Research Paper Terminology and Citation Styles

Definition of Terms

• Clarifies key concepts, terms, and terminology in a research paper to aid reader understanding.
• Usually found as an annex, positioned at the beginning or end of the work.
• Includes definitions of acronyms, jargon, and key terminology essential for comprehension.
• Ensures readers interpret terms as intended by researchers, reducing potential misunderstandings.

Types of Definitions

Conceptual Definition

• Represents the universal meaning of a term, generally understood by many.
• Derived from common sources like dictionaries.
• Abstract and non-specific, serving as a broad definition.

Operational Definition

• Specifies the term's meaning as applied within a particular study.
• Allows for measurement and is also known as a functional definition.
• Involves detailed explanations of technical terms and data collection methods.
• Forms:
  • Measured Operational Definition: Describes how a concept gets measured in the study.
  • Experimental Operational Definition: Details the manipulation of variables by researchers.

Functions of Definitions

• Establishes clear procedures for measuring variables in research.
• Provides consistent meanings for terms that might have varying interpretations.

Example of Definitions

• Measuring water temperature: an operational definition would detail the thermometer type, positioning, and measurement duration, while a conceptual definition would describe the scientific aspect of temperature.

Citation Styles

• A citation style outlines the rules for citing sources in academic writing to prevent plagiarism.
• Proper citations are required whenever quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing work.

Common Citation Styles

American Psychological Association (APA)

• Mainly used in social sciences like psychology and sociology.
• Employs author/date citation method; includes author's last name and publication year in text.

Chicago Manual of Style

• Established in 1906 as a guide for American English.
• Example citation: "Einstein, Albert. 1923. The Meaning of Relativity. Princeton: Princeton University Press."

Modern Language Association (MLA)

• Utilized primarily in English Composition and communication classes.
• Example citation: "Baron, Dennis. What's Your Pronoun? Beyond He & She. Liveright, 2020."

Council of Science Editors (CSE)

• Formerly known as CBE; predominantly used for scientific papers.

Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

• Uses a numbered referencing style, applying citation numbers in square brackets within the text, with full references provided at the document's conclusion.