Earning the right to cite: Preventing students citing sources without first demonstrating they have read them

Which sources should we allow our students to cite in their assessed work? My response is: "Only those that have been read and understood". This presentation details the change in approach that prevents BSc Environmental Science students from citing any sources in their coursework or exams that they have not read and reflected upon. Here I document my experiences of turning the norms surrounding students’ references on their head and asking students to submit, for every assessment, a "Reference Appendix" that evidences their engagement with each cited source. I highlight four key advantages: better writing, essay mills, assessing engagement through reading and writing (rather than just attendance) and increasing the quality of personal tutoring, and reflect upon the implementation of this fundamental shift in practice.

Presented by: Dr Nicholas Worsfold, Associate Dean / Senior Lecturer (Education) in Environmental Science

Aims & Objectives