The usefulness of reference generators…and a word of caution

Reference generators like MyBib and Scribbr have become popular tools for students navigating the complexities of academic writing. These tools simplify the process of formatting citations and bibliographies, which means you get to save some precious time! However, while they are good starting points to quickly generate a reference, you should approach them with responsibility and caution.

Strengths of MyBib and Scribbr

  1. Ease of Use: Both MyBib and Scribbr are user-friendly, offering intuitive interfaces that allow you to input resource details quickly and generate citations in referencing styles like APA, MLA, Harvard and many more.
  2. Key Features:
    • Creates references for a variety of resources, including books, e-books, journal articles, websites and more!
    • MyBib integrates seamlessly with platforms like Word, ensuring smooth workflows during document drafting.
    • Scribbr offers features like secure backups and annotations to enhance organisation and protect work.
  3. Free Accessibility: Both tools are free to use, making them accessible to students across various academic levels. You can use them without an account or sign up for a free account to unlock more features.

Limitations to Consider

While these tools are helpful, they are not perfect. You should be aware of the following limitations:

  1. Accuracy Issues:
    • Citation generators can occasionally misinterpret uncommon or complex sources, leading to formatting errors.
    • Automated tools may struggle with non-standard references such as datasets or foreign-language texts.
    • Common errors by these tools are capitalisation, punctuation, spacing, formatting and even incorrect information or placement.
  2. Over-Reliance Risks:
    • Blindly trusting these tools without verifying the output can result in incorrect citations that compromise good academic practice. Do not just copy and paste the reference from MyBib or Scribbr directly into your assignment without checking (and checking again!) for accuracy.
    • Errors in citations can lead to deductions in grades and/or even accusations of plagiarism.

Best Practices for Responsible Use

To use citation generators effectively while minimising risks, you should follow these guidelines:

  1. Verify Every Citation: Always double-check the generated references against official style guides and your departmental guidelines to ensure accuracy and that you don’t lose marks for your referencing.
    • Ensure you’re following your departmental referencing style – check your department and module handbook.
    • Check the generated reference against the examples given in the Referencing and Plagiarism Awareness LibGuide. Tab 8 of the LibGuide has departmental referencing examples – find your department and cross check the reference for the source used (e.g. book, e-book, article, website etc.) is written in the correct format and order.
    • Seek guidance from your Subject Librarian. They offer one-on-one consultations and are experts in the specific referencing styles used in your fields of study.
  2. Understand reference rules: Familiarise yourself with the principles of academic referencing to spot errors and make necessary corrections – these reference generator tools are handy, but they can’t replace the skill of and the importance of knowing how to reference correctly.
  3. Use as a Starting Point: Treat tools like MyBib and Scribbr as initial aids rather than definitive solutions. They simplify the process but do not replace critical thinking or attention to detail.
  4. Cross-Check Sources: For complex or uncommon sources, consult additional resources or seek guidance from your Subject Librarian.
  5. Avoid Over-Reliance: Make sure to find a good balance between automation of these tools and manual effort—it’s all about staying in control of your academic work and learning the skill of referencing for yourself.

Yes, MyBib and Scribbr are valuable tools for simplifying citation management for academic writing. Their ease of use and accessibility make them ideal starting points for working on assignments. However, a few words of caution. They are not flawless, foolproof nor entirely reliable – it is essential that you double check and verify what is generated for accuracy. These tools should not be used as a substitute for a comprehensive understanding of citation and referencing style rules. Responsible use of these tools ensures that good academic practice is upheld while benefiting from their convenience.

From Resources to referencing

A book and notepadAssignments: from Resources to Referencing has been prepared by the Subject Librarians at the University to develop key information literacy skills essential for academic study – from finding high quality academic materials to citing resources correctly in your assignments. The module is available to all students on Blackboard.

The module currently contains three sections:

Library and IT Induction
• Provides everything you need to know about getting started with library services and collections.
• A quiz to practice using library resources.

Referencing and Plagiarism Awareness
• Helps you understand the importance of accurate referencing; how to create accurate citations and references; how to manage your citations using referencing software tools and how to interpret your Turnitin Similarity Report.
• This guide includes a quiz which allows you to practice the skills you have learned using the specific referencing style specified by your department

News & Media Literacy
• This guide helps develop critical skills in evaluating the information we consume online. You will learn how to define key concepts such as free speech, misinformation, disinformation and censorship; understand concepts of selection and bias in the media and how to spot fake news.
• This guide includes a quiz which allows you to test the knowledge you have gained.

Further guides and quizzes will be added to the module in future.
If you require guidance in using the module, have any questions on using library collections and services or have any feedback, please contact: librarians@aber.ac.uk / 01970 621896