Incorporating Research in Turabian
Incorporating Research | Quotation and Block Quotes | Summary and Paraphrase | Tables and Figures
Incorporating Research
Reasons to Incorporate Research
- Credibility:
- Quality Sources: A paper’s argument depends on the quality of its sources, so scrutinize sources to find the most authoritative and trustworthy sources.
- Primary Sources: Primary sources are the original source of information. Rather than using a secondary source, which refers to a primary source, get as close as possible to the original source of the information.
- Consult the Field: If in doubt, ask a professor about the field’s respected researchers, journals, websites, and so on.
- Plagiarism:
- Plagiarism: If it’s not yours, cite it. If you quote or paraphrase a source, cite it. If you developed your thinking or argument because of a source, cite it.
- Accidental Plagiarism: Even accidental plagiarism is plagiarism. Err on the side of caution and, when doing research, take careful notes that distinguish sources of information, page numbers, and whether the information is a direct quote, paraphrase, or summary.
- Self-Plagiarism: Even if you wrote it in a previous paper, cite it. Even better, ask a professor first if he or she would allow a reference to a previous paper or submission.
Ways to Incorporate Research
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- Directly: direct quotes in the form of a quotation (more on quotation below)
- Indirectly: indirect incorporation in the form of a paraphrase or summary (more on paraphrase and summary below)
- Data: incorporating data in tables and figures (more on tables and figures below)
Quotation and Block Quotes
Quotation
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- A quotation brings a word-for-word copy from the source and inserts it into the paper. Most often, a quotation is only used when the exact wording of a source must be preserved.
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- Quotation marks clearly mark every direct quotation at the quote’s beginning and end: “quotation marks at the beginning and end.”
- Proper citation in a footnote, endnote, or parenthetical citation insures against plagiarism and ensures the reader can accurately refer to the original source for further reading.
Run-In Quotation
- If the quotation is four lines or less, simply include the quote in the paper and enclose the quote within quotation marks.
- Seamlessly integrate the source material into the sentence, such as with a signaling statement that introduces the quote, like “Faulkner argues…” or “According to Williams…”
Block Quotes
- If the quotation is five lines or more, set it off as a block quote, which is never enclosed in quotation marks.
- Indent and single-space the block quote in a paragraph of its own below the sentence that introduced the quote. Then continue the text of the paper in a new sentence or paragraph beneath the block quote.
Summary and Paraphrase
Summary
- A summary is a brief, condensed review. It converts the main idea of a source, a few pages, or a few paragraphs into this brief, condensed review.
- The typical length for a summary of a source’s paragraph will be, at most, one-third the size of the original paragraph, or, at least, one sentence summarizing the original paragraph.
- Quotation marks are not needed, but the original source must be clearly cited.
Paraphrase
- A paraphrase is the paper’s explanation of a source’s information. It explains one specific idea from a source using your own words.
- The typical length for a paraphrase of the source’s information will be about the same length while focusing most on integrating and highlighting the key information.
- Quotation marks are not needed, but the original source must be clearly cited.
Tables and Figures
Tables
- A table is a list of data, whether numbers or text.
- Tables display raw data in quickly referenceable ways, usually by arranging this data in clearly labeled columns.
- Every table should have a number and short, descriptive title (place title flush to the left on the line above the table).
Figures
- A figure is a visualization of data, like an illustration helps to relate a concept.
- Figures display trends or relationships in data, usually by arranging these relationships in graphs, charts, drawings, photos, or maps.
- Every figure should have a number and a caption (place these flush to the left on the line below the figure).
Citing Tables and Figures
- Always cite the source of the data by including a “source line” at the bottom of the table or figure.
- The source line should be formatted in the following way: Source(s): source title.
- If the table or figure was copied from a source, simply follow the typical source line format shown above. Include the source’s full bibliographical information in your bibliography or reference list.
- If the table or figure was reproduced or adapted from a source, include a statement in the source line that states something like, “data adapted from…,” or “map by….” Include the source’s full bibliographical information in your bibliography or reference list.