Chemistry Subject Guide: Organize, write & cite

 Manage your sources

Everyone will approach the collection and organization of research sources in different ways to suit their own preferences. However, the following advice generally applies:

• For electronic sources, download copies and back them up to the cloud
• For every source, take good notes and record page number references for text that you want to quote/paraphrase
• Ensure that you record sufficient details about each source so you can cite it properly
• Use an online research manager to help you (see below)

 Write your assignment

Common writing assignment in chemistry courses include:

• Literature reviews
• Short analytical essays
• Lab reports/notes

Information types that you should draw upon when researching for such assignments include:

• Journal articles
• Literature Reviews
• Conference papers

The Library also has a number of books providing a more detailed overview of doing research and reporting in physical sciences. Check them out:

 Cite your sources

It is vital to properly and consistently cite the information sources that you use in your assignments. Nevertheless, there is no single preferred citation style in chemistry. In some cases, your professor may require you to cite sources in common styles such as APA. However, your professor may require you to follow citation styles of major chemistry journals and societies such as the American Chemistry Society (ACS) or the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). 

For your reference, here is the ACS Style Guide:

It is important that you check with your professor on what citation style to use. Click the link below for a quick reference to commonly used citation styles.

  Click here for the Library's Citation Guide (APA, MLA, etc.)

 Online research managers

Organizing and citing your sources can be challenging, but fortunately there are several free online tools to help you. These allow you to:

• Save copies of the sources that you have found, and back them up to the cloud
• Make notes and highlights on PDF copies that you have saved
• Automatically generate in-text citations and bibliographies

The Library recommends the following tool:

EndNote   

Turnitin

Turnitin is an online software program that can compare submitted academic assignments against an extensive database of published and unpublished information, and provide a report on the degree of similarity between the assignment and the material in that database.  

To ensure that interested students are able to submit their assignments to Turnitin, the Library maintains a practice Turnitin Assignment on a designated course site on HKBU Moodle.