If you find that you receive feedback regarding your referencing and research skills, but are not too sure how to improve, this page will guide you through the tools to master the art of scholarly citations and enhance your research skills for academic success.
Are you a University of York student? Book an appointment with your subject’s Faculty Librarian, who can help you identify specific resources for your subject, and provide advice on tools and techniques to help you make the most of the library.
“Avoid over-reliance on direct quotations.”
“There is too much reliance here on secondary sources.”
“I want to hear what you think!”
Including too many direct quotes from secondary sources can prevent you from showing off your own analysis of the subject matter and original thinking. Excessive quoting can overshadow your perspective and critical thinking, turning the paper into a mere summary of existing works rather than a showcase of independent understanding and interpretation.
In future, you need to strike a balance between citing sources and developing your own arguments, ensuring that your work reflects your own insights and analytical skills alongside a well-researched foundation.
Are you a University of York student? Try attending our online and in-person workshops that focus on ‘Writing, Citing, and Avoiding Plagiarism’.
“Some sources you are using are improper.”
“Over-reliance on non-scholarly sources.”
“Use of outdated references.”
“Limited variety of sources used, leading to a narrow perspective.”
These comments indicate that the sources chosen may not be academically credible or relevant. Using non-scholarly or outdated sources can undermine the quality and validity of the arguments presented. Additionally, relying heavily on a limited range of sources can result in a one-sided view, lacking depth and breadth in analysis.
To enhance the credibility and effectiveness of your work, you need to carefully use appropriate and varied academic sources.
Are you a University of York student? Try attending our online and in-person workshops that focus on ‘Academic Reading: what it is and how to do it’ and ‘Critical Thinking: what it is and how to do it’.
“Some sources you are using are improper.”
“Insufficient citation of sources to support arguments.”
“Not enough referencing of sources”
Not correctly citing or referencing can inadvertently lead to plagiarism. Ensuring you cite correctly and include relevant references is key to guiding the reader to the original source for further information.
Beyond preventing plagiarism, including citations and referencing strengthens your arguments by showing that the information is based on published material or that there is a consensus in the academic community on certain opinions. This adds credibility and persuasiveness to your writing and grounds it in existing scholarly discourse.
Are you a University of York student? Try attending our online and in-person workshops that focus on ‘Writing, Citing, and Avoiding Plagiarism’.
“Lack of primary sources in your research.”
“Insufficient referencing of sources.”
“Your bibliography lacks scholarly texts.”
Comments like these suggest that you are not using an adequate number of scholarly sources to substantiate your arguments. Integrating primary sources and scholarly literature is vital for constructing a solid, credible academic argument and showcasing a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.
“There are some instances of citing and referencing format being incorrect.”
“Inconsistent referencing styles used.”
“References are incomplete or missing crucial information.”
“The bibliography does not adhere to the required citation style.”
Each referencing style, whether APA, MLA, Chicago, etc., has its own set of rules for formatting in-text citations, footnotes, and reference lists or bibliographies. These can seem like small details, but they're very important to get right!