How to Find Credible Evidence & Cite a Research Paper

1. Peer-Reviewed Journals: Articles published in reputable academic journals that undergo a rigorous peer-review process are considered credible. These journals are often subject to editorial oversight and are reviewed by experts in the field.
2. Academic Books: Books published by established academic publishers and written by recognized experts are typically credible sources. Look for books that have been cited in other academic works.
3. Government Publications: Information from government agencies and official sources can be reliable, especially for statistics and data related to public policy and government matters.
4. Educational Institutions: Information from the websites and publications of universities, colleges, and educational institutions is generally reliable, especially when it relates to academic subjects.
5. Research Institutions and Think Tanks: Reports and studies from reputable research institutions and think tanks are often credible sources, particularly for policy-related topics.
6. Primary Sources: Original documents or data created at the time of an event, such as diaries, letters, photographs, and official records, can be valuable primary sources if they are well-documented and relevant to your research.
7. Expert Interviews: Interviews with subject matter experts or professionals in the field can provide valuable firsthand insights, especially when conducted with rigor.
8. Citations from Credible Sources: Citations from reputable and peer-reviewed sources within other academic papers can indicate credibility. Follow the citations trail to assess the original source.
9. Specialized Databases: Accessing research databases like JSTOR, PubMed, or ProQuest can help you find credible academic sources in a wide range of fields.
10. Credible News Outlets: For current events and background information, established and respected news organizations can be valuable sources, but be cautious of opinion pieces and ensure you verify facts.
11. Nonprofit Organizations: Some nonprofit organizations and foundations provide credible research and data on specific issues, but it’s important to consider their biases and agendas.
12. Citations in Scholarly Works: Follow citations within academic papers or books that are highly regarded in your field. These citations can lead you to other credible sources.

When evaluating the credibility of a source, consider factors such as the author’s qualifications, the publication venue’s reputation, the quality of research methods used, and the presence of peer review (for academic sources). Always critically assess the reliability and relevance of each source to your research topic and objectives. Be cautious with sources from personal blogs, social media, and self-published materials, as these may not always meet the criteria for credibility in academic research.

1. Understand Your Research Needs:
   • Clearly define your research topic and the type of information you need.
   • Determine the scope of your research and the key questions you want to answer.
2. Use Academic Search Engines and Databases:
   • Utilize academic search engines like Google Scholar, and subject-specific databases (e.g., PubMed, JSTOR, IEEE Xplore) to access scholarly materials.
   • These databases often provide advanced search options and filters to narrow down your results.
3. Access Library Resources:
   • Visit your university or local library and consult their catalogs and databases for academic books, journals, and other resources.
   • Librarians can provide guidance on accessing credible sources.
4. Check Institutional Websites: Educational institutions, government agencies, and established organizations often provide reliable information on their websites.
5. Evaluate Peer-Reviewed Journals:
   • Look for articles in peer-reviewed journals, as these are typically reviewed by experts in the field.
   • Check if the journal has a reputable publisher.
6. Review Books from Established Publishers:
   • Books published by reputable academic or well-known publishers are generally credible sources.
   • Consider looking for books written by recognized experts.
7. Review Government and Official Sources: Government websites and official publications often contain trustworthy data, statistics, and reports.
8. Evaluate Author Credentials: Check the credentials and expertise of the authors. Look for their academic qualifications and experience in the field.
9. Check Citations and References: Examine the citations and references within credible sources. This can lead you to other reputable materials on your topic.
10. Cross-Reference Information:
    • Compare information from multiple sources to ensure consistency and accuracy.
    • Be wary of information that contradicts widely accepted knowledge in the field.
11. Use Bibliographies: Check the bibliographies and reference lists of books and articles you find. These can lead you to other relevant sources.
12. Consider the Date of Publication: Ensure the sources are up to date, especially for topics that evolve over time (i.e. less than 10 years; ideally 5 years for current info discourse). However, historical information may also be relevant.
13. Peer Recommendations: Consult with professors, academic advisors, or experts in the field for recommendations on credible sources.
14. Be Critical and Assess Bias: Be critical when evaluating sources and consider potential biases. Consider the source’s agenda or funding source.
15. Use Search Terms Effectively: Use specific and relevant keywords when searching to get more accurate results.
16. Seek Multiple Perspectives: Consider sources that represent various perspectives and opinions on the topic for a well-rounded understanding.
17. Avoid Unverified Online Sources: Do not use or rely on information from Wikipedia, personal blogs, social media, and self-published materials, as these may lack credibility.
18. Consult Your Institution’s Guidelines: Follow any specific guidelines or requirements provided by your educational institution for finding credible sources.

