How to write your reference list and bibliography in the Harvard style
Your lecturers consider accurate and consistent referencing to be an important part of your academic work. Check your course guidelines so you know which referencing style to use.
If you are using the bibliographic software, RefWorks, you should use the 'Imperial College London - Harvard' style which follows the same format as this guide.
The following examples are in two parts:
- the information you should collect about each piece of work you use
- how this information is presented when you write a full reference
In general, if no author is provided or the author is unknown, begin with the title, followed by the year.
Click on the type of work you need to provide a reference for. If you cannot find the type of work you need, please contact your librarian for more help.
Frequently cited references
- Book: accessed on an e-book reader
- Book: chapter in an edited book
- Book: in a foreign language
- Book: online / electronic
- Book: print
- Book: translated
- Journal article: online / electronic
- Journal article: postprint / in press
- Journal article: preprint
- Journal article: print
- Report
- Web page / website
A
B
- Blog post
- Book: accessed on an e-book reader
- Book: chapter in an edited book
- Book: in a foreign language
- Book: online / electronic
- Book: print
- Book: translated
- Brochure / pamphlet / booklet
C
- CD-ROM
- Command papers and other official publications [excluding Acts of Parliament]
- Computer program, software or code
- Conference proceeding: individual paper
- Conference proceeding: whole
D
For the recommended format for data citation, please refer to this page:
E
Use the discussion list / forum post layout for emails which are publicly available, that is, posted to a discussion list, group or forum.
You should provide a reference to the work in which you found the equation. Use the examples in this list to identify the appropriate layout depending on the type of work you need to reference. Your in-text citation should include the page number on which the equation appears (unless in an online publication without page numbers).
F
- Film
- Financial data from an online database (for share price or financial instrument figures)
- Financial report from an online database (for company financial accounts, e.g. profit and loss account)
- Foreign language sources
Journal article in a foreign language
Latin alphabet languages
Author
(Year of publication)
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Volume number
Issue number
Page numbers of the article (do not use ‘p'. before the page numbers)
Aguiar, R., Mora, D. and Rodríguez, M. (2017) Analysis of structure with dissipator spectra under design and control. [Análisis de una estructura con disipadores sometidos a espectros de diseño y de control]. International Journal of Numerical Methods for Calculation and Design in Engineering [Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería]. 33(3-4), 171-178.
In-text citation: (Aguiar, Mora & Rodríguez, 2017)
Non-Latin alphabet languages
Author
(Year of publication)
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Volume number
Issue number
Page numbers of the article (do not use ‘p'. before the page numbers)
Xiang, Y., Guo, Z., Baoshan, D., Jiwei, H. 员翔, 等, (2015) 不锈钢方矩管压弯构件平面内稳定承载力理 论研究Buxiugang fangjuguan yawan goujian pingmiannei wending chengzaili lilun yanjiu [Theoretical research on in-plane stability capacity of RHS stainless steel beam-columns]. 工业建筑Gongye jianzhu [Industrial Construction]. 3, 150-55.
In-text citation: (Xiang et al., 2015)
Translated work – Latin alphabet languages
Author
(Year of publication)
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Trans. Followed by the name of the translator
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Volume number
Issue number
Page numbers of the article (do not use ‘p'. before the page numbers)
Aguiar, R., Mora, D. and Rodríguez, M. (2017) Analysis of structure with dissipator spectra under design and control [Análisis de una estructura con disipadores sometidos a espectros de diseño y de control]. Trans. Buchanan, C. International Journal of Numerical Methods for Calculation and Design in Engineering [Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería], 33(3-4), 171-178.
In-text citation: (Aguiar, Mora & Rodríguez, 2017)
Translated work – Non-Latin alphabet languages
Author
(Year of publication)
Title of journal article
[Title in original language]
Trans. Followed by the name of the translator
Title of journal (this should be in italics)
[Title in original language] (this should be in italics)
Volume number
Issue number
Page numbers of the article (do not use ‘p'. before the page numbers)
Xiang, Y., Guo, Z., Baoshan, D., Jiwei, H. 员翔, 等, (2015) 不锈钢方矩管压弯构件平面内稳定承载力理论研究Buxiugang fangjuguan yawan goujian pingmiannei wending chengzaili lilun yanjiu [Theoretical research on in-plane stability capacity of RHS stainless steel beam-columns]. Trans. Buchanan, C. 工业建筑 Gongye jianzhu [Industrial Construction], 3, 150-55.
