Referencing and plagiarism

Back to top

What is referencing and plagiarism?

Referencing

Referencing is an important part of academic work. It gives credit to the sources of information that you have used to write your work, and it provides your reader with enough information to find the sources you have used.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism means using someone else's work without acknowledging them. It often happens by mistake due to poor referencing. It is important to avoid.

Back to top

Cite Them Right (CTR)

Most modules taught at the Open University require students to use the Cite Them Right Harvard referencing style. You can refer to your module website or check with your tutor if you are not sure which style you need to follow.

Cite Them Right (CTR) is an online guide containing different referencing styles. It has lots of examples of how to cite different types of sources and helpful tutorials you can watch any time. New to CTR? The library has a video to help you navigate CTR.

CTR is online and interactive, if you prefer an offline experience the Quick guide to Harvard referencing (Cite Them Right) is for you. It includes some advice on the basics of referencing, as well as templates for the most common reference types and OU module materials. It can be easily printed.

OU Law undergraduate students should refer to the Quick guide to Cite Them Right referencing for law modules for guidance on using Cite Them Right Harvard and Cite Them Right OSCOLA.

There is extra guidance for Classical Studies students and tutors on The Classical Studies guide to referencing.

Cite Them Right Harvard can be used with reference management tools, like Mendeley. These tools can help you create your references in the correct format. You can find more information about these tools on the Bibliographic management page

Back to top

Need help with referencing?

If you are new to referencing it can be daunting. Help is available:

At your own pace

Cite Them Right Basics covers common referencing issues. Or check out the Referencing your sources pathway in Being Digital.

Live tutorial

We also have videos and live online tutorials about the why and how of referencing. For more details, see the Training and events page.

FAQ

Struggling to find the exact template that you need? The What if I cannot find the reference type I need in my referencing guide? page will help.

Don't forget you can also get help from the OU Library. We have a Library Helpdesk open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Back to top

Generative AI and referencing

Are you thinking of using any Generative AI tools (like Chat GPT) in your studies? Read the Generative AI for Students policy. This will help you judge if using a tool is appropriate. All the work you submit, must be your own and fully credited.

If you use Generative AI in your assignment you must reference and acknowledge it. Cite Them Right provides help on referencing Generative AI. In addition the OU requires you to add an appendix to your assignment that outlines your use of Generative AI. For more details see the Generative AI for Students policy.

Back to top

Other referencing styles used at the OU

• OU OSCOLA (Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities): visit  Law Postgraduate Home (requires login) for guidance.
• MLA: Modern Language Association (Online Writing Lab)
• MHRA: Modern Humanities Research Association
• If your module is still using OU Harvard, the OU Harvard guide to citing references (requires login) provides advice and examples to help you create references in this style.

Additional guidance is available for disabled students on referencing accessible formats.

Back to top

Turnitin at the Open University

If your module has provided you with access to Turnitin to check your assignments, you can find help and guidance on the Computing Guide.

Please note: the library helpdesk is not able to help students or staff with Turnitin queries. Please refer to the resources available on the Computing Guide.