Chapter 14. Research, Citation and Academic Integrity

Finding sources. Use library catalogues, academic databases and reliable websites. Prefer sources written by experts and published by reputable organizations. Check the author, date, purpose and evidence [16][17].

Evaluating sources (the CRAAP test). Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.

Note-taking. Record the full source details when you take notes. Use quotation marks for exact words, and paraphrase carefully in your own words and structure.

Quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing

Quotation: exact words, in quotation marks, with a citation.

Paraphrase: the idea in your own words and sentence structure, with a citation.

Summary: a short version of the main points, with a citation.

Plagiarism. Presenting someone else’s words or ideas as your own, including copying from the internet or from other students, is plagiarism, and is a serious breach of academic integrity. Always acknowledge your sources [17][18].

Citation styles. Common systems include APA (author–date; widely used in social sciences), MLA (author–page; widely used in the humanities) and Chicago (notes–bibliography or author–date) [17][18][19]. Follow the style required by your teacher or institution.

Example, APA in-text: (Crystal, 2018). Example, APA reference: Crystal, D. (2018). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Using generative tools responsibly. If your school permits AI tools, follow its rules, verify any information they give you against reliable sources, and acknowledge their use as required.

Review: What is the difference between a quotation and a paraphrase? (Answer: a quotation uses the exact words with quotation marks; a paraphrase restates the idea in your own words; both need citations.)