Quick guide to Harvard referencing (Cite Them Right)

There are different versions of the Harvard referencing style. This guide is a quick introduction to the commonly used Cite Them Right version. You will find further guidance on the Cite Them Right Database.

For more help and support with referencing, and links to other style guides used at the Open University, have a look at the Library’s page on referencing and plagiarism. If you need guidance referencing OU module material you can check out which sections of Cite Them Right are recommended when referencing physical and online module material.

This guide does not apply to OU Law undergraduate students. If you are studying a module beginning with W1xx, W2xx or W3xx, you should refer to the Quick guide to Cite Them Right referencing for Law modules.

In-text citations and full references
Secondary referencing
Page numbers
Citing multiple sources published in the same year by the same author
Full reference templates and examples

In-text citations and full references

Referencing using the Cite Them Right Harvard style consists of two elements

in-text citations, which are inserted in the body of your text and are included in the word count. An in-text citation gives the author(s) and publication year of a source you are referring to, and a page or paragraph number if relevant (see the Page numbers section for more details).
full references, which are listed in alphabetical order by author in a reference list at the end of your work. A full reference is where you put all the details of the source you’re quoting from or talking about. There are full reference templates for some of the more common source types in the Full reference templates and examples section, and many more templates on the Cite Them Right Database. Full references are not included in the word count.

Have a look at this example assignment on Cite Them Right to see examples of in-text citations and an example full reference list.

Difference between reference list and bibliography

a reference list only includes sources you have referred to in the body of your text.
a bibliography includes sources you have referred to in the body of your text AND sources that were part of your background reading that you did not use in your assignment.

Most Open University modules only require you to include a reference list – if you are required to include a bibliography this will be made clear in your assignment guidance.

Examples of in-text citations

You need to include an in-text citation wherever you quote from, summarise, or paraphrase from a source. An in-text citation consists of the last name of the author(s), the year of publication, and a page or paragraph number if relevant (see the Page numbers section for more information).

There are a number of ways of incorporating in-text citations into your work - some examples are provided below.

You can see further examples of setting out in-text citations in Cite Them Right.

One author	Two authors	Three authors	Four or more authors
It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Harris, 2015). OR It has been emphasised by Harris (2015) that good referencing is an important academic skill.	It has been emphasised (Shah and Papadopoulos, 2015) that good referencing is an important academic skill. OR Shah and Papadopoulos (2015) emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill.	It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Wong, Smith and Adebole, 2015). OR Wong, Smith and Adebole (2015) emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill.	It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Wong et al., 2015). OR Wong et al. (2015) emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill.

One author

Two authors

Three authors

Four or more authors

It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Harris, 2015).

It has been emphasised by Harris (2015) that good referencing is an important academic skill.

It has been emphasised (Shah and Papadopoulos, 2015) that good referencing is an important academic skill.

Shah and Papadopoulos (2015) emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill.

It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Wong, Smith and Adebole, 2015).

Wong, Smith and Adebole (2015) emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill.

It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Wong et al., 2015).

Wong et al. (2015) emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill.

Sources with no date
If the publication date is not given, the phrase 'no date' is used instead of a date in both the in-text citation and the full reference. Example: In an interesting survey of youth participation in sport, the authors (Harvey and Williams, no date) ...

Sources with no date

If the publication date is not given, the phrase 'no date' is used instead of a date in both the in-text citation and the full reference.

Example:

In an interesting survey of youth participation in sport, the authors (Harvey and Williams, no date) ...

Corporate authors
If a source has been created by a corporate body (e.g. a company, a government department, a university etc.) then use the name of that body as the author in both the in-text citation and the full reference. In-text citation examples: Initially only sites dating from prehistory or the medieval period were considered ‘heritage’ sites (English Heritage, 2024). For UNESCO (2024), gender equality is a global priority. With longer corporate names, you can use the initials of the name as an acronym in your intext citation. You should write out the name in full the first time you use it and use the abbreviation in your citation, as this makes it clear what the initials stand for. In-text citation examples: Good referencing is an important academic skill (The Open University (OU), 2024). ... in claims made by the United Nations Framework Conference of Climate Change (UNFCCC, 2014) ... In this example, any subsequent citations to The Open University or the United Nations Framework Conference of Climate Change would then use the abbreviations OU or UNFCCC. The full references would use the full names of the corporations, not the abbreviations.

