In-Text Citations and Source References:

In-Text Citations and Source References: Crafting an Efficacious Set of Citations with Necessary Rigor and Sufficient Relevance Wayne Smith, Ph.D. Department of Management CSU Northridge

Alternatives to Scientific Research

Differences between Theory & Ideology

The Relative Need for an In-Text Citation(Systematic Empowerment) more persuasive Theory, Law, Equation, or Professional Standard (rationally objective) Argument, Statement, or Finding (cogent or valid) Value Personal Experience, Opinion, or Speculation (reasonably subjective) Material Fact, Credible Experience, or Term Definition (genuine) less persuasive with author Origin elsewhere

The Relative Strength of a Source Reference(Authoritative Accountability) more accuracy Case-specific effect (narrow impact) Theory (science-based) Validity Preliminary scientific finding (broad impact) Ideology (faith-based) less accuracy low consistency Reliability high consistency

Evaluating Source References(adapted from Turnitin’s SEER rubric)

Final Checklist for Case Deliverable • Citations • Have I cited the source of the facts, applicable theories and laws, statistical equations, and professional standards? • Have I cited any secondary sources to support my arguments? • References (“Works Cited”) • Is this reference the strongest reference I can use? • Can a reader locate the reference? • On-line references • Double-check credibility of on-line sources • Is this reference relatively bias-free? • Double-check precise web URL • Is this reference persistent and accessible?

Which parts of Case Analysis require at least one In-Text citation? • Cover Page, Cover Letter, Table of Contents • No. It’s the team’s original work. It may even be a team’s brand. • Executive Summary • No. It’s the team’s original work. It summarizes key analyses. • Material Facts • Yes. The source material for the facts did not originate with the team. • Open Issues/Questions • No. It’s the team’s original work. • Accounting, Economics, Law, Statistics Sections • Yes. The team’s analyses is based on theories, models, and frameworks. • Ethical Considerations Section • Yes. Ethics is grounded in theories, models, and frameworks too. • Strategic Considerations Section • Yes. Strategy is grounded in theories, models, and frameworks too. • Recommendations • No. It’s the team’s original work. It extends a team’s prior analyses.

Formatting and Style Guides • Format/Style Guide • ENGL 205 (probably MLA) • BUS 302 (I prefer APA) • MGT/MKT (generally requires APA) • BLAW (will require Bluebook) • IS/SOM (generally requires IEEE) • FIN (likely follows ECON--APA? or MMA?) • ACCT (I’m not sure—AICPA?) • If it’s not clear from syllabus, etc., just ask. • You may need to do this at a firm also (this is called a “house style” in the publishing trade) • For the library on-line databases, click the “Cite” word in the upper-left hand corner to copy-and-paste the correct APA 6th ed. Format. • Eric Garcia (CSUN Library) has posted APA and MLA manuals • http://library.csun.edu/egarcia

Actively Avoiding Plagiarism • Quotation • (“copying”) • You need to know and cite the correct reference • Paraphrase • (“comprehension in the small”) • You need to know multiple—possibly nearly all—sentences in one or two paragraphs • Summary • (“comprehension in the large”) • You need to know multiple—possibly nearly all—paragraphs • “Patchwriting” • (somewhere between “quotation” and “paraphrase”) • You need to know the original material well enough to overlay your own thinking on top (without plagiarizing)

Sources • CSUN Library • http://library.csun.edu/Guides/ResearchStrategies/CitationStyleGuides • Neuman, W. Lawrence (2003), Social Research Methods 5th ed., Allyn and Bacon • Source Educational Evaluation Rubric (SEER) • http://go.turnitin.com/seer-rubric

In-Text Citations and Source References: