Research Rules

Rules - whether we love them or not, they are in place so that systems can function smoothly. In research projects, students are required to cite sources that they’ve found to prove or back up their assertions or information. Giving credit to those sources involves some very definite and highly structured rules.

Instructors generally ask students to use APA (American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association) formats for their papers and for bibliographical information. The two styles are similar and serve the same purpose, but there are differences. APA, for instance, puts greater emphasis on the timeliness of material used than does MLA, which regards literature as timeless. The best plan for a student to put into place is to find and use a book or website that spells out exactly how to punctuate each entry and what information has to be included (author, title, etc.) and in what exact order the information has to be written. Developing a References page (APA) or Works Cited page (MLA) involves finding the right models or guidelines for entries.

One difficulty students encounter is precise classification of sources. Is the source an on-line journal or an institute’s web page? If the student has an up-to-date manual or web site that provides the right models to follow, the problem is often solved by finding the best fit. At times, the search for a model that is correct takes some digging, but it can be done.
A wise move when conducting research is to keep a hardcopy of all passages found, any that might be used later as quotes or paraphrased material. Note cards, although somewhat old fashioned, are a handy way to write down the information needed to cite sources as they are located.

Both APA and MLA require having in-text (APA) or parenthetical (MLA) citations as well as the list of sources compiled in a References or Works Cited or page. After a passage has been quoted or paraphrased, a parenthesis is added at the end of the text to tell the reader that it comes from another writer. The main idea to keep in mind is that a reader can go from the identification of the source, usually brief, in the student’s in-text or parenthetical citation to find the full information of where the source can be found in the References or Works Cited page. If I see the name Adams in parenthesis after a quote or paraphrase in the research paper, I should be able to go to the References or Works Cited page and find an entry that also has Adams as the first word of the entry and by that means be able to locate the book, web page, or magazine for myself if I decide to read further and find out everything Adams says in the original document.
References and Works Cited page entries have to be in alphabetical order, in accordance with the starting letters of each entry. There are also certain rules for indenting any lines after the first for each entry. Accurate models for types of entries are necessary because it is almost impossible for a human being to remember exactly how to punctuate all the different kinds of entries. Most instructors provide guidelines, and tutors at the Stone Writing Center are prepared to help students who have questions. The SWC website also provides information on both APA and MLA formats and citations (Research).

Although following all the rules for giving credit to other writers may seem as hard as finding the absolutely perfect shell along a two-mile stretch of beach, with practice - gaining actual experience by compiling bibliographical information - the mind and eye soon know where to look and how to see exactly what is just so, completely and perfectly right (like the shell I found with a tiny hole at the top, the best place and size for a necklace chain).

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!