Exercise 1
Introduction
The internet has become an important component in the academic institutions as it plays a
pivotal role in gathering information and communication needs of institutions and individuals.
The World Wide Web is an extraordinary resource for gaining access to information of all kinds,
including pharmaceutical researches. Internet research is distinct from library research and
commercial databased research including scientific research.
Internet research can provide quick, immediate, and worldwide access to information, although
information taken from the internet are sometime not accurate, true, current, or reliable.
The most popular search tools for finding information on the Internet include Web search
engines. A Web search engine uses software known as a Web crawler to follow the hyperlinks
connecting the pages on the World Wide Web.
Google
YAHOO!
Ask.com
msn"
bing
About
WEBCRAWLER
Crawling —> Indexing —> Ranking
Parentheses - () - Around terms with Operators
Quotations - " " - Two or more words in phrase
Minus - "" - Used to delete term from search
Plus -"+" - Used to add term to search
Tilde - "~" - Searches for synonyms
AND
Retrieves articles that contain ALL the terms
NARROWS the search
Ex. cookies AND milk
OR
Retrieves articles with ANY of the terms
BROADENS the search
Ex. cookies OR milk
NOT
Eliminates articles that contain the SECOND term
NARROWS the search
Ex. cookies NOT milk
Exercise 2
Drug Information Sources
Tertiary Sources
Textbook
Drug compendia
Review articles
Full text computer
Internet
Secondary Sources
Computerized indexing systems
Abstracting publications
Primary Sources
Original research
Case studies
Manufacturer's monograph
Manufacturer
Experts
Specific internet websites
Exercise 3: Introduction to Referencing and Citing
What Is Referencing and Citing?
Definition of Referencing and Citing
Understanding Referencing
Referencing involves providing detailed information about the sources utilized in research or
writing.
Importance of Citing
Citing is the practice of including specific information from sources within the text to give credit.
Acknowledgment of Authorship
Both referencing and citing together ensure a comprehensive acknowledgment of authorship in
academic work
Importance in Academic Writing and Research
Enhancing Credibility
Proper referencing enhances the credibility of academic work by providing a clear source for
information presented.
Verification of Information
Referencing allows readers to verify the information used by tracing it back to original sources.
Upholding Academic Integrity
Proper referencing upholds academic integrity and prevents misattribution of ideas and works.
Why Is Citation Important?
Giving Credit to Original Authors
Importance of Citing Sources
Citing sources acknowledges the contributions of original authors, enhancing the credibility of
your own work.
Fostering Respect in Academia
Proper citation fosters a respectful academic environment, encouraging collaboration
and integrity in research.
Supporting Research with Credible Sources
Strengthening Arguments
Citing credible sources bolsters your arguments and claims, enhancing their validity and impact.
Linking to Scholarly Sources
Citations connect your work to reliable scholarly sources, establishing trust and credibility in
your research.
Enhancing Research Quality
Incorporating citations improves the overall quality of your research and helps prevent
plagiarism.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Importance of Citation
Citing sources is crucial for giving credit to original authors and avoiding plagiarism in academic
work.
Understanding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the unethical use of someone else's ideas or work without proper
acknowledgment, which can have serious consequences.
Tools for Avoiding Plagiarism
Utilizing plagiarism checkers and citation tools can help ensure that your work is original and
properly cited.
Understanding Citation Components
Key Elements of a Citation
Author's Name
The author's name is a key element in a citation, providing credit to the creator of the work.
Publication Year
Including the publication year in a citation helps indicate the timeliness of the information
presented.
Title of the Work
The title of the work is essential as it provides the specific reference being cited.
Publication Details
This includes information about the publisher, location, and additional details that help identify
the source.
Differences Between Citation and Reference List
What is a Citation?
Citations are brief mentions within the text that give credit to the original sources of information.
What is a Reference List?
A reference list is a comprehensive collection of all sources cited in a work, formatted according
to a specific style.
Formatting Differences
Citations and reference lists have different formatting rules and styles depending on the citation
style used, such as APA or MLA.
