Saturday, October 5, 2019

Why we reference and a way to get it right.



There are a number of reasons why referencing is so important.

Referencing signifies to the reader that something (e.g. a quote or an idea) came from, or originally belonged to someone or somewhere ‘else’, other than you. In other words, references and referencing prevents plagiarism, which is really just a form of taking (or even stealing) someone else’s works, words, research, ideas or concepts and presenting them as your own.

References demonstrate and validate your research. They enable you to support, prove or strengthen your opinion, thoughts or arguments by showing how these are based on, formed by or related to other published works.

These aspects are important and there are specific conventions around referencing, especially within academic writing. However, there is another reason why reliable referencing is critical in all types of writing. That reason is to provide your readers with ‘a map’ or a way of tracking back to find original sources.

Putting aside the conventions of academic writing for a moment, let’s think about the workplace.

If you saw in a report or policy, words to the effect of “according to the law ….”, you quite rightly, might want to know which law, or what part of that law and where to find the original source.

Referencing and references serve to show the reader where things come from and how they can go back and find them or it for themselves.

It is helpful to think of referencing in this light because it then makes you consider;
“Could a reader of my work identify who said what about what or whom and can my reader go and find out where that was stated, based on my references (or map) in my bibliography?”

If they could not, your references need work.

Remember, you should have the author’s name immediately followed by (date of publication) within the body of your work, where relevant.

One idea to help you double check your referencing system is to highlight every author’s name in your document.

Then search for that name in your document and it should appear in your bibliography. If it doesn’t, then you are signalling to your reader that you are drawing on someone else’s work, but you are not letting the reader know where or how to find the original source. (You have not given them the map!)

I like to use a 2 colour highlighting system. I first highlight every name in yellow, often while I am still in the drafting stage. Then, I go back and change the yellow highlights to green when I know my bibliography clearly shows a reader exactly where to go to see the original source or find out more information.

It is true that secondary references can seem a bit more complex.

Let’s look at this example.
John Smith published a book called ‘A Good Thing’ in 2014. In his article John quotes Mary Carr’s previous work, called ‘My Story’ that was published in 1999. The quote is “Always do one thing at a time.” and it is on page 29 of John’s book.

You want to reference Mary’s quote, showing you read it in John’s book.

Here is an example of what you could write and how you could reference it.

Planning your tasks is important. As cited by Smith (2014, p29), Carr (1999) suggests in ‘My Story’, “Always do one thing at a time.”

Then in your bibliography you have an entry for Smith as it is his work you read, with a secondary reference for Carr, showing that while the quote comes from Mary Carr, it was quoted in John Smith’s book. The entries would look like this.

Smith, J. (2014). ‘A Good Thing’. Publisher or <website address> and date accessed (as relevant)

The above shows the book you read directly and even without a secondary source, your reader can tell by the way you wrote the quote, that John Smith was quoting Mary Carr, and John used Mary’s quote on page 29 of his book called ‘A Good thing’. But to really help your reader have a complete map, do a secondary source like this.

Secondary Sources
Carr, M. (1999). ‘My Story’. Publisher or <website address> and date accessed BY JOHN SMITH (if known or as relevant)

The above shows that while you did not read Mary’s original source work, based on hopefully good references by John Smith, your reader could track back and find Mary’s original quote in her own publication.

Another thing that is interesting and important about good references is it helps you and your reader check if quotes have been used appropriately and within context.

What if, what Mary actually said was “Always do one thing at a time, except for 24 hours before a deadline when you will have to multitask.”

Now, Mary’s quote is not so definitive, and the meaning has slightly changed. This may in fact better support your argument if your point was, sometimes you do have multi-task!

I hope the above explanation, examples and highlighting idea is helpful and has shown how important referencing is, not just because it is a requirement of our academic writing, but more importantly because your readers need the map. Your attention to detail within the referencing process will give them that map and enable them to track back and find out who actually said what, about whom and where.

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Our Mere

TO BE UPDATED 
Text version (blog post) of a digital story called "Our Mere" with detailed and embedded references for images and further information.

(to be updated once the Digital story is completed) - Click here to see how  

So where did those 9 years go?


It is hard to believe that it was almost a decade ago that I began this blog Bower Birds & Sunflowers. 