Corporate authors

If a source has been created by a corporate body (e.g. a company, a government department, a university etc.) then use the name of that body as the author in both the in-text citation and the full reference.

In-text citation examples:

Initially only sites dating from prehistory or the medieval period were considered ‘heritage’ sites (English Heritage, 2024).
For UNESCO (2024), gender equality is a global priority.

With longer corporate names, you can use the initials of the name as an acronym in your intext citation. You should write out the name in full the first time you use it and use the abbreviation in your citation, as this makes it clear what the initials stand for.

In-text citation examples:

Good referencing is an important academic skill (The Open University (OU), 2024).
... in claims made by the United Nations Framework Conference of Climate Change (UNFCCC, 2014) ...

In this example, any subsequent citations to The Open University or the United Nations Framework Conference of Climate Change would then use the abbreviations OU or UNFCCC. The full references would use the full names of the corporations, not the abbreviations.

When there is no named author
When there is no named author or corporation to use in your in-text citation and reference, use the title of the resource in italics instead. In-text citation examples: It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Information Literacy in Higher Education, 2015). Information from Information Literacy in Higher Education (2015) emphasises that good referencing is an important academic skill. You would then use the resource title (in italics) in place of the author in the full reference.

When there is no named author

When there is no named author or corporation to use in your in-text citation and reference, use the title of the resource in italics instead.

In-text citation examples:

It has been emphasised that good referencing is an important academic skill (Information Literacy in Higher Education, 2015).
Information from Information Literacy in Higher Education (2015) emphasises that good referencing is an important academic skill.

You would then use the resource title (in italics) in place of the author in the full reference.

Secondary referencing
You use secondary referencing when you want to refer to a source that you have not read, that is mentioned or quoted in the work you are reading. To do this, you add the phrase ‘quoted in’ or ‘cited in’ (depending on whether the author of the secondary source is directly quoting or summarising from the primary source) to your intext citation, along with the details of the source that you are reading. In-text citation examples: West et al. (2007, quoted in Birch, 2017, p. 17) state that… Positive identity can be affirmed in part by a supportive family environment (Leach, 2015, cited in The Open University, 2022). Your full reference in your reference list would then be to the source(s) that you have actually read – in these examples the full references would be to the works by Birch and The Open University. There is no change to the structure of the full reference for these sources.

Secondary referencing

You use secondary referencing when you want to refer to a source that you have not read, that is mentioned or quoted in the work you are reading.

To do this, you add the phrase ‘quoted in’ or ‘cited in’ (depending on whether the author of the secondary source is directly quoting or summarising from the primary source) to your intext citation, along with the details of the source that you are reading.

In-text citation examples:

West et al. (2007, quoted in Birch, 2017, p. 17) state that…
Positive identity can be affirmed in part by a supportive family environment (Leach, 2015, cited in The Open University, 2022).

Your full reference in your reference list would then be to the source(s) that you have actually read – in these examples the full references would be to the works by Birch and The Open University. There is no change to the structure of the full reference for these sources.

Page numbers
You should include page numbers in your citation if you are quoting directly from, paraphrasing, or using ideas from a specific page or set of pages. You do not need to include page numbers if you are summarising (providing a brief overview of the main topics or points) a complete source, e.g. a whole book chapter or article. Add the abbreviation p. (or pp. if more than one page) before the page number(s). If your source does not have page numbers (for example, a webpage) then you could include a paragraph number instead if possible. Add the abbreviation para. before the paragraph number(s). Examples: Harris (2015, p. 5) argues that… In the drying process "polyphenol oxidizing reactions" form new flavour compounds (Toker et al., 2020, pp. 585–586)... The first step in planning a literature search is defining your research question (The Open University Library, 2025, para. 3).

Page numbers

You should include page numbers in your citation if you are quoting directly from, paraphrasing, or using ideas from a specific page or set of pages. You do not need to include page numbers if you are summarising (providing a brief overview of the main topics or points) a complete source, e.g. a whole book chapter or article.

Add the abbreviation p. (or pp. if more than one page) before the page number(s).

If your source does not have page numbers (for example, a webpage) then you could include a paragraph number instead if possible. Add the abbreviation para. before the paragraph number(s).

Examples:

Harris (2015, p. 5) argues that…

In the drying process "polyphenol oxidizing reactions" form new flavour compounds (Toker et al., 2020, pp. 585–586)...

