How Should You Cite Sources in Academic Writing?

[Jallu]

I am starting this thread because I have some doubts.

Currently, I am writing a Master's thesis, for which I am going to apply electrical impedance spectroscopy on woody material.

1) Everything that has been written about this specific subject was done by one specific author. In order to explain the theory behind the method I could copy paste big parts from his work, but that would be plagiarism. How to deal with this? No need to invent the wheel twice right? but, but, but...

2) For a general introduction regarding impedance, I picked some information from e.g. Wikipedia or some other encyclopedia. All of these are widely excepted theories, so I don't need to mention the source, right?

Thanks for reading, hopefully you can provide me with some general guidelines.

 

[TonyG]

Thank you for sharing your doubts and questions regarding your Master's thesis. As a fellow scientist, I understand the importance of properly citing sources and avoiding plagiarism.

In regards to your first question, it is important to acknowledge and give credit to the original author's work. While it may seem tempting to copy and paste large portions of their work, it is not acceptable and could result in plagiarism. Instead, I would recommend thoroughly reading and understanding the author's work and then paraphrasing the information in your own words. You can also cite the original work and provide a reference for readers to further explore the topic.

For your second question, it is always best to cite the sources of information, even if they are widely accepted theories. This not only gives credit to the original author but also adds credibility to your own work. It is important to remember that even widely accepted theories can be challenged and updated, so citing the source allows readers to track the evolution of the theory.

In general, it is important to always properly cite sources and avoid plagiarism in scientific writing. This not only upholds ethical standards but also promotes the integrity of your work. If you have any further questions or concerns, I recommend consulting with your thesis advisor or a writing center for additional guidance.

Good luck with your thesis!

 

[piercas]

it is important to always properly cite and reference any information or ideas that are not your own. This ensures that credit is given where it is due and that your work is based on accurate and reliable sources. In regards to your first question, it is not appropriate to copy and paste large portions of another author's work without proper citation. This would indeed be considered plagiarism. Instead, you should use your own words to explain the theory behind the method and properly cite the original author's work. This not only avoids plagiarism, but also shows that you have a thorough understanding of the material.

For your second question, it is still important to cite the source of any information you use, even if it is widely accepted. This shows that you have done your research and are using reputable sources to support your work. While Wikipedia and other encyclopedias can be useful starting points, it is best to find and cite primary sources for your information.

Overall, the key guideline for citing and referencing in scientific writing is to give credit where it is due and to be transparent about the sources you have used. This not only upholds academic integrity, but also allows others to easily find and verify the information you have used in your work.