Just teach them all how to use the EndNote software app - we did this at Southampton and not only did it help with all the student difficulties that you mention, it appealed to everyone rather than just the tech-savvy especially when they could see how easy it is to integrate with MS Word.

Why bother to teach a load of stuff about an academic process that is obviously still very important but which can be almost completely automated? These students are busy enough trying to learn about their subjects after all.

Anyway, EndNote still requires basic knowledge of the referencing process(es) as when entering info into the database manually, referencing protocols still need to be observed of course.

When I was teaching it at Southampton, in showing students the software I used the opportunity to teach them search strategies for getting the best out of e-Journals databases for example, which at the same time helped to ween them off finding everything from Google or worse!

Andrew Dykes
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Southampton UK

On Feb 15, 2013, at 12:02 PM, Kim Shahabudin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dear all,

I'm currently working on a project on teaching referencing and avoiding plagiarism. One of the big problems we keep seeing is a failure of students to engage with referencing guidance early on in their academic career, then developing bad habits which are difficult to break later on. A recommendation we are considering is to provide the incentive to engage early by having a compulsory 'test' or quiz, with guidance as to where the answers might be found.

I've been told by various people that other institutions already do this - Bath and Nottingham were two institutions mentioned, and I know Huddersfield are also putting something similar in place. If your institution uses a strategy of this sort, I'd be really grateful for any information on what you do, how it works, and whether you think it's effective.

I'm sure other people on the list would also be interested, but do contact me directly off-list if you're prefer.

Happy Friday!

Kim

Dr Kim Shahabudin, FHEA, Study Adviser, Study Advice & Maths Support
1st floor The Library, Whiteknights, University of Reading, RG6 6AE
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Please note that I now work part-time and am not usually on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays