Miami Valley Career Technology Center - When to Document a Source

When to Document a Source in a Research Paper

Deciding which information you must document, or give credit to, in a research paper sometimes requires thought. That thought process can start with noticing what is or is not documented when you read reports or research. The following guidelines will also help you avoid pitfalls when documenting your information.

In general, don't document information that appears in several sources or facts that appear in standard reference books. For example, a statement like "Their Eyes Were Watching God is generally considered Hurston's first novel" needs no documentation because it clearly relies on several sources. The main facts of her life that are available in encyclopedias and other standard references also do not need to be credited.
Document the source of each direct quotation (unless it is very widely known, such as Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death!").
Document any original theory or opinion other than your own. Since ideas belong to their authors, you must not present the ideas of other people as your own.
Document the sources of data or other information from surveys, scientific experiments, and research studies.
Document unusual, little-known, or questionable facts and statistics.

NOTE: Remember that you must give credit when you use another writer's words or ideas. Not to do so is plagiarism, an extremely serious offense. Even a summary or paraphrase of someone else's original idea must be documented. When in doubt about plagiarism, give credit.

For instructions on how to write insert notes click here.

Some examples of when and when not to document a source:

Direct quotation: The sinking of the Titanic "signaled the end of the Edwardian era in all its cocky opulence."
Yes
The source of each direct quotation should be given because the words are clearly borrowed from someone else.

Opinions: Americans equated size with security and excess with success.
Yes
This is a paraphrase of another author's conclusions. Sources of conclusions and other opinions should be documented.

Opinion: Completed in 1912, the Titanic was considered the most luxurious ship of its day.
No
The luxuriousness of the ship is an opinion widely enough accepted that it is common knowledge.

Statistics: The Titanic was four city blocks long and eleven stories high.
Yes
Phrasing the measurements in terms familiar to general readers was the work of another writer, so the source should be documented.

Data: The ship sailed out of London and was to reach New York one week later.
No
General information about the trip could be found in several reference works. None of this information comes from a particular work.

For more information on avoiding plagiarism, visit:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html
or
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html.

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Direct quotation: The sinking of the Titanic "signaled the end of the Edwardian era in all its cocky opulence."	Yes	The source of each direct quotation should be given because the words are clearly borrowed from someone else.
Opinions: Americans equated size with security and excess with success.	Yes	This is a paraphrase of another author's conclusions. Sources of conclusions and other opinions should be documented.
Opinion: Completed in 1912, the Titanic was considered the most luxurious ship of its day.	No	The luxuriousness of the ship is an opinion widely enough accepted that it is common knowledge.
Statistics: The Titanic was four city blocks long and eleven stories high.	Yes	Phrasing the measurements in terms familiar to general readers was the work of another writer, so the source should be documented.
Data: The ship sailed out of London and was to reach New York one week later.	No	General information about the trip could be found in several reference works. None of this information comes from a particular work.