1. PubMed: Biomedical and life sciences research, including medicine and healthcare.
2. IEEE Xplore: Engineering, computer science, and technology-related research.
3. JSTOR: Arts, humanities, and social sciences, including literature and history.
4. Scopus: Multidisciplinary database covering various fields, including science, technology, medicine, and social sciences.
5. Web of Science: Multidisciplinary database covering various fields, including science, technology, medicine, and social sciences.
6. Google Scholar: Provides access to scholarly articles across a wide range of disciplines.
7. ProQuest: Multidisciplinary database with a focus on dissertations, theses, and scholarly articles.
8. ScienceDirect: Scientific and technical research across various fields, including physical sciences and life sciences.
9. ERIC (Education Resources Information Center): Education-related research and resources.
10. PsycINFO: Psychology and related behavioral sciences research.
11. ACM Digital Library: Computer science and information technology research.
12. SpringerLink: Multidisciplinary database covering various fields, including science, technology, and medicine.
13. arXiv: Preprints and e-prints in the fields of physics, mathematics, computer science, and related areas.
14. SSRN (Social Science Research Network): Research in the social sciences, economics, and law.
15. CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature): Nursing and allied health-related research.
16. EconLit: Economics research and literature.
17. LexisNexis: Legal and business-related research and information.
18. WorldCat: A global catalog of library collections, covering a wide range of subjects.
19. PubMed Central: A free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences literature.
20. IEEE Computer Society Digital Library: Research in computer science, computer engineering, and related fields.

These databases are valuable resources for researchers and students across various academic disciplines.

Here are steps to help you find the most relevant sources in research databases:

1. Identify Your Keywords: Before you begin searching, clearly define the keywords and phrases related to your research topic. These keywords will be used to search the database.
2. Select the Right Database: Choose a database that is relevant to your field of study. Different databases specialize in various subject areas. Common academic databases include PubMed (for medical and life sciences), IEEE Xplore (for engineering and technology), and JSTOR (for humanities and social sciences).
3. Use Advanced Search Options: Most databases offer advanced search features. Utilize these options to refine your search. You can typically access these features by clicking on “Advanced Search” or a similar option on the database’s homepage.
4. Combine Keywords: Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine keywords effectively. For example, “climate change” AND “impact” will narrow your search to sources that mention both terms.
5. Use Truncation and Wildcards: Employ truncation (e.g., “educat*”) and wildcards (e.g., “wom?n” for woman or women) to capture variations of a keyword.
6. Filter and Sort Results: Most databases allow you to filter results by publication date, document type, and other criteria. This can help you find the most recent and relevant sources. Sort results by relevance when available.
7. Review Abstracts: Scan the abstracts of the search results to quickly assess the relevance of each source. The abstract often provides a concise summary of the source’s content.
8. Check Subject Headings: Many databases use subject headings or controlled vocabulary terms. Review these terms to find additional relevant sources that may use different keywords.
9. Follow Citations: If you find a source that is relevant to your research, check the references or citations within that source. This can lead you to additional relevant materials.
10. Use Database Help Resources: Databases often provide guides, tutorials, and search tips. Utilize these resources to become more proficient in searching for relevant sources.
11. Ask a Librarian: If you’re struggling to find relevant sources, consult with a librarian. They can offer guidance and help you navigate the database effectively.
12. Refine Your Search: If your initial search doesn’t yield relevant results, consider refining your keywords or adjusting your search strategy. Research is often an iterative process.
13. Keep a Record: Keep a record of the sources you find and their details, including the publication date, title, and source. This will help you manage your sources effectively.

Finding relevant sources in databases requires a combination of effective search strategies, database-specific knowledge, and a clear understanding of your research topic. With practice, you can become skilled at locating the most valuable and pertinent materials for your research.

Citing a Research Paper in APA 7^th Edition

Citing a research paper in APA (American Psychological Association) style requires following a specific format. Here’s how to cite a research paper in APA:

In-Text Citations:

In APA style, in-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of a specific quotation or paraphrased information within the body of your paper. The basic format is (Author(s), Year):

1. One Author: (Smith, 2020) or Smith (2020) found that…
2. Two Authors: (Johnson & Lee, 2019) or Johnson and Lee (2019) noted that…
3. Three or More Authors: (Brown et al., 2018) for the first in-text citation. For subsequent citations, use (Brown et al., 2018).
4. No Author: If there’s no identified author, use the title of the source in italics and the year, e.g., (“The Effects of Climate Change,” 2017).
5. Page Numbers: If you’re quoting a specific page or section, add the page number(s) after the year, e.g., (Smith, 2020, p. 25).

