1 Courses in Sheffield

Professional Certificate in Understanding Plagiarism and Referencing aims to equip the learner with a comprehensive guide on summarising, rephrasing and utilizing the published work in your writing using the Harvard referencing style while avoiding plagiarism. Learning Outcomes After the successful completion of the course, the student will be able to understand: The concepts of Referencing and Plagiarism and Steps to Avoid It. Strategies to Effectively Paraphrase and Summarize information from different Sources. Implications of Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty. Tools for Detecting Potential Plagiarism. The concept of Citation and Referencing. Difference between Common Knowledge, Original Ideas. Different Citation Styles and Guidelines. Harvard Formats for Referencing. Tools for Adding References. Understanding Plagiarism and referencing Self-paced pre-recorded learning content on this topic. UNDERSTANDING PLAGIARISM AND REFERENCING Put your knowledge to the test with this quiz. Read each question carefully and choose the response that you feel is correct. All MSBM courses are accredited by the relevant partners and awarding bodies. Please refer to MSBM accreditation in about us for more details. There are no strict entry requirements for this course. Work experience will be added advantage to understanding the content of the course. The certificate is designed to enhance the knowledge of the learner in the field. This certificate is for very one eager to know more and get updated on current ideas in the respective field. We recommend this certificate for the following audience. CEO, Director, Manager, Supervisor Professional researcher, PhD student/Scholor Research Assistant Research report writer Research Supervisor Proof Reading Professionals Research and Development Roles Average Completion Time 2 Weeks Accreditation 3 CPD Hours Level Advanced Start Time Anytime 100% Online Study online with ease. Unlimited Access 24/7 unlimited access with pre-recorded lectures. Low Fees Our fees are low and easy to pay online.

This course is designed to help adult learners develop the necessary language skills for academic success in an English-speaking environment. Through a combination of reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises, participants will enhance their abilities to comprehend and produce academic texts, engage in critical thinking, and effectively communicate their ideas in written and spoken English.  Course Duration: 12 weeks (24 sessions) Course Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will: 1. Improve their academic vocabulary and understanding of complex grammatical structures. 2. Enhance their reading comprehension skills for academic texts. 3. Develop effective note-taking strategies for lectures and presentations. 4. Enhance their academic writing skills, including essay structure and research techniques. 5. Improve their ability to deliver academic presentations and participate in discussions. 6. Gain familiarity with academic conventions and citation styles. Course Outline: Week 1: Introduction to Academic English - Assessing participants' language proficiency and academic goals - Overview of the course syllabus and expectations - Introduction to academic vocabulary and common idiomatic expressions Week 2: Reading Comprehension - Scanning and skimming techniques for efficient reading - Strategies for understanding main ideas and supporting details - Vocabulary building through reading academic texts Week 3: Note-taking Skills - Effective note-taking during lectures and presentations - Organizing and summarising information - Practice exercises and listening activities Week 4: Academic Writing: Paragraph Structure - Understanding the components of a well-structured paragraph - Developing topic sentences and supporting ideas - Practice exercises on paragraph development Week 5: Academic Writing: Essay Structure - Introduction to essay structure: introduction, body, and conclusion - Crafting clear and concise thesis statements - Developing coherent and well-supported arguments Week 6: Research Skills and Citations - Introduction to academic research techniques - Evaluating sources for credibility and relevance - Understanding and applying citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA) Week 7: Grammar for Academic Writing - Review of essential grammar structures for academic writing - Practice exercises on sentence structure and complex grammar - Common grammatical errors to avoid in academic writing Week 8: Academic Writing: Research Papers - Understanding the research paper format and structure - Conducting literature reviews and integrating sources - Drafting and revising research papers Week 9: Academic Speaking: Presentations - Preparing and delivering effective academic presentations - Using visual aids and engaging the audience - Practicing presentation skills through individual and group activities Week 10: Academic Speaking: Discussions and Debates - Participating in academic discussions and debates - Expressing opinions and supporting arguments effectively - Listening and responding critically to others' viewpoints Week 11: Academic Writing: Critical Analysis - Analyzing and critiquing academic texts - Developing critical thinking and evaluation skills - Writing critical analysis essays Week 12: Review and Final Projects - Reviewing course content and addressing individual needs - Finalizing and presenting individual projects - Course evaluation and feedback session Note: This syllabus is a guideline and can be customised based on the specific needs and preferences of the participants. You can opt in and out of different modules. 

Master the art of precise and effective legal communication with our comprehensive course on Legal English Writing. Explore legal research, perfect citation styles, and gain hands-on experience in drafting various legal documents. Elevate your skills in legal correspondence, memoranda, and specialized areas such as litigation and transactional writing. Unlock advanced techniques to excel in the intricate realm of legal language. Enhance your legal writing prowess and confidently navigate the complexities of the legal field.

