In this blog, we will be considering one of the least common references used in the OSCOLA system – conference papers and proceedings. These can be a strong source to cite in your work (more on this below) so it is definitely worth learning the format for them. Obviously, you should consider the reliability and value of conference papers you use, but this goes for all secondary sources!
There is further information on the more unusual sources used in OSCOLA on pages 39–43 of the OSCOLA Referencing Guide 4th edn. I have already covered quite a few of these in previous blogs and will be working through the rest!
Before we look at how to reference conference papers, we will first consider when it is appropriate to cite them and how to decide whether they will strengthen your work or not. As usual, do feel free to skip past this bit if you have already evaluated your source and just want the referencing format.
When Can You Cite a Conference Paper?
Many students and legal writers are concerned about whether it is appropriate to cite a conference paper, for a range of reasons. They may think that it looks less professional than journal articles or doesn’t carry the same weight in their work. Alternatively, they may question whether the conference paper is a reliable source.
Whether it is appropriate to cite a conference paper will depend on a number of factors, such as what kind of writing you are doing, what the conference is and how widely recognised it is. In addition, it does depend on what context you are using the source in, as some areas of legal writing need to be focused more on fact and others can include discussion and opinions.
We will now consider some of these points in more detail, starting with what kind of writing you are doing. For example, if you are answering a question with a legal scenario where you need to apply the law to the given situation, a conference paper may not be the most reliable source or particularly appropriate. Your main sources for this kind of question should be the legislation that applies to it and any relevant cases, as these are another primary source of law.
On the other hand, if the question you are answering or addressing is one that is more focused on discussion, it may be acceptable to cite conference papers in your writing. They can back up points you are making and provide more background information than cases and legislation usually will. In addition, they provide evidence that what you are discussing is rooted in existing research and views.
It will also depend on what the conference is and how well-known and reputable it is. Some conferences are already well established as reliable sources for legal writing and can be used without issue. Others may need more consideration before you include them, especially if they are one that has a bad reputation! However, this also applies to other sources; some journals are considered more reliable than others.
Checking the background of the conference and its papers means evaluating the reliability of sources, an important skill for law (and other areas!). You will need to consider how accurate a source is, who the author is, how relevant it is to what you are writing and how recently it was created. In addition, you should decide on the purpose of the source – for example, is the author trying to inform or persuade? Once you have considered all of this, you should have a good idea of how reliable your source is.
Another point about whether or not to include the conference paper is what context you will be using it in. We already considered above how a conference paper may add value to your discussion, so this is one element of this. There is also the fact that you do not have to agree with the source; you may be citing it so that you can show why you disagree with this point of view, backing this up with other sources.
Another consideration is that if you have taken ideas from the conference paper, you need to cite it for your own work to be reliable! You have to include all the sources you have used, but you can still acknowledge that it may not be a reliable source in your writing.
Finally, is the conference paper publicly available? If it isn’t, get permission from the author first before you use it as a reference.
How Do You Reference Conference Papers?
The basic format for a conference paper reference is:
Author(s), | ‘Title’ | (Conference title, | Location, | Date of conference)
For example:
Ben McFarlane and Donal Nolan, ‘Remedying Reliance: The Future Development of Promissory and Proprietary Estoppel in English Law’ (Obligations III conference, Brisbane, July 2006).
The author should be in the format of their first name(s) or initial(s) followed by their last name in a footnote citation. In a bibliography, their last name will come first followed by just their initial(s), without any commas between.
After a comma, write the title of the paper. This is simply inside single quotes and should be written exactly as it is in the paper.
The conference title is also exactly the same as it is written in the paper and is followed by a comma, then the location, then another comma and finally the date of the conference. All of this should be inside brackets.
If you found the conference paper online and it is not published in a physical format anywhere, add the web address and date accessed to the reference:
Author(s), | ‘Title’ | (Conference title, | Location, | Date of conference) | <Web address> | Date accessed
For example:
C Kirkpatrick & C George, ‘Assessing the Impact of Trade SIAs’ (Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment Stocktaking: Implementing Sustainable Trade conference, Brussels, 22nd March 2006) <http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/iarc/pdfs/SIA_CONFERENCE_paper.pdf> accessed 20 August 2011.
Wrapping Up
I hope you now feel confident about referencing conference papers in your work and when it is appropriate to do this. Stop by in two weeks for more on OSCOLA referencing!
Want help proofreading your work? Contact Carmine Proofreading for a friendly, professional service from a qualified proofreader.
Email: CarmineProofreading@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarmineProofed
Carmine Proofreading 