References Page:

The full citation for a research paper should be included in the References page at the end of your paper. Follow this format for different types of sources:

1. Author(s): Last name, Initials. If there are multiple authors, list them with an ampersand (&) between the last two authors.
2. Publication Date: In parentheses, followed by a period.
3. Title of the Paper: In sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized).
4. Title of the Journal: In italics and title case (major words capitalized).
5. Volume and Issue Number: Italicized, followed by a comma and the page range in regular font.
6. Digital Object Identifier (DOI): If available. If not, provide the URL of the journal’s homepage or the DOI search page.

Here’s a basic template for citing a research paper in an APA References page:

Author(s). (Year). Title of the Paper. Title of the Journal, Volume(Issue), Page Range. DOI or URL

For example:

Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B. (2021). The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Environmental Science Journal, 45(3), 210-225. doi:10.1234/abcd1234

Make sure to follow the APA guidelines carefully, especially regarding capitalization, italics, and punctuation. The specifics of your citation may vary depending on the source type (e.g., book, online source, government report), so be sure to adapt the format accordingly.

Citing a Research Paper in MLA

Citing a research paper in MLA (Modern Language Association) style involves a specific format for in-text citations and the Works Cited page. Here’s how to cite a research paper in MLA:

In-Text Citations:

In MLA style, in-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of a specific quotation or paraphrased information within the body of your paper. The basic format is (Author’s Last Name Page Number):

1. One Author: (Smith 25) or Smith noted that “…” (25).
2. Two Authors: (Johnson and Lee 42) or Johnson and Lee argued that “…” (42).
3. Three or More Authors: (Brown et al. 78) for the first in-text citation. For subsequent citations, use (Brown et al. 78).
4. No Author: If there’s no identified author, use a shortened title in quotation marks, e.g., (“Effects of Climate Change” 56).

Works Cited Page:

The full citation for a research paper should be included in the Works Cited page at the end of your paper. Follow this format for different types of sources:

1. Author(s): Last Name, First Name(s). If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the title page.
2. Title of the Paper: In quotation marks. If it’s part of a larger work (e.g., a journal), use italics for the larger work’s title.
3. Title of the Journal (if applicable): In italics.
4. Volume and Issue Number (if applicable): For journal articles.
5. Publication Date: Year of publication.
6. Page Range: Page numbers for the article in a journal or the page range for the whole paper.
7. URL: For online sources.

Here’s a basic template for citing a research paper in the MLA Works Cited page:

Author(s). “Title of the Paper.” Title of the Journal, Volume, Issue, Year, Page Range. URL (if applicable).

For example:

Smith, John A. “The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity.” Environmental Science Journal, vol. 45, no. 3, 2021, pp. 210-225.

Make sure to follow the MLA guidelines carefully, especially regarding capitalization, italics, and punctuation. The specifics of your citation may vary depending on the source type (e.g., book, online source), so be sure to adapt the format accordingly.

Citing a Research Paper in Chicago

Citing a research paper in Chicago style (also known as Chicago Manual of Style or CMS) involves using footnotes or endnotes for in-text citations and creating a bibliography or reference page at the end of your paper. There are two primary ways to cite sources in Chicago style: the Notes-Bibliography System or Turabian (used in humanities) and the Author-Date System (used in sciences and social sciences). Here’s how to cite a research paper in Chicago style using the Notes-Bibliography System:

In-Text Citations (Chicago Notes-Bibliography System/ Turabian):

In Chicago style, in-text citations use footnotes or endnotes, and you may provide either full or shortened citations.

1. Full Citation:
   • For the first citation, include all the necessary information in full, including the author’s name, title of the paper, title of the journal, volume, issue, publication date, and page numbers. Use numerals (i.e. 1,2,3 in superscript) to number the footnotes.
   • Format:
     

     Author’s First Name Last Name, “Title of the Paper,” Title of the Journal Volume, no. Issue (Year): Page Range.

2. Shortened Citation:
   • In subsequent citations of the same source, use a shortened version.
   • Format:
     

     Last Name, “Shortened Title,” Page Range.

For example:

1. First Citation:
   

   John A. Smith, “The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity,” Environmental Science Journal 45, no. 3 (2021): 210-225.

2. Subsequent Citations:
   

   Smith, “Impact of Climate Change,” 212.

