Final answer:
Incorporate a comma after the signal phrase but before the quotation begins. Do not use a comma between the quotation and the page number if it's a reference. Commas should not be used around essential information to the meaning of a sentence.
Step-by-step explanation:
When integrating quotations into your writing, it is important to follow the conventions for quotation punctuation and signal phrases to ensure clarity. If the quotation you are using is being introduced by a signal phrase, the correct format would include a comma before the beginning of the quotation.
For example:
As Jones argues, "It is essential that the principle of patient safety is incorporated into quality improvement strategies." (Smith, 1018).
In this sentence, the comma after the signal phrase "As Jones argues" clearly separates the writer's voice from the quoted text. Note that if the number 1018 is a page reference, it should follow the quotation without a comma.
When the information is essential, as in the examples provided about technical education teachers and labs, commas should not be used to set off the essential elements.