SPMA Referencing Booklet
SPMA Referencing Booklet
SPMA Referencing Booklet
2015
As assignment, research proposal, dissertation or thesis is a scientific document, which should not
only conform to basic research and content requirements, but also to specific technical
requirements. The following paragraphs outline some general guidelines pertaining to the technical
aspects of academic writing.
i.
Scientific documents (journal articles excluded) should include a table of content that
outlines the list of headings as well as the associated page numbers. Main heading
should be capital letters and subheadings not. See the following example:
T TABLE OF CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION . 1
2. DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS . 2
2.1 Public Administration . 3
2.1.1 Public policy making 4
3. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION ..
5
3.1 Models for policy implementation 7
9. CONCLUSION .. 10
2The headings in the text should be in exactly the same format as in the table of
content (in terms of the use of capital letters, bold, italic etc.)
Paper size
A4
Arial, 12pt
1 spacing
Language setting
Margins
2 cm
2.54 cm
Heading
format
numbering
Paragraph formatting
Page numbers
Front page
Table of Contents, List Roman numerals, small caps (e.g., i, ii, iii)
of Figures, List of
tables
None
List of References,
Appendices
ii.
iii.
Headings and sub-headings should be a true reflection of the main theme, should be
clear, not too vague and not too long. Do not underline headings. Do not refer to the
number of acts (legislation/regulations) in headings just the title of the act. Separate
headings by writing, under the first heading, something pertaining to the topic which will
be discussed in the subsequent paragraph (bridging sentence or paragraph) for example:
2. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
Numerous models for policy implementation exist and will be described in
the following paragraphs.
2.1 Models for policy implementation
Models for policy implementation in the
iv.
Do not start each word in a sub-heading with capital letters, thus in sentence case
write as you would when using the same concepts in a sentence. For example:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
2.1 Intergovernmental relations in a developmental state
Not
2.1 Intergovernmental Relations in a Developmental State
v.
Using words to indicate numbers from nought to nine, use words for example: there
were seven public officials in the meeting representing their different departments. The
only exception is if age is expresses, for example: The head of the mission is 39 years old.
Any number above nine, use figures, for example: Only 40 delegates attended the
conference. Numbers starting from ten, will be 10, 21, 30 and so forth.
vi.
Avoid the narrative style of writing or using concepts or phrases that exaggerate or
reflect emotion. Try to be objective when describing or commenting on an issue. See
the following examples:
This experience taught me a significant lesson in life and it assisted me to change
the way I used to perceived people living with disability. After that symbolic
welcome, everybody was back at work performing his/her duties without visible
supervision. I have also learnt that proper internal controls play an important role
in instilling discipline among workforce in any given work environment.
Avoid:
At the break of dawn on the new South Africa (note it is the democratic South
Africa, not new South Africa)
vii.
viii.
ix.
The National Development Plan (NDP) (2011:3) outlines the priorities of the
government of South Africa.
Later in text
According to the NDP (2011:13) there are numerous intergovernmental relations
structures and forums in South Africa.
Or
The Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 (Act 15 of 2005) (hereafter
referred to as the IRFA) outlines the role, composition and functions of the various
intergovernmental relations forums.
Later in text
The various steps in the intergovernmental relations dispute resolution process are
outlined in the IRFA.
x.
Introduction
Opening with quotation/statement/anecdote; context of past research what has happened?
Condition of ignorance what is current situation? Cost of ignorance what will happen without
research?
Gist of solution what do you intend to do?
Content
Discussion of subject matter; literature review and discussion of aim/goal of assignment
Conclusion
Gist of solution; larger significance or application; what is still not known?
Closing quotation/statement/anecdote (return to aim of assignment)
There must be a clear link between the introduction and the conclusion
xi.
Writing skills:
Requirements for scientific writing:
Objectivity
Systematic presentation
Conciseness
Language usage
Spelling and sentence construction comply with language rules
Thoughts must be expressed clearly, unambiguously and intelligibly
Use of pompous or vulgar language must be avoided
Assignment must be easily understandable and should read
smoothly
xii.
Plagiarism
What is it?
*
Direct quotation without recognition
Why should it be avoided?
*
Unethical illegal and subject to discipline
Consult UP Library/AIS website for full plagiarism policy
2. REFERENCE TECHNIQUES
Consistency is key
2.1
Books
i.
Dunn, W.N. 2014. Public policy analysis. Fifth Edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
Kumar, R. 2014. Research Methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Fifth edition. London:
SAGE Publications.
Mounin, G. (rd). Dictionnaire de la linguistique. 2. dition. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.
Thouless, R. 1974. Straight and crooked thinking. London: Pan.
Text reference
Dunn (2014:9-11) illustrates this by ...
ii.
Sidanius, J. and Pratto, F. 1999. Social Dominance: An Intergroup Theory of Social Hierarchy and
Oppression. New York: Cambridge University Press
Dekker, E. & Van Schalkwyk, O.J. (eds). 1989. Modern education systems. Durban: Butterworths.
Text reference
Cloete and de Coning (2011:12) maintain ...
... can be seen as taking place (Cloete & de Coning 2011:45).
iii.
