COMMON MISTAKES RESEARCHERS COMMIT IN WRITING RELATED LITERATURE AND CITING REFERENCES

Summary

In this episode of the Bibo Project, common mistakes in writing the Related Literature Review (RLR) section of research papers are discussed. Key issues include disjointed ideas, plagiarism through unparaphrased sentences, use of non-reputable sources, incorrect citation formats, citing outdated sources, and incomplete references. Teacher Alfred advises students to avoid these errors to ensure their papers are problem-free.

Takeaways

• 🔄 Lack of Harmony: Students often fail to arrange literature review ideas in a coherent sequence, leading to disjointed and unrelated content.
• 📝 Plagiarism Risk: Forgetting to paraphrase sentences directly taken from sources can result in plagiarism, a serious academic offense.
• 📘 Unreliable Sources: Students sometimes cite from non-reputable sources like Wikipedia, blogs, or predatory journals, which undermines the credibility of their research.
• 🔗 Incorrect Citation: Including full URLs instead of proper citations can be seen as unprofessional and may not meet academic standards.
• 🔄 Inconsistent Citation: Varying citation styles within a single manuscript is unacceptable; adherence to a consistent format like APA or MLA is crucial.
• 📚 Outdated References: Using sources that are older than five to ten years can make a research paper seem outdated and less relevant.
• 📖 Incomplete References: Omitting essential reference details like book or journal names can lead to incomplete citations, which are less helpful for readers.
• ⚠️ Avoid Common Mistakes: To ensure a high-quality research paper, students should be mindful of these common mistakes in writing related literature reviews.
• 👨‍🏫 Guidance from Teacher Alfred: The video offers valuable guidance from Teacher Alfred on how to avoid these pitfalls in academic writing.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video script?

The primary focus of the video script is to highlight common mistakes students make in writing the related literature review (RLR) section of their research papers.

What is the significance of a well-written related literature review in a research paper?

A well-written related literature review is significant as it provides a comprehensive overview of existing research, establishes the context of the study, and supports the research question or hypothesis.

What is the first mistake mentioned in the script that students often make in their literature review?

The first mistake mentioned is the lack of harmony among the ideas in the literature review, where students may put together ideas from various sources without proper sequence or connection.

Why is paraphrasing important when including sentences from sources in a literature review?

Paraphrasing is important to avoid plagiarism, which is illegal and unethical. It allows students to present the information in their own words while still giving credit to the original source.

What is the issue with using non-reputable sources in a literature review?

Using non-reputable sources can undermine the credibility of the research paper, as these sources may not be peer-reviewed or lack the necessary academic rigor.

Why should students not include the entire URL when citing websites in their literature review?

Including the entire URL is not appropriate because it is not a standard citation practice. Instead, students should state the author and include other relevant data needed for publishing online content.

What is the problem with inconsistent citation styles within a single manuscript?

Inconsistent citation styles can create confusion and reduce the professional appearance of the manuscript. It is important to follow a consistent citation style, such as APA or MLA, throughout the paper.

Why is it generally recommended to use recent references in a literature review?

Recent references are recommended because they provide the most current and relevant research findings. However, older materials may still be relevant if they are foundational or classic works in the field.

What is the last mistake mentioned in the script that researchers often commit when writing the related studies?

The last mistake mentioned is the lack of complete references, where researchers might forget to include essential details such as the name of the book or journal where they obtained the information.

What advice does the script offer to avoid making these common mistakes in writing a literature review?

The script advises students to be careful and attentive to avoid these mistakes, ensuring that their paper is free of problems by following proper citation practices, using reputable sources, and maintaining consistency in their writing.