In-text citation: (Xiang et al., 2015)
G
Please refer to Imperial Generative AI tools guidance as well as your tutor(s) for guidance on using generative AI tools for any assessed work. You must provide clear and accurate information for any sources you use in your work.
Depending on the generative AI tool you use, the content may be nonrecoverable when it cannot be retrieved or linked to. Note: as of June 2023, you can generate a shareable link to a ChatGPT conversation and we recommend you do so for use in references.
You should also acknowledge your use of generative AI tools for all assessed work. Follow the guidance provided on the library’s Generative AI guidance page.
Information about using and referencing ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in assignments will continue be updated. Check this section regularly for any changes in our advice. (Last update: 29 Nov 2023)
Example 1: You have generated a shareable link
Author (use the name of the generative AI software)
(Year)
Prompt
Receiver of communication
Available at: URL
(Accessed: date).
OpenAI ChatGPT (2023). What are some examples of decolonising the curriculum in STEM subjects in higher education? ChatGPT response to Coco Nijhoff. Available at: https://chat.openai.com/share/00422613-c808-418d-b174-58b14ce1433c (Accessed: 8 June 2023).
In-text citation: (OpenAI ChatGPT, 2023)
Example 2: There is no shareable link
Reference list:
Author
(Year)
Receiver of communication
Day/month of communication
Google Agent Assist (2023) Agent Assist response to Hua Li, 2 May.
In-text citation:
(OpenAI ChatGPT, 2023)
For more examples please see the guide produced by Edina.
When writing a reference for a map created using a service such as Digimap, both the supplier (e.g. Digimap) and the provider of the data (e.g. Strategi) should be acknowledged.
Creator.
(Year created)
Title
[Map format], Scale.
Product name [data format], currency of data.
Producer.
Using: name of the service used to create the map or download the data.
URL
Smith, J. (2009) Glasgow Regional Transportation [PDF map], 1:200,000. OS Strategi [geospatial data], updated Jan 2008. Ordnance Survey, GB. Using: EDINA Digimap Ordnance Survey Service. http://edina.ac.uk/digimap
In-text citation: (Smith, 2009).
When writing a reference for a map created using GIS data, the data provider, supplier and software used to create the map should be acknowledged.
Map Title [format]. (Year) Scale. Database name. [type of medium] Place of publication, Publisher. Using: name of software used to create map (version) [Type of software]. URL.
Virginia Railway Network [computer map]. (2000) 1:25000. National Transportation Atlas Databases (NTAD). Washington, D.C., US Department of Transportation. Using: ArcGIS (version 8.3) [GIS software]. http://www.esri.com
I
- Image / illustration / figure / diagram / table / photograph published in a book
- Image / illustration / figure / diagram / table / photograph published in a journal
- Image / illustration / figure / diagram / table / photograph published using software such as BioRender
- Images from the internet
- Interview: personal
You should provide an in-text citation for any images, illustrations, photographs, diagrams, tables or figures that you reproduce in your work, and provide a full reference as with any other type of work.
Citations for figures adapted from BioRender templates with modifications to original content and/or design:
Reference:
BioRender.com. (Year) FullTemplateName. URL [Date of access]
BioRender.com. (2020) Coronavirus Replication Cycle. https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates [Accessed 27th August 2020]
Image citation:
Adapted from ‘FullTemplateName’ (BioRender.com, 2020)
Adapted from ‘Coronavirus Replication Cycle’ (BioRender.com, 2020)
Citations for reusing BioRender templates without any content or design modifications:
Reference:
BioRender.com. (Year) FullTemplateName. URL [Date of access]
BioRender.com. (2020) Coronavirus Replication Cycle. https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates [Accessed 27th August 2020]
Image citation:
‘FullTemplateName’ (BioRender.com, 2020)
‘Coronavirus Replication Cycle’ (BioRender.com, 2020)
Photographer if known.
