MSALLEL/302/4/2010
DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY,
CHURCH HISTORY AND MISSIOLOGY
Discipline: Missiology
To all students enrolled for Missiology
Tutorial letter 302/2010
REFERENCE TECHNIQUES
Dear Student
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Introduction
In this tutorial letter I would like to reflect with you on the value and purpose of using good
referencing techniques and provide you with some examples of references using the modified
Harvard method. The reason for bringing this topic to your attention is because referencing is
an essential part of academic writing. Since you are all writing assignments, a dissertation or a
thesis, we would like you to study this tutorial letter carefully and implement this method of
referencing in your text. Keep in mind that points are subtracted from your assignments if you
do not reference your sources correctly.
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The importance of referencing
Why are we concerned about referencing? Why bother? Sometimes it seems students feel
that referencing is, in the words of Shakespeare, “much ado about nothing”. Yet at one time or
another we all have had the experience of reading something that we would like to use or
coming across a source that has been referred to only to find that the reference for the material
is incorrect or incomplete. What frustration! This is a betrayal of academic integrity!
Excessively harsh? No. Poor referencing techniques do an injustice to researchers who would
like to give appropriate credit to their sources and do not enable other researchers to pursue
the discourse on a particular field.
I would like to suggest that we need to see referencing in the context of service. As students
and as researchers we want to provide the fullest information about the sources we have used.
In this way those who read our work will also be able to access our sources and use them as a
means of development for further studies. When this happens, academic discourse is enriched
by a chorus of diverse voices. Discussions are further developed and areas of interest are
opened up to more people.
Good and accurate referencing also enhances the credibility of your work. When you
demonstrate that you know how to use sources well and that your sources are well respected
in the academic community, then you show that you are familiar with the important works in
your discipline.
If you begin to cultivate good referencing habits during your undergraduate studies you will find
that they become part of your writing skills. As you do more and more research, you will also
become more aware of the importance of giving complete references. Developing competency
in academic work makes good referencing techniques indispensable. Well-documented
sources give added value to academic writing.
The following chart provides you with some examples of how to reference from a variety of
sources. They have been done in the context of paragraphs to show you clearly how they are
used in context. I hope that you find this helpful. If you have any comments about this tutorial
letter or you would like to make suggestions about what might also be included please feel free
to contact me.
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Referencing techniques
The Harvard method is a convenient and concise way of referencing materials that are used in
your assignments and dissertation/thesis. It is short and to the point.
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Type of reference
Example
A book by a single
author if just referred to
in your text without
being quoted.
Makhanya (1983) believes that social reformers need to have a
comprehensive understanding of the consequences of Baloyi’s
(1978) theories for the future development of the country.
When a specific idea is
used followed by
another idea from the
same author in the
same paragraph
without any other
intervening reference
being made:
Social reformers often act as if they had no idea of the
implications of various theories of social development (Makhanya
1983:76). There is a need for the development of a network of
social reformers so that more information can be shared among
them. This will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and the
development of new strategies for implementation (:79).
A work by two authors
and an example of
referencing when there
is an intervening
reference in a
paragraph.
Villaça and Dujarier (2001:81) stressed the need for
evangelisation in carrying out the mission of the church.
Schreiter (1985:43) insists that every form of evangelisation must
be contextual if it is to effective. It should be noted that efforts
need to be made to help people realise that evangelisation is not
the sole prerogative of pastoral leaders. Evangelisation is a
necessary responsibility of every Christian by reason of his/her
baptism (Villaça & Dujarier 2001:85).
First citation of a work
by 3-6 authors as listed
on the publication
True Christian mission is of the essence of the life of the church
(Saayman, Kritzinger & Meiring 1984:98). The debate about the
form which mission should take is shaped largely by historical
and social factors which are operative in a specific context
(Bosch, Balia, Anderson, Peterson & Jones 1990:37). Yet some
authors maintain that in an ecclesial context catechesis should
have priority so that members of the church might have good
faith formation (Saayman et al 1984:73).
