How to write a reference list

An important part of any research is the ability to source information from other
peoples work. This shows skills in research, interpreting and evaluating the
usefulness of information. It is important however to ensure that when the work of
another person is used, it is correctly acknowledged.
Please use the guidelines below to reference at least three reliable sources.
The Resource List
The examples below show the formatting requirements of different types of sources.
start your reference list on a new page with the title: References.
List your sources in alphabetical order based on the Authors surname.
For a Book:
Enter their surname, initial. (year of publication). Book title in italics. City that it
was published. Publishers name.
Example:
Cooper, G. (2003). The intelligent students guide to learning at university.
Altona, Australia: Common Ground Publishing.
For a website:
Enter the name of the author or department owning the website. (year). Name
of article in italics. Retrieved from http://www.websitename.com.au
Example:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. (2008). Early
childhood 0-8 (Fact sheet). Retrieved from
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/earlychildhood/default.html
For further guidelines please refer to pages 16 and 17 in the school diary.
Book
Authors surname
Authors initials
Year of publication
Book Title (Italics)
City that it was published.
Publishers name
Website
Authors
surname OR
name of
organisation

Name of
article (in
Italics)
Retrieved
from

Reference:

Authors
initials

Year of publication
or year when
website was last
updated

________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________
Website

Authors
surname OR
name of
organisation

Authors
initials

Year of publication
or year when
website was last
updated

Name of
article (in
Italics)
Retrieved
from

Reference:
________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________
Website
Authors
surname OR
name of
organisation

Authors
initials

Year of publication
or year when
website was last
updated

Name of
article (in
Italics)
Retrieved
from

Reference:
________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________
Website
Authors
surname OR
name of
organisation

Name of
article (in
Italics)

Authors
initials

Year of publication
or year when
website was last
updated

Retrieved
from

Reference:
________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________