Referencing Help
Why Referencing Matters
Referencing is a vital academic skill. It acknowledges the work of other authors, allows readers to trace your sources, and helps you avoid plagiarism. At MCHS, we primarily use APA and Harvard styles. Below you'll find quick guides and tools to make referencing easier.
APA 7th Edition
Commonly used in nursing, psychology, and social sciences. An APA citation includes the author's surname and year of publication.
In‑text citation: (Banda, 2023)
Reference list:
Banda, T. (2023). Healthcare in Malawi. MCHS Press.
Harvard Style
Widely used in many disciplines. Similar to APA but with some formatting differences (e.g., no comma between author and year).
In‑text citation: (Banda 2023)
Reference list:
Banda, T. (2023) Healthcare in Malawi. Blantyre: MCHS Press.
Reference Management Tools
Mendeley
Free reference manager and academic social network. Automatically generates citations and bibliographies in Word.
Download MendeleyZotero
Open‑source tool that collects, organizes, and cites your research sources with a single click.
Get ZoteroTurnitin
Plagiarism detection software used by MCHS to ensure academic integrity. Learn how to submit your work.
Turnitin GuideNeed Personal Help?
If you're still unsure about your citations, visit the library desk or book a one‑on‑one session with our referencing specialists. You can also email library@mchs.mw for assistance.