A citation with 5 authors
as list on the
publication
A second citation of a
source already used
In works with 6 or more
authors only the name
of the first author is
cited with “et al”.
Biblical reference is
cited in the text to
support an idea.
A church document is
used as a source for
the first time and it
shows multiple sources
supporting the point
The countries of East Africa have made a common commitment
to the formation of catechists from congregations in rural areas
and this effort has borne much fruit in church life (Tshabalala et
al 2000:82). It was felt that this would be a way of helping
Christians to see the relationship between their baptism and the
need to address social issues (Lk 4:16-22).
The very origin of the existence of the church is rooted in the life
of the Trinity (LG=Lumen Gentium 2; WCC=World Council of
Churches 193; Forte 1991:23). The community of the Trinity is a
missionary community (Brennan 1981:145) in which the act of
sending is reflected in the relationships of the Father, Son and
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that is made.
A subsequent use of
the same document
A document quoted in
another source
Holy Spirit. At the centre of the Father’s plan for all humanity is
the mission of his Son, Jesus Christ. This plan was manifested in
Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. It bore fruit in the gift of
the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. The church”receives
the mission to proclaim and to establish among all peoples the
kingdom of God” in Christ (LG 5).
The Apostolic Tradition (AT) called for a three year
catechumenate for those who desired to be baptised, but some
consideration was given to difference in readiness on the part of
the catechumens. Number 17 of AT states:
This reference indicates
that two works by Finn
were published in 1992
and the second one
was used.
Catechumens will be under instruction for a period
of three years. If someone is zealous and applies
himself well to the work of the catechumenate, not
the period of time, but the evidence of conversion
alone shall be judged (in Finn 1992b:47).
This reference is to a
document which was
issued as the result of a
church meeting.
At a recent synod of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) a
discussion ensued in which it became clear that a new policy
needed to be developed to include the period of preparation that
new converts to the church would have to participate in before
becoming baptised (DRC Synod 2000:13-14).
Here we have a
reference to a personal
interview done by the
author of the text.
After consulting members of other churches (Santucci 1995) it
became obvious our church policy on baptismal preparation
needed to be updated. One of the other members of the panel
pointed out that theological material was available that would
support the synod’s decision (Kavanagh 1993:77).
An example of the use
of an unpublished
doctoral thesis.
The relationship between baptism and mission needs to be
cultivated on the practical level by pastors and catechists.
Missiologists also need to reflect on the implications of this
relationship so that they can provide a firm theological foundation
for missiological praxis (Karecki 1995: 184).
The reference is to
information from a CDROM as you will see in
the bibliography.
The significance of the Second Vatican Council can only be
realised when one reflects on the documents issued from its
working sessions. Ad gentes (AG) reminded members of the
church of their missionary vocation (Duty 1997).
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An essay in an edited
collection is simply
referenced by the
author’s name, date
and page number.
Penoukou (1991:41) maintains that the African theology which
emerged in the 1950s can be characterised by its insistence on
the recognition of African values as formative in faith
development. It challenged the local church to examine its
Christian and African identities.
A hymn from a church
hymnbook
It was pointed out that hymns like, Banenhlanhla labo bantu
(1977:329) are able to foster a mood of celebration among
members of the assembly. In this way the church also showed its
openness to using vernacular languages in worship and so
fostering greater cultural identity among the people (Khambule
1982:5).
An unpublished
manuscript
Internet references can
be cited in the same
way that books or
journal articles are
cited, but this depends
on the information that
is available on the
website.
In relating to people of other religions it is important to bear in
mind the importance of finding areas of common interest and
commitment (WCC 1998). Several of the Christian students
taking a module on interreligious dialogue found working with
Buddhists on social projects for the benefit of poor people a
worthwhile experience (Flesher, Buddhism).
A newspaper report
without a specific
author
New City Press reported that the Anglican Church was beginning
a major project to address the issue of rape and provide
counselling services to women within the Johannesburg
municipality (Rape Action, 2002). Concern about the safety and
well-being of women in South Africa has grown since a number
of major studies have been published (Banda 2001:35). The
seriousness of the problem was confirmed in a speech given by
President Mbeki (2002, July) in Nigeria.
