Documentation
One of the integral skills of writing in a tertiary environment is being able to document information accurately by providing evidence to support your arguments and ideas. This can be done by supplying examples, explanations, comments or evidence of facts from published sources.
There are three reasons for documenting information. Firstly, it informs the reader of the source of the information; secondly, it enables the reader to check the sources; and thirdly, it allows interested readers to follow up information.
Keamy, R. & Reed, J. 1999, Study Skills Guide: A Quick and Easy Reference for Successful Study, 3rd edn, La Trobe University/Wodonga Institute of TAFE, Wodonga. p. 21.
Each faculty/department/school has produced their own guidelines for documentation. Students need to refer to these guidelines to ensure that they are following the appropriate style required for their discipline.
The La Trobe University Library provides a very comprehensive selection of style guides and manuals, including detailed information about referencing from electronic resources.