Writing 117 (Silbaugh): Work with Information

Our web page gives additional information about RefWorks and other freely available citation management tools.  We also include links to other resources in these four citation styles: MLA, APA, Chicago, and Turbian.

Citation Management Tool

RefWorks - use it to

• manage research; store citations
• create list of citations in a style of your choice e.g. MLA
• cite and write

In RefWorks, go to Tools > Preview Output Style to see how the format looks for a specific style.

See News & Events for RefWorks workshops this fall.

Citing Capabilities within Databases

Look for the ability to Save or Email citations in a specific format e.g. APA or MLA.

You may be able to email or copy & paste these formatted citations. (e.g. from databases on the EBSCOhost platform)

Keep these in mind when determining a source's credibility:

• Where was the article (or book, etc) published? (Did it go through the peer-review process? An editorial process?, etc.)
• Sources like MediaBiasFactCheck can help you sort through news media sites.
• Who wrote the source and are they an expert in this field?
• Do other sources back up or corroborate what the source is saying?
• When was it published or produced? Is it still relevant?

Sometimes you will need to do some research to determine whether or not a particular source is giving you the right information.

Each discipline has a preferred citation style.  Various websites point to the desired citation style for each discipline.

Citing correctly and managing your research will greatly assist you in avoiding plagiarism. UC Merced has an academic honesty policy which includes a definition of plagiarism.

Ethically using information while in university will prepare you to avoid these examples of plagiarism (Northern Illinois University).

For more details on how to avoid plagiarism, watch this engaging video from LaTrobe University.  Nobody likes a copycat: The ethical use of information < 2 minutes.