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It is best to understand this by understanding Referencing Systems; thus referencing is the totality of the act of citation in the text and the reference list at the end of your coursework.
Anglia Ruskin University (2007) states that:
“Referencing Systems
There are many systems for the citation of references. Anglia Ruskin University expects students to use the HARVARD system - whereby the author's surname and year of publication are cited in the text, e.g. (Bond, 2004), and a reference list (of these citations), in alphabetical order by author, is included at the end of the assignment. It is here additional bibliographical details are noted, such as the title and publisher. A bibliography, if requested by the tutor, at the end of your essay will include all your cited works together with references to background reading that you have undertaken. This should also be in the Harvard style.”
The British Psychological Society (BPS) uses the American Psychological Association ( APA ) style of referencing (sometimes called 'APA referencing style') which is very close to the Harvard referencing system.
Essentially there are two components of any referencing system as follows:
NB - always check your course and module documents, and check if necessary with your lecturers to ensure that you know which referencing system is required in your coursework. In Psychology however, it is likely that you will be advised to use the Harvard system which corresponds with BPS guidelines.
For a detailed guide to referencing and writing in psychology see the link below. Note that this file is 70 pages long so it may be best for you to use this a resource rather than to print. Detailed guide to referencing and writing in psychology
Always use the referencing system advised by you university and course; learn to use it effectively; and read journal articles in order to 'absorb' this style of academic writing. Later in your career you may have to use different referencing systems for different journals, systems such as Endnote in MS Word can do this for you.
Anglia Ruskin University, (2007). Harvard System of Referencing Guide. [Internet] Available at: http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm?harvard_example=15#39 [accessed September 21st 2007 ]
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