Research Skills

There are 2 main elements in properly referencing a research paper:

1. Parenthetical References (within your paper)
   • Why use parenthetical references?
     • to indicate to your reader that you have used someone else’s words or ideas. This avoids plagiarizing, or using the work of others as your own;
     • to let your reader know the source of your quotation or idea. Because the parenthetical reference follows the quotation or paraphrasing, it indicates your source immediately to the reader.
   • When do you use parenthetical references?
     • for any piece of information, idea, quotation, etc. that is not your own;
   • When do you NOT have to use parenthetical references?
   • popular sayings;
   • facts which are common knowledge (e.g. the World Trade Center attacks happened on September 11th).
   • How do you use parenthetical references?
   • • information in the bracket is the first word(s) from your Works Cited entry – usually the author’s name – and the page number (if there is one);
     • if there is no author, include as many words from the beginning of the reference to differentiate it from a similar entry
       • for example, if you have 2 books with no author, one titled “Poverty and Homelessness in Canada” and another titled “Poverty in Canada” , your parenthetical references would be (Poverty and Homelessness 123) and (Poverty in Canada 123) respectively;
     • web sites do not have page numbers so no number would appear in brackets.
     • for APA format, do NOT use page numbers UNLESS it you have used a direct quote!
   • Where do you put parenthetical references?
   • • directly after the direct quote or fact or idea that you have used.
       • “Employee morale was only one of Iacocca’s many worries” (Abodaher 318).
       • Iacocca had many worries, including employee morale (Abodaher 318).
     • NOTE: if you use a number of ideas, all from the same source, within one paragraph AND have put all the ideas into your own words, simply put the parenthetical reference at the end of the paragraph.
2. Works Cited (your list of references – citations – at the end of the paper)
   Every assignment (research paper, brochure, poster, etc.) that requires you to find new information (i.e. not your own idea or something you already know) requires a properly formatted Works Cited.
   • Works Cited – MLA example (including List of Images Used)
   • Works Cited – APA example (including list of Images Used)
   There are a few key things to remember:
   • You must cite (create a citation for) every resource (book, journal article, web site, etc) you use – and ONLY those sources you use (i.e. don’t add extra items to your Works Cited to make it look better – that’s a form of plagiarizing!)..
   • Your list of sources must be in ALPHABETICAL order! (by the beginning of each citation – author’s last name, title of book, etc.)
   • Use hanging indents (first line left justified, all following lines indented)
   • Use appropriate formatting (MLA or APA – check with your teacher). The following are condensed (or “cheat sheet”) versions of the RCSS Style Guide (currently under revision):
     • Citations in MLA format
     • Works Cited & Parenthetical Referencing cheat sheet – APA
   • How to reference Figures & Tables: photos, images, maps, etc. (MLA or APA)
   • Powerpoint presentation on how to cite photos
   • Sometimes you are required to do an Annotated Works Cited – evaluative or summary (use either MLA or APA – this example uses APA).
   A citation maker can also help you create citations – but be sure to double check against the examples given in the cheat sheets/Style Guide since they still make mistakes.
   • OSLIS Citation Maker ~ MLA
   • OSLIS Citation Maker ~ APA

Remember!