Citation & Referencing
What is a reference?
A reference comprises details of the source of information you used in writing your essay. Each source of information (reference) you use is added to the works cited list (or bibliography), which is simply an organized list of the references used in your essay.
What is a citation?
A citation is the device you use to show exactly in your text that you have used the ideas, concepts or words of another person to inform your thinking and writing.
What is a referencing style/system?
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A referencing style or system is a set of procedures which you need to follow to accurately identify (for the reader of your essay - the examiner) the sources you have used to help you progress your thesis statement or line of argument, as identified in your essay.
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There are several systems. The IB does not specify which one you should use, but does require that you follow your chosen system consistently.
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Studyweb has a good page of information about how and when to cite and reference, and identifies different referencing styles available to you.
Use the MLA guides produced by the ASH HS Library
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Referencing style for your Extended Essay
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As part of your Extended Essay, you are required to cite and reference according to a recognized style or system. There are several. It doesn't matter which one you choose, but you must use it consistently.
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ASH recommends MLA, though some supervisors may recommend another style, such as APA (especially for psychology).
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To help you, the school subscribes to Noodletools. In addition, there are various free web sites that you can register with, and which will help you with the formatting of references (there are also options in MacWord).
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For choice of a referencing style, speak to your supervisor and the High School Librarian for advice.
Whatever style you use, you need to:
1. apply it consistently.
2. decide where your in-text citation occurs.
3. Provide a works cited list or bibliography at the end of the essay. Remember that this list needs to be in alphabetical order of references.
Noodletools
All ASH students have an account with the Noodletools (subscription model), helping you to cite and reference, as well as other functionality. A great help with organizing your resources.
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Other citation tools
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ASH has a subscription to Noodletools, so you have access to additional functionality, not available on the free version.
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If, however, you prefer to use a different tool, perhaps look at https://www.mybib.com/
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You should use a citation tool, and it is recommended that you add your references as you go along - don't wait until the end of the Extended Essay process to produce your list of works cited or bibliography.
Citation tool in databases
Subscription databases typically include citation tools. For instance, there is a "Cite" button for each item on the JSTOR search results. If you click on the button, you can either copy and paste the citation or download it to Noodletools. A similar tool exists in other databases.
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Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is an excellent online resource to help with academic writing (essay-writing), and provides information about three common referencing styles: APA, MLA, and Chicago.
Annotated bibliography
It can be helpful to develop an annotated bibliography to help your research. An annotation is a critical appraisal of the source of information you've used. You can also say why you've chosen the item, in your annotation. More information about how to make an annotated bibliography is here.
Common mistakes
Some students use a free online citation generator to help you with your Works Cited list. However, when you import the Works Cited list into your text document, you still need to check the items. Marks are awarded for the bibliography and citations, so it is worth your while to check for accuracy. Here are some common errors that students make (in MLA style), and what you can do about it.
What the IB says about referencing
References, citation, works cited: terminology
Note that IB documentation tends to use the term 'bibliography'. Please bear in mind, though, that most students and faculty at ASH follow the MLA style, where the preferred term for bibliography is "Works Cited". Some students undertaking an extended essay in psychology, may be advised to use the APA system. If this is the case, the term used is Reference list.
Research ...
From the IB Extended Essay website.
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Research and academic honesty/integrity
The screen-shot in the first column is from the IB Extended Essay website and shows that academic integrity/honesty is a crucial part of the research and writing process for the extended essay.
Reference only sources of information you have used
The IB Extended Essay Guide specifically says that you can only cite and include in your Works Cited list items you have actually used in your essay.
What in-text and work cited page looks like in MLA
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Citing a source of information I have not seen
Citing an indirect source
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Students sometimes need to cite a source of information which is only referred to in another (second) source of information.
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In other words: you want to reference Source A. However, you’re not able to see Source A for yourself. You have read about it in Source B. You should aim to see all the sources you reference in your work. However, occasionally, it is not possible to see a particular source, but you have read about it in another source, and you need to use it.
What should you do?
In the MLA referencing system, this is called citing an indirect source, and this what you do:
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In your works cited list, you reference Source B, i.e. the source you have seen or read.
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In your text, you identify that Source A is referred to in Source B. If it is a quote, then use qtd. as an abbreviation for quoted, such as (qtd. in Obama 453). This in text citation shows that the quote you have used appeared in a book by Obama, on page 453. If you paraphrase rather than quote something, use (cited in Obama 453).