Research Methodology Chapter 3.4

1. Literature citation is an essential aspect of any research report or paper. It serves multiple purposes, including acknowledging the sources of information and ideas used in the study, providing credibility to the research, and allowing readers to locate and access the cited works for further reading or verification. In this section, we will explore the importance of literature citation, the different citation styles commonly used in biological research, and guidelines for properly citing various types of sources.

Importance of Literature Citation

Citing relevant literature is crucial in scientific research as it demonstrates the researcher’s knowledge of the existing body of work in the field. By citing previous studies, researchers acknowledge the contributions of other scholars and build upon their findings. This not only adds credibility to the research but also helps to situate the study within the broader context of existing knowledge.

Additionally, literature citation allows readers to trace the origins of ideas, concepts, and methodologies used in the research. It provides a means for others to verify the accuracy and validity of the information presented. Moreover, proper citation practices promote academic integrity by giving credit to the original authors and preventing plagiarism.

Citation Styles in Biological Research

There are several citation styles commonly used in biological research, including the American Psychological Association (APA) style, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, and the Council of Science Editors (CSE) style. Each style has its own set of rules and guidelines for formatting citations, including the order of information, punctuation, and the use of italics or quotation marks.

In biological research, the APA style is often preferred due to its emphasis on clarity and conciseness. It provides a consistent format for citing various types of sources, including journal articles, books, websites, and conference papers. The APA style uses an author-date format, where the author’s last name and the publication year are included in the in-text citation, followed by a complete reference in the reference list at the end of the document.

Guidelines for Citing Different Types of Sources

1. Journal Articles: When citing a journal article, include the author’s last name and initials, the publication year, the article title, the journal name in italics (title case), the volume number in italics, and the page range of the article. For example: Smith, J. D., & Johnson, A. B. (2020). The effects of climate change on bird migration patterns. Journal of Ornithology, 45(2), 123-145.

2. Books: When citing a book, include the author’s last name and initials, the publication year, the book title in italics (title case), the edition (if applicable), the publisher, and the location of the publisher. For example: Johnson, R. M. (2018). Introduction to Ecology (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

3. Websites: When citing a website, include the author’s last name and initials (if available), the publication or update date (if available), the title of the webpage in italics (sentence case), the website name in italics (title case), and the URL. For example: National Institutes of Health. (2021, March 15). Understanding COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from [URL details]

4. Conference Papers: When citing a conference paper, include the author’s last name and initials, the publication year, the paper title in sentence case, the conference name in italics (title case), the location of the conference, and the page range of the paper (if available). For example: Lee, S. M., & Chen, H. (2019). Novel approaches to cancer treatment. Proceedings of the International Conference on Cancer Research, New York, NY, 56-67.

In-Text Citations

In-text citations are used to acknowledge the sources of information within the body of the research report or paper. In the APA style, the author’s last name and the publication year are enclosed in parentheses and placed at the end of the sentence or paragraph containing the cited information. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the publication year needs to be included in the parentheses. For example:

• “According to Smith and Johnson (2020), climate change has significantly impacted bird migration patterns.”
• “Climate change has significantly impacted bird migration patterns (Smith & Johnson, 2020).”

Reference List

The reference list is a separate section at the end of the research report or paper that provides complete bibliographic information for all the sources cited in the text. The reference list is organized alphabetically by the authors’ last names. Each entry includes the author’s last name and initials, the publication year, the title of the work, and additional publication details depending on the type of source. The reference list entry should be formatted according to the specific citation style being used.

It is important to note that while the examples provided in this section follow the APA style, researchers should consult the specific guidelines of the chosen citation style for accurate and detailed instructions on formatting citations.

In conclusion, literature citation is a fundamental aspect of biological research. It not only acknowledges the contributions of previous studies but also provides credibility and allows for the verification of information. By following the guidelines of the chosen citation style, researchers can ensure that their citations are accurate, consistent, and properly formatted, thereby upholding the principles of academic integrity.