Incorporating Sources and Using References
Incorporating sources and using proper referencing are really important for academic writing. They make your work more believable and professional, show your engagement with the literature, and help you avoid plagiarism. You can also show off your critical thinking abilities in the way you use references. Here are some tips about how to incorporate sources and use referencing in your academic writing.
Incorporating Sources
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Quoting: Only use direct quotes when the exact wording is important or when the author’s phrasing is particularly powerful. Always use quotation marks and include a citation.
Example: "According to Smith (2020), “effective communication is key to successful teamwork” (p. 45)."
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Paraphrasing: This is when you put the information from a source into your own words. This shows your understanding of the material and integrates it smoothly into your writing. Always include a citation.
Example: "Smith (2020) emphasises that successful teamwork relies heavily on effective communication."
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Summarising: This is when you condense the main ideas of a source into a brief overview. This is useful for providing background or context. Again, always include a citation.
Example: "Smith (2020) provides an overview of the importance of communication in team settings."
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Integrating Sources: Seamlessly integrate sources into your writing by introducing them with phrases that indicate their relevance or your assessment of them.
Examples:
"As emphasised by Smith (2020), effective communication is essential for teamwork."
"Smith (2020) suggested that effective communication could be important for teamwork."
Using Referencing
- Referencing Style: Use the referencing style required by your discipline. At LSBU it is usually Harvard, but there are also courses that use OSCOLA or APA. Make sure you use the right one and stick to it.
- In-Text Citations: Provide in-text citations whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarise a source. This typically includes the author’s last name and the year of publication. Example (using Harvard style): ...(Smith, 2020)...
- References Section: At the end of your document, put a complete list of all sources cited in your work . Follow the specific format required by your referencing style. Example (using Harvard style):
Smith, J. (2020). Effective Communication in Teams. New York: Academic Press.
- Use Citation Tools: Citation management tools like Cite Them Right (the Cite Them Right How-to-guide will help you get started) or Refworks (the Refworks How-To guide shows how to use all the features) to organize your sources and make citations and reference lists.
- Check for Accuracy: Ensure all citations and references are accurate and complete. Make sure that every in-text citation has its corresponding full entry in the reference list - and of course, that every entry in the references section does have a citation in your text.
Using Sources to Show Critical Thinking
It is important to show critical thinking in your writing. One way of doing this involves the way you use sources and references. You can use sources and references not just to support your arguments, but to show that you have thought about the material, demonstrating your ability to analyse, evaluate, and synthesise information. Here are some strategies to help with this:
1. Evaluate Sources
Rather than always using "said" when you bring in ideas from the literature, you can choose more descriptive phrases that show the reader your evaluation. Examples:
- Critical Language: “While Smith (2020) provides a comprehensive overview, the study’s limited sample size raises questions about its generalisability.”
- Comparative Analysis: “Unlike Jones (2018), who argues that…, Brown (2019) suggests that…, highlighting a significant debate in the field.”
2. Synthesise Information (i.e. use more than one source)
One of the key skills for critical thinking is synthesising. This means looking at ideas from different sources to make a new idea or understanding. Examples:
- Integration: “Combining the findings of Smith (2020) and Brown (2019) suggests a more nuanced understanding of…”
- Contrasting Views: “Although Smith (2020) emphasizes…, Brown (2019) offers a contrasting perspective that…”
3. Question Assumptions
Show that you have noticed and thought about assumptions in the literature. Examples:
- Critical Examination: “Smith (2020) assumes that X is true, but this assumption may not hold in all contexts, particularly when considering…”
- Alternative Explanations: “While the study by Jones (2018) attributes X to Y, it is also possible that…”
4. Develop Arguments
Show that you have thought about and put together an argument. Examples:
- Supporting Evidence: “Given the evidence presented by Smith (2020), it can be argued that…, despite the counterarguments presented by…”
- Balanced View: “This analysis leads to the conclusion that…, while acknowledging the limitations noted by Brown (2019).”
5. Reflect on Implications
Show that you have thought about the possible consequences, which might be important for society, or perhaps just for your research. Examples:
- Broader Impact: “The implications of these findings are significant for…, suggesting that further research should explore…”
- Future Research: “This raises important questions about…, which could have broader impacts on…”
6. Show your Critical Awareness:
Show that you have thought about the possible limitations to conclusions; how applicable or how generalisable they might be. Be careful not to choose words that are too strong. Examples.
- Hedging (using cautious language): “It could be argued that…, which suggests a potential limitation in…”
- Evaluative Phrases: “This evidence strongly supports…, although it is important to consider…”
Links
Find lots more, such as videos and HowTo Guides, by clicking on these links.
