What is the Harvard citation format?

The Harvard citation format, also known as the author-date system, is a widely used international standard for acknowledging sources in academic writing. Primarily employed within the social sciences, it facilitates clear attribution and efficient source retrieval. Its core principle involves inserting brief in-text citations comprising the author's surname and publication year within parentheses (e.g., Smith, 2020). A corresponding reference list, alphabetized by author surname, provides complete source details at the document's end. Essential reference components include author(s), publication year, work title, and source publication details; electronic sources require stable access information like DOIs or URLs. Consistency in presentation throughout the document is paramount. This system enables source verification, demonstrates academic integrity, and helps avoid plagiarism. Its structured author-date approach efficiently directs readers to the full reference, supporting argument clarity. Mastering Harvard formatting is crucial for scholarly credibility and effective communication across various research contexts.