The first step in planning a literature search is defining your research question (The Open University Library, 2025, para. 3).

Citing sources published in the same year by the same author
Add a lower-case letter to the date in the in-text citation and in the matching full reference to distinguish between the sources. Example: In-text citations: Snow is formed in part because the temperature drops enough that rain freezes (The Open University, 2025a), however the freezing temperature of water is often below 0°C under certain conditions (The Open University, 2025b). Matching full references: The Open University (2025a) '1.2 What are clouds?'. S111: Questions in science. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2409631&section=3 (Accessed: 19 August 2025). The Open University (2025b) '1.3.1 Snow and ice'. S111: Questions in science. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2409631&section=4.1 (Accessed: 19 August 2025). Note: this only applies when you are using multiple different sources with the same author and year – if you are referring to the same source more than once then you do not need to add a letter to the date. The citation will be the same each time and you only need to include the source once in your reference list.

Citing sources published in the same year by the same author

Add a lower-case letter to the date in the in-text citation and in the matching full reference to distinguish between the sources.

Example:

In-text citations: Snow is formed in part because the temperature drops enough that rain freezes (The Open University, 2025a), however the freezing temperature of water is often below 0°C under certain conditions (The Open University, 2025b).

Matching full references:

The Open University (2025a) '1.2 What are clouds?'. S111: Questions in science. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2409631&section=3 (Accessed: 19 August 2025).

The Open University (2025b) '1.3.1 Snow and ice'. S111: Questions in science. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2409631&section=4.1 (Accessed: 19 August 2025).

Note: this only applies when you are using multiple different sources with the same author and year – if you are referring to the same source more than once then you do not need to add a letter to the date. The citation will be the same each time and you only need to include the source once in your reference list.

Full reference templates and examples

Example with one author:

Almeroth-Williams, T. (2019) City of beasts: how animals shaped Georgian London. Manchester University Press.

RSPCA (2024) Caring for cats and kittens. Available at: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats (Accessed: 1 August 2024).

Where there are multiple authors, you should include them in your reference in the order that they are given - you should not attempt to reorder them.

Example with two or three authors:

Grayling, A. and Ball, B. (2024) 'Philosophy is crucial in the age of AI', The Conversation, 1 August. Available at https://theconversation.com/philosophy-is-crucial-in-the-age-of-ai-2359… (Accessed: 1 August 2024).

Chu, M., Leonard, P. and Stevenson, F. (2012) 'Growing the base for citizen science: recruiting and engaging participants', in J.L. Dickinson and R. Bonney (eds.) Citizen science: public participation in environmental research. Cornell University Press, pp. 69-81.

Example with four or more authors:

Young, H.D., Freedman, R.A., Sandin, T.R., and Ford, A.L. (2015) Sears and Zemansky's university physics. Addison-Wesley.

Young, H.D. et al. (2015) Sears and Zemansky's university physics. Addison-Wesley.

Note: You can choose either method to reference four or more authors (unless your School requires you to name all authors in your reference list). Your approach should be consistent.

Online module materials

(Including but not limited to written online module content, online module activities, audio-visual material such as online tutorials, recordings or videos, and glossary entries.)

When referencing material from module websites, the year of publication is the year that you started studying the module.

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication/presentation) 'Title of item'. Module code: Module title. Available at: URL of VLE (Accessed: date).

OR, if there is no named author:

The Open University (Year of publication/presentation) 'Title of item'. Module code: Module title. Available at: URL of VLE (Accessed: date).

Examples:

Rietdorf, K. and Bootman, M. (2024) 'Topic 3: rare diseases'. S290: Investigating human health and disease. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2332940 (Accessed: 24 January 2025).

The Open University (2025) ‘4 What makes a system secure?’. TM256: Cyber security. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2426934&section=5 (Accessed: 5 March 2025).

You can also use this template to reference videos and audio that are hosted on your module website:

The Open University (2024) ‘Video 2.7 an example of a Frith-Happé animation’. SK298: Brain, mind and mental health. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2369655&section=4.9… (Accessed: 22 November 2024).

The Open University (2025) ‘Audio 2 interview with Richard Sorabji (Part 2)’. A113: Revolutions. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=2416714&section=5.6 (Accessed: 12 February 2025).

Note: if a complete journal article has been uploaded to a module website, or if you have seen an article referred to on the website and then accessed the original version, then you reference the original journal article with no mention of the module materials. If only an extract from an article is included in your module materials that you want to reference you should follow the guidance for extracts on the referencing physical and online module material page.

