Variation of Citations
You should switch up between the use of short and long quotes, as well as summaries/paraphrases. You should also vary the formatting of citations. For example, switch between signal phrases and parenthetical citations:
- Signal phrase: Smith (2020) argued…
- Parenthetical citation: (Smith, 2020)
Quality of Citations
To ensure that your manuscript and the arguments made within your manuscript, be sure to use high-quality citations. To help do so, keep in mind the following
- Citations should be accurate: When borrowing from a source, make sure that you copy the citation verbatim (word-for-word) when using it for short or long quotations. If you need to exclude part of a quotation, use an elipses (“…”) to signal to the reader that some information was omitted. If you need to change a word in the quotation to fit into your manuscript, such as changing verb tense, place the changed word within brackets (“[ ]”). If summarizing/paraphrasing, make sure that you are keeping the main idea and/or information in tact.
- Citations should be relatively recent: Depending on your field of study, you will most likely want information that you present to be up-t0-date with recent research. Try to use sources and citations that are recent, as these will tend to be more credible and better strengthen your argument. For example, when discussing nursing practices, it is better to cite a source that is from 2020 than from 1976.
- Citations should be from credible sources: Try to use citations from sources that are considered credible. Such sources include books, journals, even online articles. If using internet sources, try to use information from educational, government, or organization sites that have domain names such as “.edu,” “.gov,” and “.org.” Avoid using sites that end with “.com” or “.net,” as these are less industry or peer-reviewed sites. Information on such sites are vulnerable to inaccuracy.
- Citations should be concise, yet meaningful: When borrowing information, take only what you need in order to support your argument. While lengthy quotations may help meet an assignments page limit, such quotations are less likely to keep a reader’s attention.
- Use primary sources over secondary sources when possible: Instead of settling for using “as cited in,” try to locate the original source of the information you wish to use was presented.
Difference Between Research and Citations
The research you conduct should contribute to the formation of your own thoughts and ideas you present in a manuscript. To help validate these thoughts, strengthen them with citations from sources you found during the research process. However, your manuscript should not rely solely on citations from outside sources.
Remember to use citations to support your own thesis, thoughts, and ideas. Citations should not be the foundation of your manuscript, the research should.
Keep Track of Possible Quotes/Citations
While researching, mark quotations or sections of an article or book that stand out. Develop a system that allows you to easily go back and find these quotations if you do decide to use them.
Also, if you pull a quotation or identify a source you wish to use, make sure to also document the reference list information that will be needed. This will cut down on time spent retracing steps to retrieve this information later when creating your reference list.