Citing PDFs might sound tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze. A PDF can be anything from a report to a book chapter, or even a journal article. The key to citing it right is figuring out what type of content it is. Once you know that, the process is simple. Let’s take a look at how you can do it using Harvard referencing style.
What’s the Deal with PDFs?
A PDF (Portable Document Format) is just a file type. It could be a book, a dissertation, an article, or even just a single report or chapter. The content inside the PDF determines how it should be cited in Harvard style.
For instance, if it’s a book, you’ll reference it like you would an online book. If it’s a journal article, you follow the same format you would for citing a regular article.
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The Basic Format for Citing a PDF
When you’re citing any kind of PDF, you’ll follow this general format:
In-text citation:
(Author’s Surname Year, p.#/pp.#/para.#/chapter # — whichever applies)
Reference list entry:
Author’s Surname, Author Initial(s). Year Published. Title of PDF in Italics [online]. City: Publisher. Available from: [URL] [Accessed Day Mo. Year].
Examples to Make It Clear
Here are some examples that will help you cite better.
Citing a Report or Book PDF:
- In-text citation:
“Social media plays a large part in the recruitment process” (Broughton et al., 2013). - Reference list entry:
Broughton, A. et al. 2013. The Use of Social Media in the Recruitment Process [online] 1st ed. Acas. Available from: http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/0/b/The-use-of-social-media-in-the-recruitment-process.pdf [Accessed August 8, 2014].
Citing a Journal Article PDF:
- In-text citation:
“Tensions grew significantly after the event” (Poynting, 2006). - Reference list entry:
Poynting, S. 2006. What Caused the Cronulla Riot? Race & Class, 48(1), pp.85–92.
What You Need to Remember
- Identify the Type of Content First
The first step is knowing what kind of PDF you’re dealing with. Is it a book? A report? A journal article? Each type follows its own format in Harvard referencing. - Use the Right Info
Always include the author’s name, the publication year, the title, and the URL. These are the basics, and they help make your citation clear and accurate. - Include the Access Date
Since PDFs are often hosted online, make sure you include the date you accessed the file. This is especially important if the document changes over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
To cite a PDF in Harvard style:
- Author(s) last name, initial(s).
- Year of publication.
- Title of PDF.
- [PDF] in square brackets.
- Available at: URL.
- Accessed: Date. Example: Smith, J. (2023). “Digital Marketing Trends.” [PDF] Available at: https://example.com/pdf Accessed: July 15, 2023.
If the PDF is a journal article, you’ll cite it like any other article. The only difference is that it’s a PDF.
Example:
Poynting, S. 2006. What Caused the Cronulla Riot? Race & Class, 48(1), pp.85–92.
Yes! A chapter in a PDF is treated the same way as an online book chapter. Just include the chapter title and the book title.
Example:
Jones, M. 2018. Marketing Strategies [online] in The Guide to Digital Marketing, pp. 102–115. Available from: http://example.com/chapter [Accessed 20 June 2023].
