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I. The role of sources in research
You have nearly completed LSCI 100 and have learned how to locate
and evaluate many types of information sources: books, encyclopedias,
periodicals, newspapers, and Websites. But before beginning our
discussion of ethical issues in research, let’s begin by reviewing
the proper role of sources in research. Why must sources be used
in the first place?
Many students believe that sources have to be used simply because
the teacher requires them. So they collect facts and quotes from
different books, magazines, and Websites and write a paper that
ends up being a sort of collage. As you recall from Lesson 2, however,
this would be nothing more than superficial research.
Teachers require you to use sources because they know the crucial
role they play in genuine research –- i.e.
research in which you present your own informed opinion on a unique
research question. But in order to have an informed opinion, you
must have sources to support -- and even challenge or contradict
-- your view.
Sources, therefore, are used in research because:
- Sources provide context. You are not the first
person to research your topic. In fact, it is very likely that
many others before you have written about your topic. In order
to fully understand your topic, therefore, you must be aware of
the historical, theoretical, and/or technical context in which
your topic has evolved. Who are the major thinkers in this area?
What experiments have been done? What are the major theories?
How have issues, events, etc. been interpreted in the past, and
how are they interpreted today? How has research in this area
evolved and changed over time?
- Sources offer you ideas, perspectives, and interpretations
that you may have never thought of before. Genuine research
is a deliberate attempt to gather and compare different views
on an issue or problem. These fresh insights enrich and expand
your own thinking and help you reach your own informed conclusion.
- Sources help you avoid black and white thinking.
It is a mistake to believe that there are only two sides to every
issue – the right side and the wrong side. Good research
helps you see that there are many ways of looking at an issue,
and finding the “truth” may be not be as straightforward
as one first thought.
- Sources strengthen and reinforce your writing.
Your writing becomes much more credible if you are able to support
your position with facts, evidence, and arguments from experts.
Show your reader that you have done your homework!
(Harris 2 -- 4)
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