LSU Libraries - The Research Process

CONTENTS:
Introduction
Clearly define your topic
Collect/find information
Evaluate the information you find
Use and/or do something with the information
Use the information ethically and legally

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In addition to keeping you out of trouble with the dean of students, documenting your sources serves several other purposes:

It proves that you aren't just making something up. I could say that the moon is made of cheese, but do I have any documentation to back that up?
It allows someone to follow your research:
- to confirm that you really DID the research, and that it what you are saying is true.
- to get more information from your sources
- and to continue the research
It gives credit to the person or place from which you got your information. When someone puts forth the time and effort to do research and publish it they deserve credit for that work. If you write a paper for class, and put a lot of work into it, you darned sure are going to put your name on it, and want the credit for it.

While providing documentation for your own sources of information, it's a good idea to be suspicious of someone who provides information, but does not provide full documentation for that information. "Found in a California Newspaper," "I heard it on Paul Harvey," or "A friend, of my cousin's father-in-law told me, so it must be true," do not constitute proper documentation. Which California paper, and what day? Paul Harvey? Really? When was it broadcast, and where did he get the information? Can you confirm this information? Can you go back and find the original source of information?

Review Question:

Why would you include citations to your sources of information in a research paper?

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