In technical writing, references are a crucial component of any research article, thesis, or academic paper. A reference list (often referred to as the bibliography or works cited page) enables readers to trace the sources you used, ensuring transparency and academic integrity.
In APA style, the reference page appears at the end of the paper. In research-focused fields like agriculture, veterinary, and life sciences, the Vancouver referencing style is commonly used for citing sources.
Why Are References Important?
Referencing is more than just a formality—it is a fundamental academic practice. Proper references:
- Acknowledge the contribution of other researchers.
- Strengthen your claims with credible evidence.
- Prevent plagiarism by giving credit where it is due.
- Allow readers to verify and explore your sources.
In short, referencing demonstrates that your research is grounded in a foundation of scholarly work.
General Guidelines for Writing References
When writing references in technical papers, follow these guidelines:
1. Prioritize Recent references Sources
- Focus on papers published within the last five years.
- Use older references only if they serve an essential purpose.
2. Follow Vancouver Style
- Use the numerical citation system.
- References should be listed in the order they appear in the text.
- Include journal articles, patents, websites, and figures/tables citations.
3. Use Superscripts in Text
- References should be numbered sequentially in superscript.
- Example: Research has shown significant results in similar studies¹.
4. Provide DOIs Wherever Possible
- Include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for journal articles.
- You can find DOIs easily using CrossRef’s Simple Text Query Tool.
5. Accepted but Unpublished Articles
- Can be cited in the main reference list.
- Should be numbered like other references.
6. Unpublished Observations
- Manuscripts not accepted should not appear in the reference list.
- Cite them in-text as “unpublished observations” with written permission.
7. Avoid Personal Communications (if possible)
- Use only if the information is not available publicly.
- Cite in-text with name and date in parentheses.
- Example: (Dr. Sharma, personal communication, 2023)
8. Archival or Depository Sources for references
- The same formatting applies to documents available in archives.
9. Conference Papers and Posters
- Unpublished items presented at conferences can be cited.
- If published later, cite the published version instead.
Example of a Proper Reference (Vancouver Style)
Petrie KJ, Mueller JT, Schirmbeck F, Donkin L, Broadbent E, Ellis CJ et al. Effect of providing information about normal test results on patients’ reassurance: randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal [Online] 2007;334(7589):352-354. Available from: doi:10.1136/bmj.39093.464190.55 [Accessed 26th August 2011].
Final Thoughts on References Writing
Writing references correctly is a vital skill in academic and technical writing. For agriculture and veterinary students, mastering the Vancouver style ensures that your research is professional, credible, and globally recognized.
By carefully citing sources, you not only strengthen your arguments but also demonstrate academic honesty.
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