A reference, or a references point, is the intensional use of one thing, a point of reference or reference state, to indicate something else. When reference is intended, what the reference points to is called the referent.

General Examples

Some general examples are:

  • the name Jane Doe used to identify a particular woman;
  • a traffic sign warning of an upcoming turn-off;
  • a wedding ring indicating a certain kind of relationship; and
  • samples of various musical works being incorporated into a new one.

References are indicated by sounds (like onomatopoeia), pictures (like roadsigns), text (like bibliographies), indexes (by number) and objects (a wedding ring); but endless concrete and abstract methods can be used intensionally. This includes methods that intensionally hide the reference from some observers, as in cryptography.

The following sections give specific usages of reference in different subjects.

Academics and scholarship

In academics and scholarship, an author-title-date information in bibliographies and footnotes, specifying complete works of other people. Copying of material by another author without proper citation or without required permissions is plagiarism.

Keeping a diary allows an individual to use references for personal organization, whether or not anyone else understands the systems of reference used. However, scholars have studied methods of reference because of their key role in communication and co-operation between different people, and also because of misunderstandings that can arise. Modern academic study of reference has been developing since the 19th Century.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Thu Nov 5 05:06:12 2009

What is the biological reference when hydrogen peroxide is mixed with catalase?
Q. Basically, in an experiment we added h2o2 to catalase which released o2 in a testtube. we had a pressure sensor attached to the test tube and this recorded enzyme activity. What is the biological reference to this experiment?
Asked by matt o - Thu Mar 20 17:58:22 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. i think it would be hydration because in the experiment the H2O2 breaks up into oxygen and water.
Answered by tarooka12 - Thu Mar 20 18:27:35 2008

How do I submit a credit reference to the credit agencies?
Q. I have a letter of reference from my apartment manager showing I have been in good standing for 4 years and I want to submit this to the 3 credit agencies. How do I do this?
Asked by Chad - Fri Sep 22 09:16:53 2006 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It can be done, I've read it in a book. I just don't know how to do it. My credit union who financed my car only reports to one bureau when I tried to have it reported to the other 2 I was told the credit union has to do it. Now my never late car note is only helping my credit score on one credit report. I know you can do it, sorry I couldn't be more help.
Answered by NETTA M - Fri Sep 22 12:13:41 2006

How do i get my lost passport reference back?
Q. Hi I am from hyderabad,India.I applied for my passport on 18th of june.I lost my file reference number while we were relocating.Its been a month and there is still no news of any police verification or anything.Since i dont have my reference number with me i cant even find out the status. Can anyone please suggest me what to do next? Can i retrieve my lost reference number? Thank you
Asked by swetha b - Mon Jul 27 03:17:55 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Did you actually try and call them. They might be able to find you only by personal details.
Answered by Amber A - Mon Jul 27 03:33:21 2009

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Reference"
Mon Nov 2 19:47:30 2009

American Medical Association House of Delegates - text of medical marijuana ... - Examiner.com
news.google.com
American Medical Association House of Delegates - text of medical marijuana ...

Examiner.com

6, A-01) Mr. Speaker, your Reference Committee recommends that the Recommenmdation in Council on Science and Public Health Report 3 be adopted as amended ...



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Dixon takes Top Fuel lead - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
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Dixon takes Top Fuel lead

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

There'll be six points Saturday (a reference to the two qualifying sessions) so we want to get as much as we can by Sunday. I would rather be a round up ...



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Silicon Labs and Vitesse Announce PoE+ Reference Designs for Energy Efficient ... - WELT ONLINE
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Silicon Labs and Vitesse Announce PoE+ Reference Designs for Energy Efficient ...

welt online

PK) today announced the availability of multiple reference designs to enable easy upgrades for Vitesse-based Gigabit Ethernet switches to support the ...



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From Google News Search: "Reference"
Sat Nov 14 23:29:31 2009

4RudiStor RP5 Reference 24 jpg
ipastudio.com
4RudiStor RP5 Reference 24 jpg
467px x 700px | 194.90kB

[source page]

RudiStor RP5 Reference 24

floorstanding Reference jpg
forums.klipsch.com
floorstanding Reference jpg
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[source page]

Re pictures are here attachment floorstanding Reference jpg

Reference twig DK jpg
botit.botany.wisc.edu
Reference twig DK jpg
242px x 640px | 39.70kB

[source page]

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From Yahoo Image Search: "Reference"
Sat Nov 14 16:38:02 2009

R-T-C: Puscifer C Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia ...
r-t-c.blogspot.com
R-T-C: Puscifer C Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia ...

Trellz0r

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:34:01 GM

C Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia . Reference. Here) [EP] Genre Industrial. Polar Bear; The Mission M Is for Milla Mix; Momma Sed Alive At Club Nokia; Vagina Mine Alive At Club Nok; Potions Deliverance Mix; The Humbling River ...

In Reference to Murder: Forgotten Books Friday A Country Kind of ...
inreferencetomurder.typepad.com
In Reference to Murder: Forgotten Books Friday A Country Kind of ...

BV Lawson

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:15:01 GM

Mary McMullen (1920-1986), a/k/a Mary Reilly Wilson, had an interesting writing pedigree. Her mother was the distinguished and prolific mystery writer, Helen Reilly, which brings up interesting comparisons between them and the ...

Brick and Click Symposium: Icebreaker: Mobile Reference
brickandclick.blogspot.com
Brick and Click Symposium: Icebreaker: Mobile Reference

Kathy

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:48:01 GM

UST Libraries developed a mobile . reference. program - i.e. "roving librarian" or "librarian with a laptop." Librarians visit public areas on campus to provide research assistance. The program has evolved into a partnership with the ...

From Google Blog Search: "Reference"
Sun Nov 15 09:31:02 2009