How to cite

Quote, paraphrase or summarize?

There are three ways in which you can include information from sources in your own text: quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing.

Quoting

If the exact words of the original document are important, you should quote the text. This is for example the case when it matters which formulation the author used. Put the quotation between double quotation marks to indicate that the words are not your own and add a reference.

Be aware: long quotations with 40 words or more are considered as block quotations and are formatted in an isolated block without quotation marks.

When you quote, bear in mind that:

• Too many quotations make your text difficult to read.
• Quoted texts must not be too long. Your text should mostly be your own, not a copy of someone else’s.

Some examples of direct quotations

1. According to Palldino and Wade (2010), “a flexible mind is a healthy mind” (p. 147).
2. In 2010, Palladino and Wade noted that “a flexible mind is a healthy mind” (p. 147).
3. In fact, “a flexible mind is a healthy mind” (Palladino & Wade, 2010, p. 147).
4. “A flexible mind is a healthy mind”, according to Palladino and Wade’s (2010, p. 147) longitudinal study.
5. Palladino and Wade’s (2010) results indicate that “a flexible mind is a healthy mind” (p. 147).

Source: McAdoo, T. (2010). How to cite direct quotations

An example of a block quotation

When should you use references?

• When giving an overview of the research carried out previously: your starting point.
• When you use factual (e.g. statistical) data which you did not collect yourself.
• To support a statement: to indicate that it is based on research, not something you just made up.
• Sometimes, but not too often, to illustrate a point you are making.

When information is considered  “common knowledge” you don’t need to add a reference. “Common knowledge” is something that anyone familiar with a field of research is expected to know. In case of doubt, it is better to add an unnecessary reference than leave one out which is required.

When you use texts generated by AI tools (such as Chat GPT) it is important to mention this in your work. Describe how you used the tool in your methodology section or introduction and mention the prompt you used when citing a ChatGPT response.

When you publish a text, you want others to credit you when they use your work. The same applies to the authors whose work you use! Using someone else’s work or findings without indicating that you have done so is plagiarism.

• Always quote or paraphrase correctly.
• Better be safe than sorry; it is better to add an unnecessary reference than forget a necessary one.

Formatting your references

There are certain rules for the order of the references in your reference list as well as for the formatting of the references themselves. These rules are determined by the citation style (also referred to as “reference style”) you choose. A reference must contain enough elements to be traceable. There are many different citation styles available.
Usually, you will be told to use a specific citation style, so you can simply look up the style on the internet or in a book and make sure you follow its rules. If you can choose your own style, it is a matter of personal taste. Just make sure you consistently use a single citation style.

Formatting image references 

All reproduced images, photographs, tables and figures in your paper must be cited three times: in the text, in the caption beneath the image (including a copyright statement) and in the reference list. A copyright statement is not necessary if you have bought a stock photo or if the image is your own work. In that case use the words “own work” in the caption or add a note in your text stating that photo’s or drawings without reference are your own.