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To reference Gibbs’ reflective cycle, cite Graham Gibbs’ Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods (1988) if that is the work you read. The Harvard and APA 7 examples below describe the original publication. If you used a later reproduction or a webpage explaining the cycle, reference that source accurately instead.

Harvard Referencing Format for Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle

A Harvard example for the original publication is shown below. Harvard is not one universal style: follow your university’s required punctuation, capitalisation and publisher format.

Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Oxford: Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic.

In-Text Citation Options

When referencing Gibbs’ work within your text, use one of these formats:

Single author citation:

• “Gibbs (1988) presents a structured approach to reflection…”
• “Using the reflective cycle (Gibbs, 1988), the analysis revealed…”

For a direct quotation, add the page number from the edition you actually used. The following is a template, not a verified quotation or page reference:

• Gibbs (1988, p. [page number]). Replace [page number] with the actual printed page; do not copy the placeholder.

APA 7th Edition Reference Format

For the original publication in APA 7, use the following book reference. In text, write Gibbs (1988) or (Gibbs, 1988). Add a page number for a direct quotation; APA 7 does not include a publisher location in the reference list:

Gibbs, G. (1988). Learning by doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic.

Source check: Oxford Brookes University’s publications guidance identifies the original work as Gibbs’ 1988 Learning by Doing, associated with the Further Education Unit and Oxford Polytechnic.

What is Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle?

Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle is a six-stage model that guides individuals through a reflection process, breaking down an experience into key components. Each stage encourages a deeper understanding of the experience, fostering critical thinking and actionable insights. Here’s a brief look at each of the six stages:

1. Description – What happened during the experience?
2. Feelings – What were your thoughts and emotions?
3. Evaluation – What was good or bad about the experience?
4. Analysis – Why did things go well or poorly?
5. Conclusion – What have you learned?
6. Action Plan – How will you approach similar situations in the future?

By following these stages, individuals can process experiences methodically, gaining new perspectives and strategies for improvement.

Key Details About the Original Publication

The original work was published by:

• Author: Graham Gibbs
• Year: 1988
• Publisher: Further Education Unit
• Institution: Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University)
• Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Common Citation Scenarios

Referencing the Complete Reflective Cycle

When discussing the entire model, use:

“Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988) provides a structured approach to reflection through six distinct stages…”

Referencing Specific Stages

When referring to individual stages, use:

“In the evaluation stage of Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988), practitioners are encouraged to…”

Digital and Online References

First distinguish a digital copy of a book from a webpage about the cycle. Oxford Brookes hosts an author-permission reproduction of Learning by Doing. Do not assume its PDF viewer page numbers match the original print edition. Record the version you consulted and follow your institution’s rules for reproduced works.

For a Harvard style that requires an online location and access date, the following is a template only. Replace [URL] and [date] with real details, and check that the year and publisher match the version you used:

Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods [Online]. Oxford: Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic. Available at: [URL] (Accessed: [date]).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Institution Name
   • Correct: Oxford Polytechnic
   • For the original publication, do not substitute Oxford University or rename its publisher as Oxford Brookes University. A later Oxford Brookes reproduction should be identified as such.
2. Wrong Year
   • Correct: 1988
   • Do not change 1988 to 1998 merely because another webpage uses that date. If your copy is a later edition or reprint, record its actual publication details.
3. Incomplete Publisher Information
   • Include both “Further Education Unit” and “Oxford Polytechnic”

Reference List Formatting

Print Version

Digital Version

Undergraduate Essays

Use the referencing style your course requires, whether Harvard, APA or another style. Example paraphrase opening: According to Gibbs (1988), … . Complete it with your own accurate account of the source.

Postgraduate Research

Include the full reference and consider citing specific pages: Gibbs (1988, pp. [first page]–[last page]). This is a template: replace both placeholders with the actual pages supporting your discussion.

Professional Documentation

Follow your organisation’s referencing requirements. If you reproduce or adapt a diagram, identify its actual source and check permission or licence terms; a caption alone does not establish permission.

Reference Management Software

For an original-print record, the fields below are a starting point. Check imported metadata against the publication you used, and select your required citation style. Reference software does not verify that a quotation or page number is correct.

1. Zotero
   • Document Type: Book
   • Publisher: Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic
   • Place: Oxford
2. Mendeley
   • Type: Book
   • Publisher: Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic
   • City: Oxford

Quick Reference Guide

Original Citation Elements:

• Author: Graham Gibbs
• Year: 1988
• Title: Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods
• Publisher: Further Education Unit
• Institution: Oxford Polytechnic
• Location: Oxford

Conclusion

Referencing Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle correctly is essential for clear, academic writing. Proper citation practices not only respect intellectual property but also add credibility and rigor to your work. Whether you are crafting a reflective essay for your coursework or documenting a learning process in your profession, understanding and applying Gibbs’ model can help you articulate insights and set actionable goals for the future.

If you only read a secondary explanation: cite that explanation, or use a secondary citation if your course permits it. Do not claim to have consulted Gibbs’ book solely because a website supplies its reference.

Need help applying the model? Read Gibbs’ reflective cycle explained. For other referencing tasks, see Driscoll, Schön and our academic writing resources.