Using Information: Quote, Paraphrase or Summarize?
Researchers search for information known about a topic, and using that information in a manner that credits the source is often challenging. First, the researcher needs to decide if the material should be quoted, paraphrased or summarized. One way to consider this question is to reflect on a favorite story. There often is a common phrase from a character demonstrates a quality or tone particular to that tale, character or message. The specific wording is important to the understanding the author’s intent, and any modification would lessen the impact. A quote is appropriate when the specific wording of the author is used to convey the author’s tone and specific content. A retelling of the story by several persons, may use different wording, but would include that same phrase, which warrants the use of quoting. However, each person retelling the story may change certain elements, adding their personal style to the tale, but including the same elements or steps of a process. These elements are from the original story, but are paraphrased, and are rephrased in the researcher’s choice of terms. Many times, the overall moral or lesson learned from the story is sufficient for the researcher’s purpose, and this summary is appropriate.
Generally, the presentation of research needs to include material from previous research, and this is often included as a literature review in professional literature. Many journal articles introduce the topic, then provide a literature review to present the material already confirmed through research, then the method, results, discussion of their primary study are described, with a conclusion. For many research projects, the conclusion provides the essence of the results, which may be summarized by a researcher.
Overall, the goal is to compile ideas from others, but researchers need to present material in their style and apply the ideas to their compilation. Therefore, a general guideline is that no more than one-fourth of the content of a research project should be from other authors, the focus should be on the application, reflection, analysis, etc. of the material cited.
