Software

48. Thank YOU! Dr. Bhavin Chauhan Communication Consultant and Founder of Communication Consultancy Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education and Psychology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Blogger @ https://nonverbalwithme.blogspot.com/ http://edutainmentwithbhavinchauhan.blogspot.com/ https://bhavinspirational.blogspot.com/ [email protected] WhatsApp- 9979896161