Referencing for nursing, health, and social care undergraduates; what do students understand and what do academics know?

Accurate referencing is a key tenet of academic work for all disciplines, though not all nursing, health and social care students consistently apply principles during their studies (Froste 2020; Lynch et al 2016). This can hinder a student’s academic achievement, with professional implications should practice fall far below expected standards (HCPC 2016; NMC 2023). Universities produce resources and signpost guides
for students on referencing, though despite this practice remains sub optimal. This project is designed to uncover what nursing, health and social care students know about referencing and what academic staff teaching these students, think students know about referencing.