Common Citation Styles
Overview of Citation Styles
MLA Citation Style
MLA is commonly used in humanities, particularly in literature and cultural studies. It
emphasizes the author's name and page number in citations.
APA Citation Style
APA is widely used in social sciences and psychology. It focuses on the author's last name and
the year of publication for in-text citations.
Vancouver Citation Style
Vancouver style is primarily used in medical and scientific writing. It utilizes numbered citations
in the text linked to a reference list.
MLA Citation Style - Example Formats
Purpose of MLA Style
MLA citation style is primarily utilized in the humanities to maintain a consistent formatting for
scholarly work.
In-Text Citations
The MLA style emphasizes the author's name and page number for in-text citations to provide
clear references.
Works Cited Formatting
MLA format includes specific rules for creating a works cited page, ensuring proper credit to
sources used.
APA Citation Style - Example Formats
Author and Publication Year
In APA style, in-text citations prominently feature the author's last name and the publication
year.
Reference List Guidelines
APA style provides specific formatting rules for creating reference lists, ensuring consistency
and clarity.
Usage in Social Sciences
The APA citation style is predominantly used in the social sciences, enhancing the credibility of
academic writing.
Vancouver Citation Style - Example Formats
Purpose of Vancouver Style
The Vancouver citation style is vital for organizing references in medical and scientific
documents, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
Numbered Citations
This style utilizes numbered in-text citations that directly correlate with a corresponding
reference list at the end of the document.
Reference List Format
The reference list in Vancouver style is organized numerically and presents full citation details
for each listed source.
In-Text Citations and Reference List Formatting
How to Use In-Text Citations Correctly
Seamless Integration
In-text citations should be integrated into your text to maintain the flow of your writing without
interruption.
Citation Style Rules
Different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, have distinct formatting rules that must
be followed.
Formatting the Reference List
Arrange alphabetically
APA
Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, Volume
number(Issue number), page range. DOl or
URL
MLA/
Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article." Title of the Journal, vol. number, no.
number, Year, pages.
Numbered citation
Vancouver
Avoiding Plagiarism
What Is Plagiarism?
Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism involves using another's work or ideas without proper credit, presenting them as your
own.
Consequences of Plagiarism
Engaging in plagiarism can result in serious academic penalties, including failing grades and
disciplinary actions.
How to Avoid Plagiarism
Thorough Note-Taking
Effective note-taking is essential for avoiding plagiarism.
It helps track sources and ideas accurately.
Proper Citation
Citing sources correctly is crucial in academic writing. It gives credit to original authors and
avoids plagiarism.
Understanding Academic Integrity
Familiarizing yourself with academic integrity rules is vital. This knowledge helps maintain
ethical writing practices.
Quotation Marks and Paraphrasing
Using quotation marks for direct quotes and effective paraphrasing are key strategies to avoid
plagiarism.
Citation Tools and Resources
Citation Management Tools
Organizing References
Citation management tools facilitate the organization of references, making it easier to access
and manage research materials.
Generating Citations
These tools enable users to generate citations in various styles, ensuring proper formatting for
academic work.
Streamlining Research Process
By simplifying reference management and citation generation, these tools help streamline the
overall research process.
Online Citation Generators
User-Friendly Tools
Online citation generators are designed to be easy to use, simplifying the citation process for
users.
Automatic Citation Creation
These tools automate the citation process, reducing the time and effort needed to format
references.
Customization Options
Users can input source details and choose their preferred citation styles, ensuring accuracy and
compliance with guidelines.
Example
Scribbr
Quillbot
Microsoft word
Mendeley cite
Reliable Sources for Reference Formatting
Academic Style Guides
Many academic institutions publish their own style guides that provide detailed rules for citation
and formatting.
Official Publications
Official publications, such as manuals and guidelines, are crucial for understanding proper
reference formatting.
Comprehensive Rules
Comprehensive rules from reliable sources ensure accurate and consistent citation across
various formats.
Conclusion
Importance of Citations
Citations are essential in academic writing as they lend credibility and authority to the work.
Components of Referencing
Understanding the components of referencing is crucial for accurate citation in any academic
work.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Proper citation practices help in avoiding plagiarism and maintain the integrity of academic
writing.
