Tips for using quotations:
1. Quotations should be used sparingly and only when necessary. For most
scientific essays and theses in Biochemistry, there is no academic reason for using
large sections of quoted material.
When large sections of work are quoted or poorly paraphrased, the resulting text is
usually of a poor academic quality. Therefore you gain no advantage for ‘cut and
pasting’ other peoples ideas and thoughts even if properly referenced.
The most appropriate use of quoted material is for short phrases or ideas developed
or ‘coined’ by specific authors that have special meaning in themselves.
2. When you are quoting the work of other people, you must always indicate this by
using quotation marks or indenting the writing and must copy the words exactly.
E.g.
“Endothelial cells that are in the process of forming new vessels also turn out to
express distinctive cell-surface markers, providing a promising way in which they
might be attacked without harming the existing blood vessels in non-cancerous
tissues. “ (Alberts et al. 2002 pg.103).
Note inclusion of the specific page number in the reference for a quotation.
Or:
Endothelial cells that are in the process of forming new vessels also turn out to
express distinctive cell-surface markers, providing a promising way in which they
might be attacked without harming the existing blood vessels in non-cancerous
tissues. (Alberts et al. 2002 pg.103).
Note the whole paragraph is indented in the second example, whereas in the first,
quotation marks (“……”) are used.
3. Use language that makes it clear to the reader that these words are quotations:
Alberts et al (2002) in their review of endothelial cells state: “…cells that are
in the process of forming new vessels also turn out to express distinctive cell-surface
markers, providing a promising way in which they might be attacked without
harming the existing blood vessels in non-cancerous tissues. “ (Alberts et al. 2002
pg.103).
(Note the use of ….. to substitute for words that are omitted and that quotation
marks are still used, even though we have introduced these words as originating
from some one else as we have directly copied the original wording.
4. Make sure you add the full reference details to your reference list.
TIPS ON REFERENCING
Common Knowledge
If information or ideas are common knowledge then they do not require
referencing.
How do I know if it is common knowledge?
Facts that are widely known and accepted as true.
Common knowledge will vary between subjects and disciplines.
Generally if it is widely discussed without reference in review
articles or text books, it is generally accepted as common
knowledge.
Your own thoughts and ideas:
Normally you do not need to reference your own thoughts or ideas,
experiences and observations.
HOWEVER: You must not submit work that is substantially the same for
more than one assessment.
If you do repeat your ideas and
observations in a second assessment, then you must reference your
original work where these ideas first appeared.
Formats:
(Harvard format is recommended for Biochemistry, but note
other schools and departments may have different formats.)
Be consistent in using the format and provide all the required
information.
Be accurate, references in the text must tally with the citations in the
text.
Never include references you have not read to ‘pad out’ your reference
list.
Do not copy the references from your sources into your own reference
list.