(Year of publication)
Title.
URL
[Date of access]
Example with known photographer
Sork, V. (2019) Genetics can play a key role in saving trees. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50673661 [Accessed 12th December 2019]
In-text citation: (Sork, 2019)
Example with no known photographer
State of open source deep learning frameworks in 2017. (2017) https://towardsdatascience.com/battle-of-the-deep-learning-frameworks-part-i-cff0e3841750 [Accessed 5th December 2019]
In-text citation: In an accompanying diagram (State of open source deep learning frameworks in 2017, 2017) ...
Account name or Instagram handle.
(Year)
[Instagram]
Day/month posted.
URL
(Date of access)
Los Angeles Public Library. (2019) About 120K less than the Art Basel banana. [Instagram] 11 December. https://www.instagram.com/p/B56MmnFF-is/ (Accessed 12th December 2019)
In-text citation: (Los Angeles Public Library, 2019)
J
- Journal article: online / electronic
- Journal article: postprint / in press
- Journal article: preprint
- Journal article: print
L
M
- Map: online
- Map: print
- Market survey report: online / electronic
- Market survey report: print
- Mobile app
Online maps may originate from an online map service, such as Google Maps, or from Digimap, the online Ordnance survey mapping tool.
Map author or originator (online maps may not have an author, but you can use the map publisher’s name as a corporate author)
(Year of publication)
Title of map
Sheet number, or tile (if available)
Scale (if available)
Title of online source (in italics)
URL
[Date of access]
Streetmap (2009) Imperial College London and surrounding area. Streetmap. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=526500&y=179400&z=0&sv=526500,179400&st=OSGrid&lu=N&tl=~&ar=y&bi=~&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf [Accessed 23rd July 2010]
In-text citation: (Streetmap, 2009)
Author (use the corporate author, individual or developer)
(year of publication)
Title of the App (this should be in italics)
(Version number)
[Mobile app]
Name of app store or URL (if required)
[Date of access]
Citymapper Ltd. (2016) Citymapper. (version 6.11) [Mobile App] [Accessed 25th August 2016]
It may be useful to give the full url from the app store e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citymapper.app.release&hl=en_GB or https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/citymapper-transport-app-live/id469463298?mt=8
N
O
P
- Patent
- Patient information leaflets
- Personal communication
- Photograph: online (not in a published work)
- Podcast
General advice for anything considered ephemera such as leaflets, pamplets etc. is to use the format for reports.
Corporate Author or Author Surname, Initial(s).,
(Year).
Title of Fact Sheet.
Place of publication:
Publisher.
Publication Number.
Boots Pharmaceuticals., (2014). Decongestant tablet (Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride). Nottingham: The Boots Company PLC. 00014/0375.
In-text citation: (Boots Pharmaceuticals, 2014)
R
S
T
- Television programme / broadcast
- Television programme / broadcast: episode in a series
- Television programme / broadcast: online
- Thesis (final written work by PhD postgraduate students, dissertations, project reports, discourses and essays by any student)
- Tweet
Author’s name or Twitter pseudonym [Account name if applicable].
(year)
Entire tweet or first few words.
[Twitter]
Day/month tweet posted.
URL
(Date of access)
Attenborough, (2019) A beluga whale playing rugby. [Twitter] 8 November. https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1192808927290953729?s=20 [Accessed 5 December 2019]
In-text citation: (Attenborough, 2019)
V
When writing a reference for a multi-media item, you would usually use the title of the TV programme or video recording, or title of the film (whether on DVD or video) as the author. If the title is used as the author, this should be written in italics. You should also include the type of format in the reference, such as Video, DVD, CD, CD-ROM and so on.
Title (this should be in italics)
(Year of production)
[Video]
Place of production
Name of production company
W
Y
Self-plagiarism involves re-using your own previously written work or data in a new assignment and not referencing it. You must always reference your sources, even if you are referencing your own work.