My first post, full of excitement and enthusiasm, with background on why I chose the name for this blog,  is here

While it is quite sad to see how few posts I have done over the years, I guess this also shows how a dream or an idea sometimes never really dies.  They can just go in and out of a coma or be put on the back burner, only to be revitalised, revisited, reimagined at a later time, when the time is right. 

Well now, for the third or fourth time, it seems like the time is right (again). 

Will I 'keep up' with blogging this time? 
     I don't know, but I hope so ......

Will this 'space of mine' end up exactly how I envisioned it back in 2010? 
     Probably not...  I am just going to let it grow and develop organically 

I still am 'a bowerbird' and still LOVE sunflowers. 

It is reassuring to know some things haven't changed over time. 

No matter how this blog ends up or turns out... 

I do still feel "Bower Birds and Sunflowers" is the perfect name for this -  "my space" :)  
                        (another 'blast from the past') 






Friday, January 2, 2015

Finally I am back in ...

Well it has been a long 2 years.

After trying a number of times to first locate the sign in information for this blog and then trying to work out a way of linking or combining or 'something' numerous 'google' accounts and log ins so I can once again POST here ....

I have done it!

I found the original log in details and opened them in another web brower.

I then sent an invitation  to myself (under different log in details) to be an author.

Accepted that in the different web brower - then back to the other web brower to also make me admin.

AND SO --   maybe 2015 will the year of regular posts and updates.

One thing I have learnt is never give up and keep on going back to things because eventually you will find a way to make it work.

Hope to 'see' a lot more of you and me in 2015
(lol - and that finished with a little rhyme)

Cheers
Kathleen  

Monday, November 5, 2012

One or Many?


And so here we are again. Almost another year over any my 2012 plan of becoming a regular blogger ... well look at the posts and make your own judgement.  While admitting failure is never easy, claiming persistence and determination to try again is a strength and just trying again is a character building experience.

 
One thing I have learnt this year is that maybe the idea of trying to run a number of blogs with different focuses is not the best way forward. 

 
And so I am going to try and just blog regularly here and then maybe link in the other blogs where relevant. Sarah is my hero in that regard. Sarah's Blog

 
I am also not going to worry too much about finding the right graphic. (I can waste hours doing that).

 
And I am going to work out exactly how to back this up as last year I lost ‘access’ and then had to go through heaps of stuff to get it up again. 

 
I follow heaps of other blogs with tips, tricks and ideas. On a daily basis I think “Wow great idea!  I should do that”

 
Roll on 2013. My year of doing (not just thinking and planning!)

 
(Hummm – but my first thought then was I should just spend a few hours sorting out stuff and organising my future posts!)
.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Windows Live Writer

 

I have FINALLY been able to add this blog to Windows Live Writer. I am hoping by adding this tool I will blog more often.

 

Now just to:

1.  Add my other blogs

2. Sort out the whole ‘where are my pictures’ / link that site / platform etc

3. Learn all about embedding

4. Learn about the features in here and ….

5. BLOG more often!

 

Roll on 2012 … This is going to be a GOOD YEAR!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Back to School ... so sharing "For Joshua and His Mother"

Inspired by posts on www.mamamia.com.au  about  the FIRST first day of school being just around the corner for many, I thought I would share what I wrote for my first born about 18 years ago.

When I re-read it all those feelings come rushing back.

If you like it please feel free to copy, use, change and / or share.

My best friend changed changed the name to their child and the pronoun from he to she .. and gave it to them. (I'm not sure if she actually 'fessed up to not writing it herself ... but no matter :) 

I hope you enjoy and I would love to hear your stories about "first days of school".

For Joshua and His Mother

My first-born starts school tomorrow.

The knowing looks, gentle teasing and old hand advice that follows my announcement contrives to make me one of a group ….
 “First Time School Mums”.

Those that have been there, make me feel that this is a ledge they have walked on -
and others, whose children are safely on their laps, assume that I am where they will be.

Yet I'm not on a well worm path.
l know, like most of my life, those who have, 'gone before me' look back and say -

"Yes. I was there"-
But l tell you it is different.

