Integrating information from sources

There are several ways to do this, depending on the subject you are studying and the effect you want to have on the reader. This guide refers to subjects where APA and Harvard referencing styles are used; however, you should also consult the Abertay Study Skills page on Referencing to ensure you are familiar with the correct style for your subject area. 

In Paragraph A, names of the authors of the study, and year of publication, come at the beginning of the citation. There is also a reporting verb used after the authors’ names (investigated). Here, it seems the authors of the study are as important (or perhaps more important) than the information itself. This is called Author Prominent style – sometimes known as Narrative style.  

This style is used in all disciplines but occurs mainly in Humanities and Social Sciences and is used to show that you are considering the ideas of others. It can be used:  

• to refer to studies closely related to your own 
• to report the findings of individual studies 

In Paragraph B, names of the authors of the study, and year of publication, have been placed at the end of the citation. Here, it seems that the information may more important than the authors of the study. This is called Information Prominent style – sometimes known as Parenthetical Style. 

This style is used in all disciplines, but Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) subjects use it almost exclusively where scholars strive to be objective. It can be used: 

• to refer to general concepts or ideas in a field 
• to report factual information that is accepted as scientific or general 

Similarly, Bluedorn & Darnhardt (1988) stress that time management is “the area in need of most research at the individual unit of analysis” (p.315) because “students become overwhelmed with feeling that there is not enough time to complete all their work adequately” (Macan, 1990, p.760). 

Twehues, A. (n/d) - Success and the Balance of Commitment and Time: Effects of Perceived Time Management Control on College Student Performance (Eastern Kentucky University, Honors Thesis) https://encompass.eku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1147&context=honors_theses  (accessed 04-02-2021) 

This may seem an easier option than paraphrasing (rewriting in your own words); however, the quotation must fit correctly with the logical flow of information that come before and after it. The grammar (word order, tenses) must also fit, and this is not as easy as it looks!

Look at you own writing and for each paragraph, highlight the source information (evidence) you have integrated to support or justify each of your claims.

• Have you used Author Prominent or Information Prominent style?
• Why did you choose this style?
• Have you used a quotation?
• Have you referred to the Study Skills Guide: Quoting information from sources?
• Have you used a mix of different integration styles in your writing?