Final answer:
Ava can avoid plagiarism by checking with her instructor for the preferred format for academic citations, including in-text citations when referencing sources in her paper, and adding a reference page at the end of her work. She must also keep thorough research notes.
Step-by-step explanation:
To avoid plagiarism in her research paper about the habits of domesticated animals, Ava should take several steps. First, Ava should check with her instructor to determine the preferred format for academic citations for the assignment. This format could be APA, MLA, or another style, depending on the course requirements.
Next, she should be sure to give credit to her sources by including in-text citations in her paper each time she references someone else's ideas, whether she is quoting them directly or paraphrasing their work. Proper in-text citations include brief details about the source, such as the author's last name and a page number if available.
Lastly, Ava should ensure that she includes a reference page at the end of her paper, listing all the sources she used in her research. This page should be formatted according to the citation style she is using and should provide all necessary information for readers to locate her sources.
By following these steps and maintaining diligent note-taking during her research process, Ava can effectively compile her findings without plagiarizing.