This is my son - not yours.  And the ledge he and l stand on is, on top of our mountain, made by the triumphs, and challenge of our lives, and shaped and carved by the rivers of our pains and sorrows.


So we stand here, my son and l,
our toes gripping the last remnants of the cliff face that represents his babyhood,
staring into the chasm that encompasses the ‘School Years’ ..Years'
Wanting to stay on familiar ground: No not really -


Straining to take flight into the great unknown and watch him soar.
Maybe I'll even fly along side for awhile longer -
Until the heights of other unknown lands beckoned him
where l will eventually be allowed to visit
but never really call my own.


As we stare here, my son and l
l look down into his face, the face my body created -
and see more of the baby than the boy.


MY mind wanders  and l think
"What do l want to say to you  ...........”


l want to tell you:
You are a special person.  Your desire to know, understand and uncover the intricacy in life, and nature has kept me, spell bound and enthralled
As l have watched you grasp, evaluate and assimilate - each new tuft of information.

Thank you for allowing me into the boundless imaginative corridors of your world. 
It is a pleasure and delight, to watch to grow, learn with you
And to re-visit my childhood through your eyes.

The sense of humour and fun you are developing is magical.
Your appreciation for the ridiculous (like me) and the many times we have 'connected' with a look and a smile in a way that is shared by us two - over the heads, of others,
warms my heart with the knowledge
that you are my son.

l want to tell you:
To stand  tall and proud.  You are worthy of all your dreams.
l know the rules and boundaries are hard for your spirit to accept.
You have pushed them, pulled them and tried to find a place where, you could squeeze through them - and often succeeded.

But, the seed is there, planted by me l like to think –
the knowledge that some rules and walls must remain for a life time -
but, others will crumble, as you develop your wings
and go searching further for new truths, knowledge, wisdom and experience,.

But as you test, your boundaries your innate kindness is there also.
That sense of justice -
A belief that there should always be rightness in the world. 

There lays my biggest fear.

Son, life is not always fair and just.
Nor does the equation of right and wrong always balance the scales.
But remember -
Continue to believe that they should and as you grow –
stand for those beliefs and lead others to stake their claim.

The world needs more people like you.
Those who will continue to believe in dragons and dreams long after the others have grown
and grown tired of them.

They are the ones who allow their dragons to die
and detach themselves from their dreams that had the power to make them fly. 
They do this in the name of maturity - yet know - the two are not exclusive. 
You can be all grown up and still save a small part of you

for the child you once were.




Yes as we stand here my son and I
I think this is what l need to tell him..

I open my mouth on this momentous occasion and say  -

Have you got your hankie
Remember to use your manners
I'm sure you'll find a friend
Oh your teacher will be nice
Don't throw your bag -you'll squash your lunch
Do you know where the toilets are
Oh okay I'll go now – Are you sure you don’t want me to stay
l'll unpack your bag
l know you can do it
Yes, yes - sure - run down to the monkey bars
Oh, Josh –
l love you –
Have a great day!

So as we stood there my son -
l let the moment, pass.

No fancy words to herald in this moment.
No solemn symbolic rite of passage.
No final tribute to the last six years.
just a squeeze
a peck
and a school boy running with his mates

As I stood there, and watched my son

l caught, a glimpse of his face,
eyes bright
and shiny -
strong arm gripping the metal as those long brown legs swung back and forth

l can hear him laugh - at some school boy joke,.


l am melancholy -


Just  for a moment
l glimpsed -
more of the man than the boy.




Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Responding to another blog :)

<a href="http://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com/2011/10/any-ideas-on-how-to-teach-social-media.html">Sarah Stewart: Any ideas on how to teach social media without a computer or internet?</a>   My thoughts! (and practising how to do this :) )

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pages & a To do list / page.

Well that sorts that out.  The pages are static and you can't post to them like on the home front page. ok ... well for now I'll leave my to do 'page' but need to reconsider if I even need pages if they are not going to be 'interactive' ....  Hummm and I do know I could start another 'to do blog' ...  hummm I might have to think about that :)

Add a page to a blog

DONE!  Nothing like starting with a success :)  Humm 2nd edit. OK 50% success ... added the page - now just how to post this comment to THAT page and not this home one ....  hummmm
(thinking, scratching head and looking for ‘instructions’) ...