Referencing science essays
Some university subjects have their own specific style for essay writing and referencing; these different conventions have arisen because of the special requirements of each subject. Understanding these different expectations is an example of cultural literacy. Here are two special points to be aware of in writing science essays.
Don't use page numbers
In science writing, in-text references do not require page numbers, unless you are directly quoting the author’s words.
Recent research has shown that the dolphin faces rapid extinction in the waters of the Pacific (Jones 1997). However, it has been suggested that ‘immediate cessation of all net fishing will allow numbers to gradually increase’ (Austen 1998:25).
Don't chunk information
Because so much basic information for science essays has to be taken from books and articles, it’s easy to present this as a sequence of chunks without much comment of your own. Typically, each chunk takes up one paragaraph followed by a single reference placed at the end of the paragraph. Avoid this because:
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it looks lazy
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the reader does not know which are your own sentences and which are paraphrases from your reading
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you are not demonstrating that you are able to analyse and synthesise information.
Instead, try to use information from several sources in each paragraph (although this is not always possible) and clearly distinguish your own comments from the ideas of others. Here is an example of good practice.
The plight of the dolphin has now become an issue that is close to home. Recent research has shown that the dolphin faces rapid extinction in the waters of the Pacific (Jones 1997). However, it has been suggested that ‘immediate cessation of all net fishing will allow numbers to gradually increase’ (Austen 1998:25), thus buying time for the survival of the species. Several studies in the Northern Hemisphere (Greenstreet 1996; Prince 1997; Coffey 1999) have indicated that this radical method is the only effective solution. Thus it is essential that Australian authorities respond quickly to the challenge.
Of course, this advice applies to essays in your other subjects too.
