Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

Which part of the research process helps ensure that all necessary sources are acknowledged?

1. Researching

2. Citing

3. Analyzing

4. Comparing

The correct answer is: Citing

Citing is the part of the research process that plays a crucial role in ensuring that all necessary sources are acknowledged. When researchers gather information, they rely on various sources, including books, articles, and websites. Properly citing these sources allows researchers to give credit to the original authors and provide a trail for others to follow to locate those sources. This practice not only respects intellectual property rights but also enhances the credibility of the research by demonstrating that it is well-founded in established knowledge. In contrast, researching primarily involves gathering information and data but does not inherently include acknowledging the sources used. Analyzing refers to evaluating and interpreting the gathered data, while comparing involves examining different pieces of information against one another to identify similarities and differences. None of these processes are specifically focused on the acknowledgment of sources, which is why citing is the most relevant aspect of ensuring that all sources are recognized.