Document information as you search
Pasting a bunch of links into a document and making sense of them later will be counterproductive on this project. Map sources to exhibits - highlighting exactly what information it provides - throughout the research process.
This spreadsheet can be copied into your Google Drive and provides a method for tracking what information comes from each source.
Two other tips:
- Use persistent or permalinks. Copying the URL from the browser won't always reopen the search results.
- Adopt a group file-naming convention to make your documents easier to search
Unlike other projects, starting the citation process the week it's due will cause unnecessary stress. Save valuable time by using this documentation method.
Help
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Pro tip: Save your research with persistent links (PDF)Some databases don't permit users to copy a URL and re-open later. Learn how to access them in the future.
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Pro tip: Name your files smartly (PDF)Using a file-naming convention (FNC) will save you time and reduce your stress.
Recommended resources
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Document COB 300 sources_Template (Google Sheets)Copy this template into your group's Google Drive folder and document where you find different pieces of evidence to cite later.
Use a citation manager
Your business plan requires 2 types of citations: In-text citations in the written part of your plan and an alphabetized bibliography of citations at the end.
Remember:The goal of every in-text citation is to direct your readers back to the bibliography so they can verify the information on their own. They work together.
To ensure consistency, I suggest the free citation manager Zotero (www.zotero.org/). Sources can be managed in group libraries, with PDFs included, and shared among team members.
Pro tip: Zotero doesn’t provide in-text citations unless you download the software and install the add-on in Microsoft Word or Google Drive.
Recommended resources (Zotero)
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ZoteroBibHelps build a bibliography instantly from any device, without creating an account or installing software
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ZoteroA free tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources. More advanced than ZoteroBib.
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Zotero plugin for Google DocsPart of the Zotero Connector for Chrome and Firefox. Requires downloading Zotero software.
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Zotero Help Guide (U. of Arkansas)The University of Arkansas Library has created this help guide for Zotero users.
Recommended resources (other help with APA style)
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Doing Business Research: Citing JMU business databasesShows how to create citations for business databases, since citation generators can't parse permalinks.
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APA Style BlogAuthors of the APA style manual answers questions about unique problems, such as "How do I cite a mobile app?"
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APA Formatting & Style GuideA thorough guide to APA style from Purdue University.
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JMU Writing CenterOffers help with formatting and citation, grammar and punctuation, and research strategies.
Use APA 7th style to cite your sources
For your business case or business plan's bibliography or reference list, use JMU Libraries' COB 300 APA guide to check your work.
Help
Use in-text citations
For attribution to sources within your plan or your case study (in-text citations), use one of these three methods to create APA in-text citations:
| Method | Example |
|---|---|
| Author-date signal phrase | In a 2017 article, John Smith reported ... |
| Author-date in parentheses | ... (Smith, 2017). Note: Use this method at end of a sentence |
| Author name in signal phrase, date in parentheses | Smith (2017) argues that ... |
Help
Can you review our bibliography?
Neither the business librarian nor the peer research advisers has time to review the bibliographies for each student team. Therefore, we can't review any of them - it wouldn't be fair to do otherwise.
Instead, take advantage of the Complete APA Citation Guide for COB 300 and the Google Slides tutorials throughout the site that show where to get the information you need to cite popular business resources.