Incorporating Sources, The Ethics of Research

Incorporating Sources

• Purposeful Use of Sources: Sources should support and enhance your argument, not replace it. Use them to provide evidence, context, or counterarguments.

• Quoting vs. Paraphrasing: Quote when the original wording is crucial (e.g., for close reading). Paraphrase to convey information in your own words while maintaining accuracy.

• Summarising: Condense lengthy passages or arguments into concise summaries, capturing the essence of the original source.

• Citing Sources: Always cite your sources accurately and consistently, using a recognised citation style (e.g., MLA, Chicago). This gives credit to the original authors and allows readers to locate your sources.

• Integrating Quotes: Introduce and explain quotations, showing how they connect to your argument. Avoid simply dropping quotes into your text without context.

The Ethics of Research

• Plagiarism: Avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources and using quotation marks for direct quotes. Develop your own original ideas and analysis.

• Honesty: Represent your sources accurately and avoid misinterpreting or distorting their meaning to fit your argument.

• Respect for Intellectual Property: Respect copyright laws and obtain permission when necessary for using extensive quotes or reproducing images.

• Acknowledging Assistance: Acknowledge any assistance you received in your research, such as feedback from professors or peers.

• Ethical Use of Texts: Be mindful of the cultural and historical context of the texts you analyse. Avoid imposing your own biases or making insensitive interpretations.

Specific Tips for Literature Students

• Close Reading and Quotation: When quoting literary texts, select passages carefully to illustrate your points. Analyse the language and style of the quotes to support your interpretation.

• Engaging with Critical Sources: Use secondary sources ethically, acknowledging their contributions while developing your own original analysis.

• Sensitivity to Context: Be aware of the potential for multiple interpretations and avoid imposing your own cultural biases on the texts you analyse.

By incorporating sources effectively and adhering to ethical research practices, you can ensure that your literary analysis is both rigorous and responsible.

Example:

In my essay on Klara and the Sun, I would seamlessly integrate sources to strengthen my analysis of Klara's narrative voice. When discussing her unique perspective, I might quote a passage where she describes the sun's nourishment with almost religious reverence, highlighting Ishiguro's use of language. To provide context for this interpretation, I could paraphrase a scholar's argument about the role of belief systems in Ishiguro's works, citing their book chapter accurately. If discussing Klara's evolving understanding of human emotions, I might summarise a relevant journal article that explores the portrayal of artificial intelligence in contemporary literature. By carefully selecting, integrating, and citing these sources, I can build a compelling argument while acknowledging the contributions of other scholars.

Ethical considerations are paramount in my research. I would ensure that all my sources are accurately cited, using MLA style, and that direct quotations are meticulously enclosed in quotation marks. When paraphrasing a critic's interpretation of Klara's relationship with Josie, I would present their ideas faithfully, avoiding any distortion to align with my own argument. I would acknowledge any assistance received during my research, such as feedback from my professor on earlier drafts. Furthermore, I would approach the novel with sensitivity to its exploration of complex themes, remaining conscious of potential biases in my interpretation and striving for a nuanced understanding of Ishiguro's work.

Preparation Activity: Incorporating Sources, The Ethics of Research

Reading: Chapter 12: Incorporating Sources; Chapter 17 - The Ethics of Research

Instructions:

1. Source Evaluation: Review the sources you have gathered for your research proposal. Evaluate them for relevance, reliability, and potential contribution to your argument.

2. Practice Incorporating Sources: Select a key passage from one of your sources and practice incorporating it into your proposal using different methods:

   • Direct Quotation: Quote the passage verbatim, using quotation marks and a proper citation.

   • Paraphrasing: Rephrase the passage in your own words while retaining the original meaning. Cite the source.

   • Summarising: Condense the main ideas of the passage into a concise summary. Cite the source.

3. Analyse Your Integration: Reflect on your use of each method. Which method is most effective for this specific passage and why? How does each method affect the flow and clarity of your writing?

4. Ethical Considerations: Consider the ethical implications of using sources in your research. How will you ensure you avoid plagiarism? How will you acknowledge assistance or feedback you receive? How will you approach your chosen texts with sensitivity and avoid misinterpretation?

5. Apply to Your Proposal: Revisit your research proposal and integrate your chosen sources effectively and ethically. Pay attention to proper citation, accurate representation of source material, and clear integration of quotes and paraphrases into your argument.

6. Submission: Submit your revised research proposal with a variety of source integration methods and a separate paragraph reflecting on your ethical considerations.

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Class Outline: Incorporating Sources, The Ethics of Research

Objectives:

• Guide students in effectively incorporating sources into their research proposals.

• Familiarise students with ethical considerations and best practices in research.

• Offer feedback and support on students' revised proposals.

Activities:

1. Recap: Briefly review the importance of using sources to support and enhance research arguments.

2. Discussion: Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

   • Discuss the differences between quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.

   • Provide examples of each method and discuss when each is most appropriate.

   • Analyse examples of effective and ineffective source integration, highlighting the impact on clarity and flow.

3. Source Integration Practice

   • Provide students with a short passage from a scholarly text.

   • Have students practice incorporating the passage into their own writing using different methods.

   • Facilitate a discussion on the effectiveness and appropriateness of each method in different contexts.

4. Ethical Considerations in Research

   • Discuss the concept of plagiarism and its consequences.

   • Explore ethical considerations related to honesty, intellectual property, and acknowledging assistance.

   • Address specific ethical challenges relevant to literary studies, such as sensitivity to context and avoiding misinterpretation.

5. Applying Ethical Principles

   • Guide students in applying ethical principles to their own research proposals.

   • Discuss strategies for avoiding plagiarism, citing sources accurately, and representing source material honestly.

   • Offer guidance on approaching literary texts with sensitivity and respect.

6. Wrap-up: Summarise key takeaways from the session, emphasising the importance of ethical research practices and effective source integration in producing high-quality scholarship.