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Harvard referencing: citing in the body of the text

When you cite someone else's work you must always state the author(s) or editor(s) name(s) and the date of publication. If the work has three or more authors or editors use the abbreviation 'et al.' after the first author's name. You do not need to include any other information about the article or document because the full details of the item are written in your reference list at the end of your assignment.

One author cited in the body of your text
The work of Smith (2002) emphasises that the research done by Holstein was in direct conflict with that produced by Greene.

Two authors cited in the body of your text
Theakston and Boddington (2001) however, considered that ...

Three or more authors
The work of Smith et al. (2002) emphasises that the research done by Holstein was in direct conflict with that produced by Greene.

If you cite a new source which has the same author or editor name and was written in the same year as an earlier citation, you must use a lower case letter after the date to differentiate between the two.

Same author, same year but different work
The work of Smith (2002a) emphasises that the research done by Holstein was in direct conflict with that produced by Greene.

Citing from chapters written by different authors

Some books may contain chapters written by different authors. When citing work from such a book, the author(s) who wrote the chapter should be cited, not the editor(s) of the book.

Secondary referencing

When an author refers to another author's work and the primary source is not available, this is called a secondary reference. When citing such work the author of the primary source and the author of the work it was cited in should be included. Secondary referencing should be avoided if possible. Try to find and use the primary source in your work.

Citing an author who has cited another author

Ellis (1990 cited in Cox 1991), discusses ...

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