Introduction When it comes to academic writing, referencing is crucial. It’s not just about giving credit where it’s due, but also about enhancing the credibility of your work. Among the various referencing styles, Harvard referencing for word essays is one of the most widely used, especially in the UK. But why is it so popular, and how can you master it? Let’s dive in! Understanding Harvard Referencing Harvard referencing is a system of citation that allows you to acknowledge the sources you’ve used in your academic writing. It’s an author-date system, which means you include the author’s surname and the year of publication within the text, and provide full details in a reference list at the end. Despite its name, Harvard references didn’t originate from Harvard University. The style was first used by a zoologist named Edward Laurens Mark in a paper published in 1881. Over time, it has evolved and become one of the most recognized citation styles worldwide. Harvard referencing consists of two main components: in-text citations and a reference list. In-text citations are brief and are placed within the body of your text, while the reference list provides full details of all the sources you’ve cited. The Basics of Harvard Referencing In-text citations in Harvard referencing include the author’s surname and the year of publication. If you’re quoting directly, you should also include the page number. For example: (Smith, 2020, p. 23). The reference list is where you provide full details of each source cited in your work. Each entry should include the author’s name, year of publication, title of the work, and other relevant information, depending on the type of source. A reference list includes only the sources you’ve directly cited in your text, while a bibliography may include all sources you’ve consulted, whether or not you’ve cited them. How to Cite Different Types of Sources When citing a book, you should include the author’s name, year of publication, title (in italics), edition (if applicable), place of publication, and publisher. For example: Smith, J. (2020). The Art of Referencing (2nd ed.). London: Academic Press. Journal articles should include the author’s name, year of publication, title of the article, title of the journal (in italics), volume number, issue number, and page numbers. For example: Brown, A. (2019). ‘Understanding Harvard Referencing’, Journal of Academic Writing, 12(3), pp. 45-67. For websites, include the author (or organization), year of publication (or last update), title of the webpage (in italics), and the URL. For example: University of Oxford. (2021). Harvard Referencing Guide. Available at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/harvard (Accessed: 10 September 2024). When citing a newspaper article, include the author’s name, year of publication, title of the article, title of the newspaper (in italics), date, and page number. For example: Doe, J. (2022). ‘The Future of Academic Writing’, The Times, 5 May, p. 12. For government documents, include the name of the government department, year of publication, title of the document (in italics), place of publication, and publisher. For example: UK Department for Education. (2020). Education Policy Report. London: HMSO. Cite conference papers by including the author’s name, year of publication, title of the paper, title of the conference (in italics), location, and date of the conference. For example: Jones, M. (2023). ‘Innovations in Academic Writing’, International Writing Conference, Manchester, 10-12 April. Harvard Referencing for Electronic Sources When citing e-books, the format is similar to print books, but you should include the format (e.g., Kindle) or the platform where it’s available. For example: Adams, R. (2018). Digital Referencing (Kindle ed.). Available at: Amazon.co.uk. For online journals, follow the same format as print journals, but include the DOI or the URL where the article can be accessed. For example: Taylor, S. (2021). ‘Harvard Referencing in the Digital Age’, Journal of Modern Research, 15(4), pp. 33-50. DOI: 10.1234/jmr.2021.0987. The format for websites remains the same as mentioned earlier, with the inclusion of the URL and the access date. For social media, include the author (or username), year, content of the post (in italics), platform, and the date of the post. For example: @AcademicWriterUK. (2023). The key to successful referencing is consistency. Twitter, 15 March. Advanced Harvard Referencing Techniques When you can’t access the original source and need to cite a secondary source, mention both the original and secondary source. For example: (Smith, 1989, cited in Brown, 2019). For works with multiple authors, list up to three authors in the in-text citation. For more than three, use “et al.” after the first author’s name. For example: (Jones, Smith, and Brown, 2020) or (Jones et al., 2020). If you’re citing different editions of a book, mention the edition in your reference. For example: Brown, A. (2018). Theories of Learning (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. If some information is missing, like the author or date, use “Anon.” for anonymous authors and “n.d.” for no date. Common Harvard Referencing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Incorrect formatting can easily occur if you’re not careful. Make sure to follow the correct structure for each type of source, as this can significantly impact your grade. Leaving out essential details like the author’s name or the year of publication is a common mistake. Always double-check your references before submitting your work. Punctuation is crucial in Harvard referencing. Misplacing a comma or period can change the meaning of your citation. Pay attention to the details! Tools and Resources for Harvard Referencing Online citation generators can save you time, but be cautious—always double-check the generated citations for accuracy. Tools like EndNote or Zotero can help you manage your references and ensure consistency throughout your work. Many universities provide specific guidelines for Harvard referencing. Always refer to your institution’s guidelines to ensure you’re following the correct format. The Importance of Consistency in Harvard Referencing Consistency is key in Harvard referencing. Uniformity in your citations not only makes your work look professional but also enhances readability. Inconsistent referencing can confuse readers and may lead to a lower grade. Make sure your citations follow a consistent style throughout your work. Tips for Mastering Harvard Referencing Always double-check your references before submission. Small errors can add up and impact your overall grade. Keep a record of all the sources you consult. This will make it easier to create your reference list and avoid missing any citations. Using a Harvard style guide can help ensure that you’re following the correct format. It’s a handy tool for quick reference. Conclusion Mastering Harvard referencing may seem daunting at first, but with practice and attention to detail, it becomes second nature. Remember, proper referencing not only supports your arguments but also adds credibility to your work. So, take your time, be consistent, and use the resources available to you.