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Research Process: Incorporating and Citing Sources

an introduction to the research process at a very basic level

How to avoid plagiarism?

This video demonstrates keys to avoiding plagiarism:

Bainbridge State College. (2010, January 5). Plagiarism: how to avoid it? [Video file]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/2q0NlWcTq1Y

Summarizing, Paraphrasing & Quoting

A summary is an edited and condensed version of the original source.

When you summarize:

  • Keep your summary clear and brief.
  • Cling to just the key points.
  • Make sure to write the summary in your own style.

Note: Attribute with an in-text citation; some citation styles request that you provide a page or paragragh number whenever available.

A paraphrase is a restatement of another person's ideas in your own style and words. 

When you paraphrase, you must:

  • Change the sentence structure
  • Exactly express the original author's ideas.

Note: Attribute with an in-text citation; some citation styles request that you provide a page or paragragh number whenever available.

Quotes are a copy of what another author wrote.

When you quote:

  • Make sure quotes are put between "quotation marks."
  • Ensure that you do not over-rely on quotes.
  • Use quotes from reliable sources.

How to cite:

  • Place quotation marks around the entire word-for-word passage, whether it's a phrase or a sentence.
  • Attribute with an in-text citation; most citation styles request that you provide a page or paragraph number when directly citing.  
  • If your quotation is longer, check with your citation style guide to see if additional formatting is necessary (block quotations, for example).  

Citation Styles

The majority of USEK faculties use APA 6th Edition style. If you are unsure which style to use please check with your instructor.

The research guide below, will give you instructions on how to use APA 6th edition referencing style:

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