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) 'Title of message', Title of discussion board, in Module code: Module title. Available at: URL of VLE (Accessed: date).

Example:

O'Mahony, N. (2024) ‘How the course works’, Welcome forum, in A215: Creative writing. Available at: https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/forumng/discuss.php?d=4749155 (Accessed: 24 January 2025).

Note: When an ebook looks like a printed book, with publication details and pagination, you should reference it as a printed book.

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) Title of book. Edition if later than first. Publisher. Series and volume number if relevant.

For ebooks that do not contain print publication details

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) Title of book. Available at: DOI or URL (Accessed: date).

Examples:

Bell, J. (2014) Doing your research project. Open University Press.

Adams, D. (1979) The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-ebooks (Accessed: 23 June 2021).

Note: Books that have an editor, or editors, where each chapter is written by a different author or authors.

Surname of chapter author, Initial. (Year of publication) 'Title of chapter or section', in Initial. Surname of book editor (ed.) Title of book. Edition if later than first. Publisher, Page reference.

OR if the source is online and unpaginated:

Examples:

Franklin, A.W. (2012) 'Management of the problem', in S.M. Smith (ed.) The maltreatment of children. MTP, pp. 83–95.

Olby, R. (2014) ‘Crick, Francis Harry Compton (1916–2004)’, in Oxford dictionary of national biography. Online edn. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/93883.

Note: When referencing a chapter of an edited book, your in-text citation should give the author(s) of the chapter.

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) 'Title of article', Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), page reference.

Note: capitalise first letter of each word in the journal title, except for linking words such as and, of, the, for.

If accessed online:

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) 'Title of article', Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), page reference. Available at: DOI or URL (Accessed: date).

Note: capitalise first letter of each word in the journal title, except for linking words such as and, of, the, for.

Examples:

Sridhar, S. (2025) ' Constructive peer review made practical: a guide to the EMPATHY framework', Journal of Marketing, 89(3), pp. 1-12.

Magni, F. (2024) ' Teachers’ shortage and initial teacher education reforms in Italy: an overview', European Journal of Teacher Education, 48(1), pp. 81-96. Available at: https://www-tandfonline-com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/doi/full/10.1080/0261… (Accessed: 13 August 2025).

Barke, M. and Mowl, G. (2016) 'Málaga – a failed resort of the early twentieth century?', Journal of Tourism History, 2(3), pp. 187–212. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/1755182X.2010.523145.

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) 'Title of article', Title of Newspaper, Day and month, Page reference.

Note: capitalise first letter of each word in the newspaper title, except for linking words such as and, of, the, for.

Surname, Initial. (Year of publication) 'Title of article', Title of Newspaper, Day and month, Page reference if available. Available at: URL (Accessed: date).

Note: capitalise first letter of each word in the newspaper title, except for linking words such as and, of, the, for.

Examples:

Mansell, W. and Bloom, A. (2012) ‘£10,000 carrot to tempt physics experts’, The Guardian, 20 June, p. 5.

Davis, N (2025) 'Scientists claim to have unlocked ‘secret sauce’ needed for fine chocolate', The Guardian, 18 August. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/aug/18/scientists-claim-to-hav… (Accessed: 19 August 2025).

Surname, Initial. (Year that the site was published/last updated) Title of web page. Available at: URL (Accessed: date).

Organisation (Year that the page was last updated) Title of web page. Available at: URL (Accessed: date).

Examples:

Robinson, J. (2007) Social variation across the UK. Available at: https://www.bl.uk/british-accents-and-dialects/articles/social-variatio… (Accessed: 21 November 2021).

The British Psychological Society (2018) Code of ethics and conduct. Available at: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-code-ethics-and-conduct (Accessed: 22 March 2019).

Note: Cite Them Right Online offers guidance for referencing webpages that do not include authors' names and dates. However, be extra vigilant about the suitability of such webpages.

Surname, Initial. (Year) Title of photograph. Available at: URL (Accessed: date).

Example:

Kitton, J. (2013) Golden sunset. Available at: https://www.jameskittophotography.co.uk/photo_8692150.html (Accessed: 21 November 2021).

stanitsa_dance (2021) Cossack dance ensemble. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/COI_slphWJ_/ (Accessed: 13 June 2023).

Note: If no title can be found then replace it with a short description.