The Library and AQLE created the current styles over 10 years ago. However, as resources have evolved over time, the RGU institutional styles have sometimes struggled to keep pace with these changes.

We have found that students can get very confused by the requirements of the institutional styles. This includes:

• Capitalising the author’s names
• Providing publication details for website references

This is quite different to the referencing methods they may have used in previous educational settings.

Changing the styles should streamline the experience for students and lessen their anxiety around referencing.

The default referencing styles will continue to be Harvard and Vancouver. But, our templates and support information will conform to the Cite Them Right guidance rather than the bespoke RGU guidance.

No. Harvard and Vancouver are the only styles with an RGU specific variant, so it will only be Harvard and Vancouver styles that are changing.

The Library also supports APA and OSCOLA referencing but the guidance for these is taken from the official bodies responsible for these styles.

The old RGU referencing styles will remain available in RefWorks for the foreseeable future. However, we will recommend that staff and students begin to use the new styles from September unless there is a specific requirement to use the older styles. For example, final year or January start students may find it preferable to continue to use the old bespoke styles during 24/25.

There should be no loss of data if converting existing RefWorks content to the new styles but some reformatting may be required.

The Library are in the process of creating the new styles within RefWorks and further details will be provided to colleagues once this work is complete.

No.

We will duplicate the current Harvard and Vancouver templates and update them with examples conforming to the Cite them Right variant.

We will continue to run regular workshops for Harvard referencing and the teaching materials will be updated to reflect the new style. We can also run classes on Vancouver, APA or OSCOLA referencing on request.

The changes to the referencing styles will have an impact on both staff and students. Tasks that colleagues will need to undertake include:

• Making a decision on which of your students can continue to use the classic styles. We recomend that only final year students and January 2024 starts should continue to use classic with all other students transitioning to the new styles.
• Updating any course documentation or materials that either include references or give advice on citing and referencing sources.
• Ensuring familiarity with the new styles so that effective marking of the citation and reference elements of submitted work can take place

Any links that direct students to the overall Referencing and RefWorks page or to the overall Harvard Template pages can remain in place. Links to specific sections of the Harvard or Vancouver guidance, or to individual templates, may need to be changed. These pages are still being worked on so links are not yet available.

We intend to run staff workshops during June and will create a recording for those unable to attend a live session.

We will also hold drop-in sessions where colleagues can ask questions and get support. Further information on these sessions will be provided via the Bulletin.

The decision was made to provide only limited information to students prior to September 2024. It was felt that providing this information at too early a stage would confuse students and lead them to misunderstand the timescale. We did not want to cause any panic to students who were undertaking exams or final submissions. Colleagues may advise their students that some changes are coming and that full information will be provided in September.