Research Guides: ENGL 2367.02--Sydlik SP 2016: Using and Integrating Sources

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Using and Integrating Sources

Writing is hard work—often made more difficult when as writers you’re asked to incorporate outside research as part of your assignments. Trying to juggle multiple sources and balance your own ideas and arguments within, alongside, against, or by extending the work of others can be challenging, even frustrating—especially when paired with the demands of accurately quoting and paraphrasing materials, learning and applying proper bibliographic or in-text citations, and abiding by copyright and fair use guidelines and laws. One particularly helpful resource for you as you compose your research project is the video, "BEAM: A Solution that Might Shine," which introduces you to Joseph Bizup's "BEAM" vocabulary for research-based writing.

Use the Tips and Tutorials and Resources on this page to help you navigate all of these matters by learning more about using and integrating sources into your research in a manner that meets expectations for academic integrity, complies with copyright and fair use guidelines, and helps you use those sources in a manner that best helps you meet your own research goals.

Using and Integrating Sources: Resources

The University Writing Center staff assists students, faculty, and staff with writing and research at any stage of the writing process. During sessions consultants can work with you on any project, assignment, or work-related writing you may be composing or revising—research projects, lab reports, dissertations, résumés, proposals, or application materials. The Writing Center also maintains a Resources page with writing handouts and links to online resources.

You can schedule online using your OSU name.# or call 614-688-4291 to make an appointment.

When you conduct research and complete a project based on that investigation, you’re entering a conversation with those who have discussed and published on the topic previously. Appropriately acknowledging the work of these individuals and providing your readers a comprehensive accounting of the sources you’ve used requires a Bibliography or Works Cited page. The Bibliography or Works Cited lists all of the sources you’ve referenced, summarized, paraphrased, or quoted in your project—including all images, videos, audio, articles, books, or other print, visual, multimodal, or online materials. By constructing a thorough and accurate bibliography (supported by in-text citations), you allow your readers to both find and assess the sources themselves.

The resources listed below provide information to help you compile your research and construct bibliographies and in-text citations following MLA Guidelines.

Academic research writing—whether undertaken by students in English 2367 or senior faculty in fields such as microbiology or marketing—must adhere to federal guidelines outlining the nature and scope of intellectual property, copyright, and fair use. The resources below—particularly the Copyright Guide for Students prepared by the Copyright Resources Center of the Ohio State University Libraries—provide you with invaluable information about both your rights and responsibilities as a creator and user of copyrighted materials. Remember, copyright extends beyond the written page (e.g., literary or non-fiction works we read as books or articles) and can include musical and dramatic works; choreography; pictorial, graphic, and artistic works such as paintings, sculptures, and architectural designs and works; and videos, films, and audio or sound productions.

Copyright Guide for Students (The OSU Libraries) As a student, you will work with copyrighted materials throughout your entire academic career. The books you use, the papers you write, the movies you watch, the quick sketches you draw in the margins of your notes, and the dances you perform are just some of the examples of possible copyright protectable works that you may come in contact with, either as a creator or as a user. This guide provides an introduction to copyright law, including the process for protecting your own works and determining how to effectively use the works of others while complying with copyright.
Purdue OWL on “Strategies for Fair Use”

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Using and Integrating Sources: Tips and Tutorials

Harvard Guide to Using Sources
Writing@CSU: Integrating Sources (Colorado State University)
Tutorial: "BEAM: A Solution that Might Shine" Joseph Bizup's "BEAM" vocabulary for research-based writing