2.2.9 Prominence principles

When incorporating a source into your writing, you need to decide whether the focus is on the author or the information.

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  • If the author is significant, you can include the author’s name as part of your text.

    Examples of author prominent referencing:

    • Gold and Kray (2008) discuss social emergence ...
    • Research by Mackay (1993) suggests that ...
    • A study by Johnston (2012) indicates that .

  • If the author is not significant and the idea or information is the focus, then the author’s name does not appear as part of your text.

    Examples of information prominent referencing:

    • Sociology studies have tried to identify the common values which exist in Australian society (Horne, 1964)
    • Qualitative methodology is concerned with “images, feelings, impressions and qualities” (Bouma, 2000, p.19)

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