Citing and Managing Sources
Citation is an important element in research and creating new knowledge: crediting the scholarship that you're building on, and creating a path for your readers to follow your process. The basic principle is to include all information necessary to track down a resource, but different citation styles format that in different ways.
Generally, the American Political Science Association follows the Chicago Manual of Style. If you are not sure which citation style to use, ask your instructor.
The Style Manual for Political Science provides guidance for formatting manuscripts and reference lists using the same format required for APSA journals.
Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide online, from the full Chicago Manual of Style; also consult the print Chicago Manual of Style at Call Number: AC Frost Reference Z253 .U69 2017
Zotero for Managing Sources
Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free tool that collects, manages, and formats citations and bibliographies. You can attach PDFs, notes, and images to your references; arrange your sources into collections for different projects or classes; and tag them for easy searching or to jump-start chunks of your writing. Insert citations to Word or Google Docs as you write, and create a formatted bibliography or works cited page with one click!
Need just a few citations? Try zbib.org, Zotero's online citation generator.
Check out our Zotero "step by step" guide to try it out yourself, sign up for a library workshop to get started, or make an appointment with a research librarian for troubleshooting and pro tips—it's especially useful to get started with it early in a big project. Questions? Ask a librarian, at the reference desk or virtually!
Thesis Deadline, Formatting, and Submission Guidelines
Contact the Writing Center
Need to hone your writing or oral presentation skills? Amherst College's Writing Center Associates are available to meet with you to discuss your specific class assignment, honors thesis, application essay, creative writing project, or speech.
Recommended Reading
Writing a Research Paper in Political Science by Call Number: JA86 .B24 2016Writing an introduction, coming up with effective headings and titles, presenting a conclusion, and the important steps of editing and revising are covered with class-tested advice and know-how in this book.
The Craft of Research by Call Number: Q180.55.M4 B66 2008The Craft of Research explains how to build an argument that motivates readers to accept a claim; how to anticipate the reservations of readers and to respond to them appropriately; and how to create introductions and conclusions that answer that most demanding questions.
