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Research 101

This guide's purpose is to help you understand researching at a college level. Use the navigation on the left-hand side to explore different parts of a typical research process. If you need further help, contact a librarian!

Techniques for Integrating Sources

Integrating sources involves weaving information from research or news source into your writing in a way that supports your argument or analysis. The goal is for your paper to flow naturally, balancing your voice with the evidence provided by the sources.

Read (and Re-read) the Material

The more you understand the information you're gathering, the easier it will be to work it into a cohesive paper. Read (not just skim) and re-read the material, take a break in between info gathering sessions, and try to paraphrase or summarize the information with the sources out of sight. 

Steps to Integrating Material

  1. Introduce the Source:

    • Provide context for the source before presenting it.
    • Use signal phrases like According to Johnson (2016) or Lee and Thompson (2020) argue.

    Example:
    According to Smith et al. (2018), tortoiseshell cats are more prone to aggressive behavior compared to other coat colors.

  2. Incorporate the Evidence:

    • Include the paraphrase, summary, or quote from the source.
    • Ensure it directly supports your argument or analysis.

    Example:
    This suggests that coat color might serve as an indicator of behavioral tendencies, particularly in stressful environments (Smith et al., 2018).

  3. Analyze the Evidence:

    • Explain how the source contributes to your argument.
    • Offer critical insight or connect the source to other ideas in your paper.

    Example:
    However, as Peters (2019) notes, owner bias could influence these observations, raising questions about the validity of the behavioral differences reported.

  4. Maintain Flow:

    • Blend your ideas with the source material. Avoid abrupt transitions or overloading your paper with quotes.

    Example:
    While both Smith et al. (2018) and Johnson (2016) identify aggression in tortoiseshell cats, Lee and Thompson’s (2020) findings challenge the idea of a direct link by highlighting other influencing factors, such as age.

Tips

  • Vary how you incorporate sources (paraphrase, summarize, or quote).
  • Use transitions to connect evidence to your argument.
  • Avoid "dropping quotes" without explanation; always interpret or analyze them.
  • Integrate multiple sources together when they agree on a topic; This strengthens your argument.

Poor Integration:
"Tortoiseshell cats are aggressive (Smith et al., 2018). Lee and Thompson (2020) disagree."
Improved Integration:
Smith et al. (2018) suggest that tortoiseshell cats show more aggression, though this has been disputed by Lee and Thompson (2020), who argue other factors may play a larger role.

By effectively introducing, incorporating, and analyzing sources, your paper will demonstrate critical thinking and a well-supported argument. For more writing tips, see the books below.