Basic Steps of Research

Good research projects combine data from a variety of sources and carefully document the sources of information and ideas. Research documentation usually appears in two parts: short in-text citations occurring within the actual paper and a longer, complete list of works at the end of the paper called a bibliography, reference list, or works cited page. 

Besides giving credit to the source of information or ideas, there are other great reasons to cite in your research project:

• Persuasiveness - Your writing will be more persuasive if you cite the research on which you based your own conclusions and arguments.
• Sharing - Citations make it possible for your professor and other readers to examine interesting sources that you found.
• Communication - Correct citations helps you communicate effectively with potential peers within a discipline.
• Skills - Correct citation demonstrates your research and documentation abilities to your professor.
• Avoid Plagiarism - Correct citation use helps protect you from plagiarizing.

Note: a hyperlink or URL included in the text is not the same as a citation. Example: "Covid-19 Live Updates: Here is What to Know in North Carolina on June 25^th” (https://www.newsobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article252348163.html)  URLs in the text, while common on the internet, are not considered a correct form of scholarly citation.