How to reference sources in a maths EPQ
Cite every idea, result, proof, data set, diagram or piece of software that is not your own, where you use it and again in a list at the end. Use one style consistently (your school may name one).
The rules that matter
- Pick one style (for example Harvard) and use it throughout.
- Cite in the text where you use a source, not only in the bibliography.
- Cite a proof you follow, even when you explain it in your own words.
- Cite data and diagrams you did not make, and say if you adapted them.
- Acknowledge AI tools: AQA and Pearson's guidance asks for the tool's name and the date, and a non-editable copy of what you asked and what it produced.
- Record full details as you read: you will not find that page again.
What to record
| Source | Record |
|---|---|
| Book | Author, year, title, edition, publisher, pages used. |
| Journal article | Author, year, title, journal, volume, pages, DOI or link. |
| Lecture notes | Author, year, title, course and university, link, date accessed. |
| Data set | Organisation, year, title, link, date accessed, any filtering you did. |
| Software or code | Name, version, maker, link, and what you used it for. |
| AI tool | Name, date, what you asked, what you used, and a screenshot kept as your school requires. |
Citing a proof you rewrote
Explaining a proof in your own words is exactly what a maths EPQ needs, but the idea is still someone else's. One sentence, such as "the proof below follows [source], with the steps expanded", protects you and shows the marker what is yours.
Frequently asked questions
Which referencing style should I use for my EPQ?
Any recognised style, used consistently, unless your school names one. Harvard is a common choice.
Do I need to reference Desmos, GeoGebra or Python?
Yes: name the software and what you used it for. You still need to explain the maths behind any output.
Your EPQ must be your own work. These pages coach: ideas, structure, checklists and planning. Submitting text, proofs, code or analysis written by someone else or by an AI tool as your own is malpractice. How to use help and AI honestly.