In research papers, quoting another's writing or ideas is acceptable as long as certain rules are followed. The quotation must be set apart, either with quotation marks (short quotes) or by indentation (long quotes). Additionally, you must cite the author and source of the quote. Using a few lines or more of a person's writing or not crediting the source is plagiarism and is wrong.
e.g.
According to the strictest rules, it's me is wrong. (Turn the sentence around. You would never say "me am it" or "her is it." You would say "I am it" and "she is it." However, it's me is so commonly used that it is gaining acceptance as an idiom....In informal speech or writing, it's okay, but in formal writing or public speaking, use it's I.
Elliott, Rebecca (2006). Painless Grammar. New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., p.21
Citing Internet Sources
For Internet sources, the same quotation and citation rules apply. In citing web references, use a DOI and in lieu cite the URL. The only exception is if you use information based on common knowledge or facts that are in numerous sources.
Using a URL
e.g.
The 10 largest occupations accounted for more than 20 percent of total employment in May 2010. In addition to retail salespersons and cashiers, the largest occupations included general office clerks; combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food; registered nurses; and waiters and waitresses.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.nr0.htm (May17, 2011)
Using a DOI
A digital object identifier (DOI) is a permanent digital identifier given to an object. Its most common application is identifying electronic documents.
The International DOI Foundatin (IDF) defines DOI name as "a digital identifier of any object of intellectual property."
e.g.
DOI used as a link in an HTML page would be:
- <A HREF="http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/rwei.1999%22.0001">10.1006/rwei.1999%22.0001</A>
DOI for an article from JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association:
- 10.1001/PUBS.JAMA(278)3,JOC7055-ABSY:
Resources
Internet Public Library: Citing Electronic Information, IPL2
APA Style.org
The Chicago Manual of Style Online
Purdue: Works Cited: Electronic Sources (MLA style)
Ohio State: Cite Resources: Council of Science Editors (CSE style)
ONLINE! Citation Styles
Handle System