Question

Which example illustrates the proper way to cite a source in a research report when the author's name appears outside the body of the sentence?

a) "The study conducted by Smith (2018) revealed..."
b) "Smith conducted a study in 2018 that revealed..."
c) "The 2018 study by Smith revealed..."
d) "In 2018, Smith conducted a study that revealed..."

Answer 1

The correct way to cite a source in a research report with the author's name outside the sentence is "The study conducted by Smith (2018) revealed..." which aligns with APA citation style.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper way to cite a source in a research report when the author’s name appears outside the body of the sentence is:
a) "The study conducted by Smith (2018) revealed..."
This format uses APA style where the author’s name and the year of publication are included in parentheses, and is typically used when integrating evidence such as statistics into a research argument. It’s important to provide clear citations to give proper credit and allow readers to locate the original sources.

When summarizing an author's ideas, always include the author's name and a signal phrase if necessary. Paraphrasing requires citation just as much as direct quotes. If using specific numbers as evidence from a study or report, include a proper parenthetical citation according to APA guidelines.