Cheminais, J., Bayat, S., van der Waldt, G. and Fox, W. 1998. The Fundamentals of Public Personnel
Management. Cape Town: Juta.
Text reference
First text reference - mention the names of all the authors.
Cheminais, Bayat and van der Waldt (1998:89 -109) discuss this problem in detail.
Subsequent references - use the name of the first author followed by et al (not italicised).
Cheminais et al. (1998:89 -109) discuss this problem in detail.
2.2
Corporate bodies
South Africa. National Planning Commission. 2011. National Development Plan-Vision 2030. Pretoria:
Government Printers.
Note: In the first example above the corporate body is both the author and the publisher of the book.
In such cases the publishers name is omitted from the imprint.
Text reference
... as illustrated (Apartheid Museum 2001:2).
... as reported (Department of Education 1999:10).
not mentioned (National Planning Commission 2011:11)
2.3
Anonymous works
Certain reference works are universally known by their titles and it makes things considerably easier
for the reader if these works are listed under their titles.
List of References entry
Concise Oxford Dictionary. 1976. Sixth edition. Sv accountable. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1964. Sv participation. London: Benton.
7
Text reference
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary (1976:8), "accountable" refers to
or
Accountable is to be bound to give account (Concise Oxford Dictionary 1976:743).
as mentioned before (Encyclopaedia Britannica 1964, sv optics).
Note: sv is an abbreviation of the Latin expression sub verbo, which means under the word, in
other words the word consulted in the dictionary.
2.5
For the sake of convenience the following examples are given in this section on books, but the
principles apply to any source where the date or place of publication or the copyright date is lacking.
If the date of publication is unknown, an abbreviation of the Latin expression sine anno (without
year) is used in square brackets. If the place of publication is unknown, an abbreviation of the Latin
expression sine loco (without place) is used in square brackets.
List of References entry
Jones, D.A. [Sa]. South Africa and its peoples. Johannesburg: Southern.
Smit, W.P. 1950. Cape gourmets. *Sl+: Gourmets Guild.
Text reference
According to Jones ([sa]:14) there are ...
... in that regard (Jones [sa]:10).
Note: The S of both sine anno and sine loco is capitalised because it introduces a new element of
the bibliography. In the text reference s is written with a small letter.
2.6
If a collective work is listed in its entirety, the bibliographical entry resembles that of a book, except
that the editors function is mentioned. The format differs for contributions in collective works.
i.
Hilliard, V.G. 1994. Corruption in the public sector-causes and remedies. In Bayat, M.S. and Meyer,
I.H. Public Administration. Halfway House: Southern Publishers.
Text reference
Hilliard (1994:267) concludes ...
2.7
Text reference
Nkwana (2014:90) maintains that ...
... as indicated (Nkwana 2014:90).
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Unpublished works
i. Dissertations or theses
Netshikhophani, A. F. 2012. A Conceptual Training and Development Framework for Public Educators
in the Limpopo Department of Education. Unpublished PhD thesis. Pretoria: University of Pretoria.
Text reference
... the kind of trust (Binikos 2006:5).
ii. Unpublished papers
List of References entry
Zerubavel, E. 1978. The Benedictine ethic and the spirit of scheduling. Paper presented at the annual
meeting of the International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations, Milwaukee, April.
10
Diale, A.J. and Holtzhausen, N. 2005. Public or Protected Disclosure? The fallacy of whistle-blower
protection in South Africa. Paper read at the South African Association of Public Administration and
Management (SAAPAM) conference, Pretoria, 20-21 October 2005.
Text reference
Zerubavel (1978:6) states that ...
iii. Acts
The following format is used for the text reference:
List of References entry
South Africa, Republic. Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 (Act 13 of 2005). Pretoria:
Government Printer
Text reference
... as stipulated in the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 (Act 13 of 2005).
The Presidents Coordinating Council is an intergovernmental relations structure (Section of the
Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 [Act 13 of 2005]).
iv. Internet references
Smith, MN. 2012. Phenomenology: what's new? Available at: www.noesi.htm (Accessed on
25/06/2012).
Text reference: As stated by Smith (2012)
(Take note that the www reference cannot be in blue ink as it means it is a life link)
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The three steps in PPP development range from low, to sophistication, to high. The
following figure indicates the market development curve.
Figure 1:
High
Stage Three
Stage Two
Potential to leapfrog
Sophistication
Stage One
Low
Activity
High
RISK
Planning or statutory
Misspecification of
output requirements
Performance
APPROPRIATE
PARTY
DETERMINANTS
SOUTH
AFRICA
Public
Public
Private
Source: Authors Own, ideas adapted from Iossa et al. (2007:4-15) and IMF (2004:18, 31)
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(Example of the cover page that must be used for all undergrad and honours assignments)
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I understand what plagiarism entails and am aware of the Universitys policy in this regard.
2.
I declare that this proposal is my own, original work. Where someone elses work was used
(whether from a printed source, the Internet or any other source) due acknowledgement was
given and reference was made according to departmental requirements.
3.
I did not copy and paste any information directly from an electronic source (e.g., a web page,
electronic journal article or CD ROM) into this document.
4.
I did not make use of another students previous work and submitted it as my own.
5.
I did not allow and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of presenting it as
his/her own work.
Signature
Date
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NOTES
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