Bibliography (Chicago Notes-Bibliography System/ Turabian):

The full citation for the research paper should be included in the Bibliography page at the end of your paper. Follow this format for different types of sources:

1. Author(s): Last Name, First Name(s).
2. Title of the Paper: In quotation marks.
3. Title of the Journal: In italics.
4. Volume and Issue Number (if applicable): For journal articles.
5. Publication Date: Year of publication.
6. Page Range: Page numbers for the article in a journal or the page range for the whole paper.

Here’s a basic example for citing a research paper in the Chicago (Turabian) Bibliography:

Smith, John A. “The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity.” Environmental Science Journal 45, no. 3 (2021): 210-225.

Citing a research paper in Chicago Author-Date System involves using in-text citations and a reference list at the end of your paper. The Author-Date System is primarily used in the sciences and social sciences. Here’s how to cite a research paper in Chicago Author-Date System:

In-Text Citations (Chicago Author-Date System):

In Chicago Author-Date style, in-text citations are used to acknowledge the source of specific information within the body of your paper. The basic format is (Author(s) Year):

1. One Author: (Smith 2021) or Smith (2021) argued that…
2. Two Authors: (Johnson and Lee 2019) or Johnson and Lee (2019) stated that…
3. Three or More Authors: (Brown et al. 2018) for the first in-text citation. For subsequent citations, use (Brown et al. 2018).
4. No Author: If there’s no identified author, use a shortened title in quotation marks, e.g., (“Effects of Climate Change” 2017).

Reference List (Chicago Author-Date System):

The full citation for the research paper should be included in the reference list at the end of your paper. Follow this format for different types of sources:

1. Author(s): Last Name, First Name(s).
2. Publication Date: Year of publication.
3. Title of the Paper: In sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized).
4. Title of the Journal: In italics.
5. Volume and Issue Number (if applicable): For journal articles.
6. Page Range: Page numbers for the article in a journal.

Here’s a basic example for citing a research paper in the Chicago Author-Date reference list:

Smith, John A. 2021. “The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity.” Environmental Science Journal 45 (3): 210-225.

Make sure to format your citations and reference list according to the Chicago Author-Date style, following the guidelines for capitalization and punctuation. This format can vary slightly depending on the source type, so adapt it accordingly.

Be sure to format your citations and bibliography according to the specific Chicago style you are using, whether it’s the Notes-Bibliography System (as described here) or the Author-Date System.

1. Understand the Citation Style: Determine which citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) is required for your research paper. Different fields and academic institutions may have specific style preferences.
2. Gather Complete Information: Collect all necessary information about the source, including the author(s), title, publication date, publication source, page numbers, and any other relevant details.
3. Format Your Citations Consistently: Ensure that your citations follow a consistent format. Use the appropriate punctuation, italics, and capitalization as specified by the citation style.
4. In-Text Citations:
   • Include in-text citations within the body of your paper to acknowledge the source of specific information or quotes.
   • In-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the publication date in parentheses, e.g., (Smith, 2021).
5. Quotations and Paraphrasing:
   • When quoting verbatim, use quotation marks and provide the page number (if applicable).
   • For paraphrased content, acknowledge the source through an in-text citation.
6. Create a Reference or Bibliography Page:
   • Compile a list of all the sources you cited at the end of your research paper.
   • The format for this page varies depending on the citation style (e.g., References, Works Cited, Bibliography).
   • Reference lists are usually in alphabetical order; with a hanging indentation.
7. Include All Required Elements: In your reference or bibliography entry, include all necessary elements, such as the author(s), title, publication source, publication date, and page numbers.
8. Use the Correct Citation Format: Follow the specific format required by the citation style. For example, in APA, you’ll format the author’s name with the last name followed by the initials, while in MLA, you’ll use the last name followed by the first name.
9. Be Consistent: Ensure that all citations and references follow the same style and format throughout your paper. Consistency is key.
10. Verify Online Sources: For online sources, provide the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if applicable and make sure the link is functional.
11. Seek Guidance if Uncertain: If you’re unsure about how to cite a particular source, seek guidance from a style guide, your professor, or a librarian.
12. Proofread Your Citations: Before submitting your research paper, carefully proofread your citations to ensure they are accurate and properly formatted.
13. Use Citation Management Tools: Consider using citation management software (e.g., EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley) to help you organize and format your citations.

By following these general guidelines, you can effectively and accurately cite a research paper, making your work more credible and assisting readers in accessing the sources you used. In conclusion, the key to citing a research paper successfully is to accurately and consistently follow the required citation style, provide complete source information, and use proper in-text citations, while also ensuring your references are well-organized and accurate.