A reference to an
abstract.
Remember that a master’s dissertation is judged on the way in which you are able to use a
variety of sources in an integrated way. Avoid using one source repeatedly in one section
unless you need to make a specific point that you want to compare or contrast with other
authors. Your aim should be to demonstrate your ability to work independently using your
sources in a coherent and orderly way.
A thesis is written with the intention of making an original contribution to a field of study. This
becomes the focus of your thesis and should be seen in the sources you use and how you use
them, the structure of your work, the development of the unique insight you have proven, which
advances the development of the discourse in your discipline.
Keep in mind that in the Harvard method of referencing footnotes are used to explain ideas
that are not apparent from the material in the text or to provide information about related
material that is not contained in the text. In this way you demonstrate that you are aware of
other topics or sources related to your study but that, for one reason or another, you are not
including in your study.
Please be aware of plagiarising the work of other authors. To maintain your academic integrity
you cannot copy material from a source without giving the author proper credit. It is sometimes
a great temptation to do so, but it will be obvious because of the difference in style of writing
and language usage between you and the author. Plagiarism is totally unacceptable at any
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level of study. It is not only dishonest, but it also hampers your academic development.
If you are using acronyms and abbreviations you will need to include a list of them in your
dissertation or thesis. This is included in the front of your work. They are listed alphabetically.
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Bibliography
A bibliography or a list of references is always arranged alphabetically according to the
surnames of the authors. If an author has written several works they should be referenced by
their dates: earliest to most recent with a lower case letter of the alphabet following the date if
two or more were written in the same year. Study guides or readers are listed as ordinary
books.
A bibliography differs from a list of references in that a list of references contains only the
references used in the work, while a bibliography contains all the materials you have used for
your dissertation/thesis. We usually use a list of references for an assignment and a
bibliography for a dissertation/thesis.
We have worked with a number of referencing systems and have simplified them into this
format. Be sure that you check the formats we have listed here when compiling your
bibliography and/or list of references.
Bibliographies are always single spaced and if your text is in a 12-point font then the
bibliography is written in 10 point.
AG=Ad Gentes in Flannery 1992:430-456.
A church document in an edited edition.
AT= Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus in Finn, 1992b:43-51.
This is an example of an ancient church document that may be found in a contemporary source.
Baloyi, A 1978. The nature of social reform. London: Blackwell.
This entry is for a book with a single author. The title of a book or journal is underlined if an assignment is
handwritten, but typed in italics if you are using a computer. However, the title of an article in a journal or essay in a
book is not.
Banda, Z 2001. Abstract of the article (book) “Violent crimes against women in South Africa”
by Joan Mabuza. Missionalia 12:35.
Here is an example of an abstract for an article that is referred to in the text. If a book was abstracted you would
simply put the title of the book in place of the title of the article.
Banda, Z 2001. Review of African women rising by Joan Mabuza. Missionalia 12:79-80.
This is an example of a review of a book published in an academic journal.
____________ 1977. Banenhlanhla labo bantu in Incwadi yemikhuleko namaculo. Mariannhill:
Mariannhill Mission Press, (164):329.
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Here we have an example of a hymn used from a church hymnal. In this case there are no editor or compiler, but if
there was his/her name would be in the ususal place. Since there is none, the reference is listed alphabetically by
the title of the hymn. The number in parenthesis is the number of the hymn followed by the page number.
Bosch, D Balia, D Anderson A Peterson R & Jones, S 1990. Understanding the nature of
mission in Africa: an exploration. Maryknoll: Orbis.
This is an example of a book with multiple authors. It is listed according to the surname of the principal author.
Brennan, C 1981. The mission of the Trinity. Missionalia 9(1):136-148.
This is a straightforward journal entry with one author.
Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) Synod. 2000. Deliberations of the Gauteng Synod. Pretoria,
13-14.
This is an example of a document that was issued after a church meeting.
Duty, K (ed) 1997. Text. Destination Vatican II: An interactive exploration of the Second
Vatican Council. CD-ROM. Allen, TX: Resources for Christian Living.
