InText Citations and Source References Crafting an Efficacious

In-Text Citations and Source References: Crafting an Efficacious Set of Citations with Necessary Rigor and Sufficient Relevance Wayne Smith, Ph. D. Department of Management CSU Northridge 1

Scientific Research and its Alternatives Dimension More Rigorous Less Rigorous Tradition Norms “Just Because” Common Sense Media Myths True Understanding “Logical Fallacies” Personal Experience Repeated Observations “Anecdotal Finding” Authority Law Accurate Summary “Halo Effect” “Convenient Sample” 2

Differences between Theory & Ideology Theory Conditional, negotiated understanding Ideology Offers absolute certainty Incomplete; recognizes uncertainty Has “all the answers” Growing, open, unfolding, expanding Fixed, closed, finished Welcomes tests, positive and negative evidence Avoids tests and findings Changes based on evidence Blind to opposing evidence Detached, disconnected, moral stand Locked into specific moral beliefs Neutral; considers all sides Highly partial Strongly seeks logical consistency, congruity Has contradictions and inconsistencies Transcends/crosses social positions Rooted in specific position 3

The Relative Need for an In-Text Citation (Systematic Empowerment) more persuasive Theory, Law, Equation, or Professional Standard (rationally objective) Argument, Statement, or Finding (cogent or valid) Value less persuasive Personal Experience, Opinion, or Speculation (reasonably subjective) with author Material Fact, Credible Experience, or Term Definition (genuine) Origin elsewhere 4

The Relative Strength of a Source Reference (Authoritative Accountability) more accuracy Case-specific effect (narrow impact) Theory (science-based) Validity less accuracy Ideology (faith-based) low consistency Preliminary scientific finding (broad impact) Reliability high consistency 5

Evaluating Source References (adapted from Turnitin’s SEER rubric) Dimension Authoritative More Credible Less Credible Written by authors with expertise in area Reputable information References not researched Educational Value Exceeds instructional goals Meets instructional goals Content is inappropriate Intent Highly-respected Provides content to inform users Actively sells content Originality Primary source of Combines origicontent and nal content with viewpoints new content Aggregates or re -purposes content Quality Content is researched and vetted Content is questionable; can’t discern Broad content coverage 6

Final Checklist for Case Deliverable • Citations – Have I cited the source of the facts, applicable theories and laws, statistical equations, and professional standards? – Have I cited any secondary sources to support my arguments? • References (“Works Cited”) – Is this reference the strongest reference I can use? – Can a reader locate the reference? • On-line references – Double-check credibility of on-line sources • Is this reference relatively bias-free? – Double-check precise web URL • Is this reference persistent and accessible? 7

Which parts of Case Analysis require at least one In. Text citation (and linked to a Source Reference)? • Cover Page, Cover Letter, Table of Contents – No. It’s the team’s original work. It may even be a team’s brand. • Executive Summary – No. It’s the team’s original work. It summarizes key analyses. • Material Facts – Yes. The source material for the facts did not originate with the team. • Open Issues/Questions – No. It’s the team’s original work. • Accounting, Economics, Law, Statistics Sections – Yes. The team’s analyses is based on theories, models, and frameworks. • Ethical Considerations Section – Yes. Ethics is grounded in theories, models, and frameworks too. • Strategic Considerations Section – Yes. Strategy is grounded in theories, models, and frameworks too. • Recommendations – No. It’s the team’s original work. It extends a team’s prior analyses. 8

Formatting and Style Guides • Format/Style Guide – ENGL 205 (probably MLA) • Quick Guide: https: //libguides. csun. edu/research-strategies/MLA – BUS 302 (I prefer APA) • Quick Guide: https: //libguides. csun. edu/research-strategies/APA – MGT/MKT (generally requires APA) – BLAW (will require Bluebook) • An alternate is the free and open “indigo” book (https: //open. umn. edu/opentextbooks/the-indigo-book-a-manual-of-legalcitation-sprigman) – IS/SOM (generally requires IEEE) – FIN (likely follows ECON--APA? or MMA? ) – ACCT (I’m not sure—AICPA? ) • If it’s not clear from syllabus, etc. , just ask. – You may need to do this at a firm also (this is known as a “house style”) 9

Actively Avoiding Plagiarism • Quotation – (“copying”) – You need to know and cite the correct reference • Paraphrase – (“comprehension in the small”) – You need to know multiple—possibly nearly all—sentences in one or two paragraphs • Summary – (“comprehension in the large”) – You need to know multiple—possibly nearly all— paragraphs • “Patchwriting” – (somewhere between “quotation” and “paraphrase”) – You need to know the original material well enough to overlay your own thinking on top (without plagiarizing) 10

Sources • CSUN Library – http: //library. csun. edu/Guides/Research. Strategies/Citation. S tyle. Guides • Neuman, W. Lawrence (2003), Social Research Methods 5 th ed. , Allyn and Bacon • Source Educational Evaluation Rubric (SEER) – http: //go. turnitin. com/seer-rubric 11