Answers

Answers for basic documentation quiz for both MLA and APA

1. Which of the following is not a good reason to provide references for sources you have used in your writing?
   1. Correct. Your ideas are always worth something.
   2. Incorrect. This is the best reason for citing sources.
   3. Incorrect. This is another excellent reason for citing sources. Doing so gives the impression that you have at least attempted to find the best sources to explain and support what you are saying.
   4. Incorrect. While this is not the best reason, it is sometimes the only reason students take citing sources seriously.
   5. Incorrect. Only the first reason is not a good reason.
2. Which of the following sentences is common knowledge and does not need to be supported?
   1. Correct. The first part of the sentence is an observation widely accepted as fact, and the second part of the statement is a fact.
   2. Incorrect. This is the intention of the changes, but the statement is still an opinion and needs to be supported with research.
   3. Incorrect. This is a fact not widely known and needs to be supported with research.
   4. Incorrect. This is the intention of the changes, but the statement is still an opinion and needs to be supported with research.
3. Which of the following sentences is common knowledge and does not need to be supported with documentation?
   1. Incorrect. While this is believed by some, it needs to be supported with research.
   2. Incorrect. This needs to be supported with research.
   3. Incorrect. This needs to be supported with research.
   4. Correct. This is a widely known fact.
4. Which of the following sentences is not common knowledge and needs to be cited?
   1. Incorrect. This is a widely known fact.
   2. Incorrect. This is a fact known by many and easily verified by many sources.
   3. Correct. This needs to be supported with research.
   4. Incorrect. This is a widely known fact.
5. You should quote directly in which of the following situations:
   1. Incorrect because there are also other correct answers.
   2. Incorrect because there are also other correct answers.
   3. Incorrect because there are also other correct answers.
   4. Incorrect because there are also other correct answers.
   5. Correct. All of the answers give good reasons to quote directly.
6. Of the following sources, which is least likely to be appropriate to use as a scholarly source?
   1. Incorrect. First person accounts may not always be completely reliable, but they can be verified and used as a primary source of evidence.
   2. Incorrect. These are credible sources as long as they are writing within their field.
   3. Correct. Magazine articles are not intended for scholarly use and may not provide reliable evidence.
   4. Incorrect. These are likely to be some of the most credible sources you can find.
   5. Incorrect. These have gone through a peer-review process and represent scholarly work.
7. Which of the following is a sign that an Internet site may be a credible source?
   1. Incorrect. Anything that is trying to sell you something (or depends on the support of commercial enterprises) is likely to be biased.
   2. Incorrect. You should be wary of giving out personal information that may be sold, traded, or used illegally.
   3. Incorrect. The author should provide “snail mail”information as well.
   4. Incorrect. Sometimes students think that the reason a site hasn’t been updated is because the information is still relevant and correct. However, regularly updated sites are more likely to ensure the information is accurate.
   5. Correct. Because its reputation is at stake, a site representing an educational institution is likely to be credible and useful for scholarly research.
8. Which is a sign that an Internet site should not be used for research?
   1. Incorrect. This is a sign that the author could be reached for verification of material.
   2. Correct. This site’s main purpose is to sell—not just inform or persuade.
   3. Incorrect. Your own argument might be enhanced by including opposing positions.
   4. Incorrect. A board is as legitimate as an individual author because all members have to take responsibility for the material presented.
   5. Incorrect. This is often a sign of legitimacy if the other sources are credible ones.
9. Which of the following should not be cited?
   1. Incorrect. Personal interviews are cited differently, depending on the documentation style that you are using, but they are always cited.
   2. Incorrect. Images must be cited.
   3. Incorrect. Letters should also be cited when they are used, even if the source is an unpublished letter.
   4. Incorrect. Books, like journals and other sources, must be cited if used.
   5. Correct. All sources other than you (and even you yourself if your source has been published) should be cited.
10. Whether you use MLA or APA style, your documentation should appear
    1. Incorrect. Footnotes and endnotes are used for additional material only.
    2. Incorrect. Parenthetical citations give a shortened version of the full reference.
    3. Correct. Both are needed for full and proper documentation.
    4. Incorrect. If you only cite your sources at the end of the paper, you will give the impression that you have plagiarized because the reader will not be able to identify where your sources have been used in the paper.
    5. Incorrect. Both documentation styles use parenthetical citations.