This is a reference for a section of a CD-ROM which deals with the texts of Vatican II. The editor is given on the
cover of the CD. The city where the CD was produced is not a major one so the city and the abbreviation of the
state of Texas is given. No pages are included because no printed version is available.
Finn, TM 1992a. Early Christian baptism and the catechumenate: West and East Syria.
Collegeville: The Liturgical Press.
Finn, TM 1992b. Early Christian baptism and the catechumenate: Italy, North Africa, and
Egypt. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press.
The works by Finn were written in the same year. When you list them you need to place a letter of the alphabet
after the year of publication to match their use in the text.
Flannery, A (ed) 1992. Vatican II: The conciliar and post conciliar documents Vol. I. New
revised edition. Boston: St Paul Books and Media.
This entry is an example of a numbered volume and indicates that the book is a revised edition.
Flesher, P undated. Exploring religions: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.
http://www.august.uwyo.edu/ReligioNet/ER.
This is an undated internet source. In your text it would be referenced by the author’s name in the same way as a
book, without a date or page number, but with the subject (Flesher, Buddhism). In this instance you use a comma
after the author’s name.
Foley, E 1992. Minor exorcisms, in Celebrating the rites of adult initiation: pastoral reflections,
V Turfano (ed). Chicago: Liturgy Training, 29-39.
This is an example of an edited volume.
Forte, B 1991. The church: icon of the Trinity, R Paolucci (trans). Boston: St Paul Books and
Media.
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This example illustrates the use of a colon in a title. The first word of the subtitle is not capitalised.
Jacques, F 1995. From language games to ‘textual games’: the case of the religious rite, in
Liturgy and the body, M Bear (trans), L Chauvet & FK Lumbala (eds). London: SCM, 1-21.
This is an example of an essay in an edited volume which has two editors and a translator.
Karecki, M 1995. Formation for mission: catechesis in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Unpublished doctoral thesis. Pretoria: University of South Africa.
This source is an unpublished doctoral thesis.
Kavanagh, A 1993. Baptism, in The New Encyclopedia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopedia
Britannica 3:75-81.
This is a reference to an entry in an encyclopaedia. Mouton lists such a reference by the name of the author
without any editors. You could do the same for an entry from a theological dictionary.
Khambule, M 1982. Fostering cultural identity through music. Unpublished manuscript.
When you use a written text that has not been published as a part of book or a book itself you acknowledge your
source, but as an unpublished manuscript.
LG=Lumen Gentium in Flannery, 1992:350-426.
This is an example of a church document that is included in an edited volume. It should agree with the entry for the
whole volume.
López-Gay, J 1989. From the proclamation of the word the church is born. Omnis Terra
(203):580-590.
This is an example of an article in a journal that is not arranged in volumes, but simply in numerical order.
Makhanya, Z 1983. Principles of ethical reform. South African Journal of Theology 14(6):1432.
This is another straightforward journal article.
Mbeki, T 2002. The plight of women in South Africa today. SABC News, 8 July.
This reference is to a speech heard on television news. If it was heard on radio you would simply name the radio
station in place of “SABC News.”
Penoukou, EJ 1991. The churches of Africa: Their identity? Their mission? in Trends in
mission: toward the 3rd millennium, W Jenkinson & H O’Sullivan (eds). Maryknoll:
Orbis, 39-45.
Another essay in an edited collection. Page numbers are always included.
Rape action campaign in Johannesburg (2002, August 11). New City Press, Section 1:4.
An example of a newspaper article without a specific author’s name. Arrange alphabetically by the first significant
word in the title.
RCIA= Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 1988. Chicago: Liturgy Training.
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This is a rite issued by a church. No author is listed for a church order of service or rite.
Santucci, F 1995. Interviewed by author on 6 April. Coronationville, Johannesburg.
Interviews that form part of empirical research need to be included in a bibliography.
Saayman, W Kritzinger, JJ & Meiring, P 1984. Witnessing in mission. Pietermaritzburg:
Cluster.
