Section I. General questions about citation and style manuals

1. a. A set of efficient, consistent rules with regard to citation and format that allow writers to clearly credit their sources Incorrect Answer
2. b. A set of rules and structure that, if followed properly by the writer (i.e., you), helps the reader understand exactly what the writer means Incorrect Answer
3. c. A set of consistent, efficient rules with regard to citation and format that, if followed properly by the writer, helps the reader find the specific sources cited by the writer Incorrect Answer
4. d. A set of consistent, efficient rules with regard to citation and format that is of use to scholars and few others Correct Answer
5. e. A set of consistent, efficient rules that, the writer follows to provide citations and references Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is d. A set of consistent, efficient rules with regard to citation and format that is of use to scholars and few others.

Scholars do indeed consider citations to be a fundamental element of their craft. However, this concern is not limited to academics. Thoughtful, intelligent people in general rely on citations and bibliographies to determine the veracity and currency of assertions. You might look upon a citation style manual as a key or legend both for the writer and reader. When authors follow a particular style, readers know how to interpret what the authors are saying in short-hand about sources used and where to find them.

It is important to choose a particular style and follow it, as each style provides a specific set of rules to give structure and consistency to your writing. Citation style allows writers to clearly give credit to their sources (through both citations and bibliographies), to make their meaning clear to readers, and to let readers know where writers obtained the information that that they have referenced.

The School of Public Policy recommends that all of our students use Diana Hacker’s Pocket Style Manual, which highlights APA, MLA and Chicago (sometimes called "Turabian") styles. (Instructors for individual courses may request students to follow a particular style.) Each of these styles presents essentially the same information, but the order and format varies according to the style you choose. For example, APA style, created by the American Psychological Association, follows a common practice of the physical sciences of requiring in-text citations like this: (Rhodes, 2002). In contrast, MLA style (from the Modern Language Association) does not feature the publication date in its in-text citations. Somewhat different from both APA and MLA styles, Chicago style offers two choices: in-text citations or footnotes in place of in-text citations. This second type of Chicago style is sometimes called "Turabian."

To explore different styles, check the GMU Writing Center website (http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources.php) or the Diana Hacker website (http://www.dianahacker.com/bedhandbook6e/subpages/documentation.html). You can also look at the individual style websites. The Chicago Style Guide keeps a current website, and constantly updates their blogs and FAQs at http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html; the APA Style (http://www.apastyle.org/) and the MLA Style Guide (http://www.mla.org/style) have information on their websites, but information there is a bit more general.

To make sure that your citations and bibliography (or works-referenced section or works-cited section or reference list) at the end of your manuscript follow the correct format, you may wish to use Zotero, a free and easy-to-use program. You can download it and learn more about how you can use it by going to http://www.zotero.org.

To learn more about citation styles in general, go to the Documenting Sources section on GMU’s Writing Center website: http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources.php. You might want to check out this website before proceeding.

1. a. Zotero handles all of your sources such that once they are properly entered into your browser-based database (often with a single click) you can easily instruct Zotero to insert citations, according to the style you choose, directly into your text as you create it. Incorrect Answer
2. b. As you read a source, you can keep notes in Zotero, and you can create your own tags that will help you find the source you want when you are writing future papers. Incorrect Answer
3. c. Despite the ease with which you can build your own database of sources with Zotero, you must always check the information entered about each entry (or source) as you are creating it in Zotero, as sometimes information gets entered into the wrong fields. Incorrect Answer
4. d. Once you learn Zotero and create an accurate database, you usually don't need to re-key source material that you have already entered though you can adjust or add to information in any entry at any time. Incorrect Answer
5. e. All of the above Correct Answer

The correct answer is e. All of the above.

Zotero is a free and easy-to-use program that you can download into your Firefox browser to help keep a record of sources, create citations and a bibliography or works-cited page (all within a consistent style that you set). Zotero is a product of George Mason University, and it was created as an extension to the Firefox browser. The software is easy to learn and navigate, but, as mentioned previously, you can also learn more about the program by going to the Zotero website (http://www.zotero.org), attending a Zotero workshop hosted by the GMU library (http://library.gmu.edu/education/classes.html), or setting up a one-on-one appointment with a librarian to go over any difficulties you may have with the software.

If you would like to practice your Zotero skills, try the Bibliobouts game (http://bibliobouts.org/). This is a game where you pit your research skills against your opponents’ and build a bibliographic database at the same time. You will need a free Zotero account and Firefox browser software to play.

1. a. A bibliography is not necessary if your client, boss or professor does not explicitly ask for one Incorrect Answer
2. b. You should always include a bibliography, no exceptions Incorrect Answer
3. c. With few exceptions, a bibliography is not necessary if you include thorough information in your in-text citations Incorrect Answer
4. d. A bibliography may not be necessary when writing a quick policy brief (sometimes called a "one-pager"), but you should be ready to produce an accurate and finished bibliography upon request Correct Answer
5. e. Because much policy research must be performed on short deadlines, bibliographies are never needed Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is d. A bibliography may not be necessary when writing a quick policy brief (sometimes called a "one-pager"), but you should be ready to produce an accurate and finished bibliography upon request.

As a general rule, the serious analyst always includes a bibliography (or references, works-cited, or works-referenced) at the end of each document.  Each citation style has a different format for how information should be presented in a bibliography, but virtually all of them require one. You can explore some of the different examples on the Diana Hacker website (http://www.dianahacker.com/bedhandbook6e/subpages/documentation.html).

1. a. To give credit to those on whom you are relying for ideas, information and words Incorrect Answer
2. b. To reassure the reader who asks "Why should I believe you?" and "How do you know?" Incorrect Answer
3. c. To help enable the reader to go back to your sources to verify what you have claimed or to do further research on the matter Incorrect Answer
4. d. To demonstrate that you are building on past work in order to create new knowledge or to expand understanding about a topic Incorrect Answer
5. e. All of the above Correct Answer

The correct answer is e. All of the above.

You should always look for citations in others’ work, as the quality and extent of citation can help you assess that work.   In turn, proper, consistent citation should be reflexive habit whenever writing a paper or performing serious analysis. However, this advice should not be interpreted as suggestion that you use extensive direct quotations in your text. Good writers should not over quote. Use your own words whenever possible.

In the end, consistent, accurate and complete citation is a matter of honesty.  Policy analysts must be transparent in their methods and sources. This professional norm is the sine qua non (i.e., an absolutely essential element) of most serious policy work.  If you want your ideas to be taken seriously, cite your sources.  This practice on the part of other professionals ensures that you get credit for your ideas too.