FYRE (First Year Research Essentials): Embedding Evidence in Academic Writing

Embedding Evidence in Academic Writing

Introduction to Embedding Evidence in Academic Writing

In academic writing, embedding evidence refers to the practice of using information from credible sources to support arguments, claims, and analyses. It involves using reliable evidence from experts, primarily found in academic journal articles, scholarly books, and textbooks. Properly integrating evidence strengthens the credibility and persuasiveness of an argument while demonstrating a writer’s engagement with existing knowledge in the field. 

Importance of embedding evidence in academic writing 

Embedding evidence is crucial in academic writing for several reasons: 

  • It supports and strengthens arguments. 
  • It demonstrates an understanding of the subject matter. 
  • It engages with existing research and academic discourse. 
  • It provides credibility to the writer’s work. 
  • It helps to avoid plagiarism by giving proper credit to sources.

 student studying

Methods of Embedding Evidence 

There are four main methods of embedding evidence in academic writing: direct quoting, summarizing, paraphrasing, and generalizing. Each method serves a distinct purpose and should be used appropriately depending on the context. Regardless of which method is used, proper referencing is essential to acknowledge the original source and maintain academic integrity. 

Direct Quotes 

A direct quote is the exact use of an author's words within a piece of academic writing. When incorporating a direct quote, the original text must be enclosed in quotation marks and accompanied by an in-text citation, including the author's name, year of publication, and page number. 

Summarizing 

Summarizing involves condensing the main ideas of a larger piece of text into a brief overview while maintaining the core meaning. This is useful when referring to extensive research, long articles, or entire studies without needing to include all the details. 

Generalizing 

Generalisation is used when you want to show that a similar view or perspective is shared by a variety of authors. Generalisation allows you to build a stronger argument when you can illustrate that the observation of a current trend or a particular viewpoint is shared by more than one expert or study in the field. It is basically a summary of a shared viewpoint or consensus. 

Paraphrasing 

Paraphrasing entails rewording and restructuring the original text while maintaining its meaning. It allows writers to integrate ideas into their work without relying on direct quotations. Paraphrasing is the most commonly used method in university assignments because it demonstrates comprehension of the material and integrates seamlessly into original writing. 

Examples

Have a look at the below examples of direct quotes, summarizing, generalising & paraphrasing:

Original Source: ‘Lin et al. (2014) reported that Aboriginal patients prefer yarning styles of communication, involving a two-way dialogue and careful listening, shared treatment decision-making, clinicians taking an interest in the patient as a whole, having sufficient time, and sharing information of a non-clinical nature’ (p.378). 

Examples:

Direct Quote Lin et al. (2014) found that Aboriginal patients prefer a yarning style of communication during clinical consultations with ‘clinicians taking an interest in the patient as a whole’ (p.378). 
Summarizing

Lin et al. (2016) article explores the benefits of yarning in diagnosis for Aboriginal patients.​ 
Generalizing

Research has shown that Aboriginal patients prefer yarning as a means of communication during patient and clinician interactions (Lin et al., 2016; Bessarab & Ng’andu 2010; Walker et al., 2014). 
Paraphrasing 

Evidence suggests that yarning in the clinical context is not only preferred by Aboriginal patients but also has the potential to improve care (Lin et al., 2016). 

 

Activity: Good or Bad Paraphrasing? 

References

Bessarab, D. & Ng’andu, B. (2010). Yarning about yarning as a legitimate method in indigenous research. International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies, 3, 37–50.

Better Health Channel. (2021). Skin cancer – risk factors, Victoria State Government. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/skin-cancer-risk-factors

Lin, I., Green, C. & Bessarab, D. (2016). ‘Yarn with me’: applying clinical yarning to improve clinician–patient communication in Aboriginal health care. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 22(5), 377–382. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY16051

Walker, M. Fredericks, B. Mills, K. Anderson, D. (2014). ‘Yarning’ as a method for community-based health research with Indigenous women: the Indigenous women’s wellness research program. Health Care for Women International, 35, 1216–1226. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2013.815754