Multiple author book.
Tshabalala, T, Williams, B, Namo, I, Gamede, S, Miller, S, Uzukwu, E & Nkosi, M 2000.
Catechesis in the African context. NY: Paulist.
Multiple author book with more than six authors. In the text the reference is Tshabalala et al, but in the bibliography
all authors are listed.
Villaça, T & Dujarier, M 1981. The various ministries in Christian initiation, in Becoming a
Catholic Christian, E Haasl (trans), W Reedy (ed). NY: William H Sadlier Inc., 245-265.
Here the first author’s name requires a special language character. Be careful to use these both in your text and in
the bibliography.
World Council of Churches (WCC) 1998. Guidelines on dialogue with people of living faith
and ideologies. Geneva. http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/glinese.html.
If the material found on a website has been previously published in a print version then that reference should
be listed before the Internet website.
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Some technical points
In a research paper, dissertation or thesis, double spacing or 1½ line spacing is used for the
text. Quotations longer than three lines should be indented and single spaced. Because the
quotation is indented, no quotation marks are used. Format the document so that it is fully
justified as block paragraphs; no ragged edges. The first line of the first paragraph of a section
is not indented, but the first line of every subsequent paragraph should be indented.
The first page of your dissertation/thesis is the title page. Please follow the example in the
information booklet, Master’s and doctor’s degrees: General information. After the title page
you need a summary page followed by 10 key words, and a table of contents and be sure to
include all subsections. Check to see that the wording of your sections matches that in your
text. You should also include an acknowledgement page in which you mention the assistance
you received from your supervisor/promoter, librarian, editor or anyone else who offered you
significant help. This is followed by a page acknowledging any financial assistance you may
have received and finally a statement that the work is truly yours. List all the frequently used
abbreviations and if you have used biblical references, simply include a one-line statement
about the edition of the Bible from which you have taken the texts. An example of such a
sentence would be: “All biblical quotations and references have been taken from The New
International Bible.” This is followed by a page with a list of figures, diagrams and/or
illustrations if you have used them.
Sections and subsections need to be numbered, for example:
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1. Introduction
1.1 The research question (motivation for study)
1.2 The aim of the dissertation/ thesis
1.3 Development of the design and methodology
1.4 Scope or demarcation of the dissertation/thesis
1.5 Literature review
2. Mission in South Africa
2.1 Some historical factors that shaped Christian mission between 1858-1910
2.2 Challenges to mission: the apartheid era
2.3 Christian mission in South Africa today
Keep in mind that a review of literature may be included in the first chapter or form the basis of
another chapter of your dissertation/thesis. It is best to consult with your supervisor/promoter
about how to work with the review of literature . Some students ask if a review of literature is
necessary if you are doing an empirical study and then answer is “Yes.” The literature review
is necessary because this establishes your awareness of the pertinent material that has been
published on your topic. It is also meant to be a critical evaluation of the literature that is
relevant to your research question. Such a survey help you to make a decision about what
interpretative tool(s) you will use in working with your research.
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Make sure the pages correspond with those in your table of contents.
Words or phrases that are used in a special way or have a particular meaning in your
discipline should be typed in italics.
When you are using bold for emphasis do not use underlining as well.
Academic writing is formal and does not permit the use of contractions or colloquial
speech patterns.
In the Harvard method we do not use op cit or ibid either in the text or the footnotes.
If you want to read more about research and referencing techniques you may want to consult
Johan Mouton’s book, How to succeed in your master’s and doctoral studies. I have used his
book extensively, but have tried to simplify some of his references so that they are even more
clear and direct.
The Department of Missiology requires that you use the method presented in this tutorial letter.
Please remember that points will be subtracted from your marks for incomplete, incorrect or
missing references. This attention to detail is part of good scholarship and the level of
academic excellence that Unisa is striving to inculcate in the academic work of our students.
With best wishes for a fruitful year of study,
Prof NA Botha (Discipline Leader)
012 429-4533
bothana@unisa.ac.za
UNISA
\Tutorial Letters 2010MSALLEL_2010