How to cite research paper? The answer for this question seems to be easy but in the time of actual research paper writing we have to face so many problems. First of all, the part which you will cite in your paper should be properly indicated. The name of the author and the source from which you have cited the portion should be indicated properly. When you are taking help from others hard work you should always show proper respect.

Mostly we cite secondary information in our research paper. Secondary information can be of two types- 1) personal documents and 2) public documents. Personal documents like biographies, diaries, letters and memoirs are of first type. Various types of personal documents are very important source of information in different types of research. While providing the information in objective conditions they also throw important light upon the subjective condition of the author. This information is relatively more reliable particularly when they have not been prepared with the intention of publication.

In spite of the above mentioned importance, personal documents suffer from the following limitations, as sources of information-

1) Difficulty in collection- it is difficult to collect more important and confidential personal documents. They are rarely recorded and more seldom preserved. They are generally destroyed after a short time. Again, as the personal documents involve the author's emotional attachment he seldom shares them with other persons. Therefore, the collection of important personal documents is very difficult.

2) Reliability of data- It is very difficult to assess correctly the reliability of personal documents. There is almost no criterion to judge their validity since they are written from subjective view point, colored by personal likes and dislikes. They are full of distortions and exaggerations. Therefore, their reliability is always questionable and rarely established.

3) Difficulty of definite conclusions- It is not possible to arrive at some definite conclusions about a problem on the basis of personal documents. Personal documents do not represent contemporary social conditions objectively. They never utilize scientific methods. Then, most of the authors of personal documents are abnormally sensitive and emotional. Therefore, not much reliable information can be secured through their personal documents.

Records, published data, letters and magazines, newspapers, other documents from non government sources like university or institutes, trade chambers etc. are different types of public documents.

1) Records- Records occupy the most important place among public documents. Most of the governmental and non governmental departments preserve so many types of records consisting of important information. For example, every police department keeps a record of its activity. Each police station keeps a record of criminals living within its field. Besides, private companies keep different kinds of records. All these records are important sources for doing research. Information received through them has a high degree of reliability. It is how ever, difficult to collect such records, particularly those which are never published.

A researcher at the time of writing his research paper should use his intelligence in choosing the right source of information to cite in his paper.

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