References show which sources on which your work is based, and they are a fundamental part of academic credibility and integrity.

References – how to use and cite sources correctly

When writing academic assignments, you are expected to show where your knowledge origis. You do this by working correctly with references. References show which sources you have used, and they are a fundamental part of academic credibility and integrity.

Using references is both about acknowledging the work of others and making your own work transparent. It allows the reader to understand what your arguments are based on – and to locate the sources you have used themselves.

What should you pay attention to?

When working with references, there are several key questions you should always keep in mind:

• Which sources have you used? It should be clear whether your work is based on books, articles, websites, reports, or other materials.

• How do you cite sources in the text? Every time you quote or reproduce someone else’s knowledge – even when you paraphrase in your own words – there must be an in-text citation.

• Which referencing style are you following? Requirements for referencing styles vary between subjects and educational programmes. By following the referencing style used by your teacher or institution, you ensure that your sources are cited correctly and can be found again.

References in the text and bibliography

References are used both throughout the text and collectively in a bibliography, which is usually placed at the end of the assignment.

The bibliography provides an overview of the sources you have used and is structured according to the referencing style you follow. Depending on the style, it may include information such as author, title, year of publication, publisher, journal, links, and DOI.

What is a DOI?

A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent identification number for digital publications, such as academic articles. A DOI makes it possible to locate a source even if the web address changes. Therefore, you should always include a DOI in your references when one is available.

Referencing styles

There are several different referencing styles, such as APA, Harvard, and Vancouver. Which style you should use depends on your subject area and educational programme.

Regardless of which referencing style you use, it is important to apply it consistently and follow the formal requirements for formatting and citations.

Digital tools for references

There are digital tools that can help you create and manage references correctly.

At litteraturlisteautomaten.dk, you can create bibliographies in the APA 7 referencing style by entering information about your sources.

Here at studie.bibliotek.dk, you can also export references directly to reference management tools:

• Download to RefWorks
• Download to EndNoteWeb
• Download in RIS format (for use with EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, and ReferenceManager)

Reference tools can make the work easier, but it is still your responsibility to check that the information is correct.

References and AI

AI tools can help with idea generation and creating an overview, but they cannot function as sources.

This is partly because AI:

• cannot document its content with verifiable sources
• may generate incorrect or fabricated references

AI should therefore not be included in bibliographies. If you use AI as a tool in your academic work, this should instead be described in the methodology section in accordance with your institution’s guidelines.

How to work correctly with references in practice

• Record source information continuously
• Clarify the required referencing style early in the assignment process
• Use reference tools as support – not as a substitute for your own checking
• Ensure consistency between in-text citations and the bibliography

When you have a good understanding of references and referencing styles, it becomes easier to work systematically with your sources and meet the requirements of academic work.