Citing research in personal statement

[Matrix12]

---

Members do not see this ad.

In one of my paragraphs I used the results of some studies. I made my citation using the lead author for each of these studies and made it absolutely clear I was getting them from the journals and it was their results. I realize this is a little bit unusual but the results of these studies actually had a significant influence in my story towards medicine. I'm wondering if it's ok to cite research in this informal manner since I can't have a list of references for an official MLA formatting. How would an Adcom view this?

 

[Porfirio]

How would an Adcom view this?

😴

 

[Oxygen206]

In one of my paragraphs I used the results of some studies. I made my citation using the lead author for each of these studies and made it absolutely clear I was getting them from the journals and it was their results. I realize this is a little bit unusual but the results of these studies actually had a significant influence in my story towards medicine. I'm wondering if it's ok to cite research in this informal manner since I can't have a list of references for an official MLA formatting. How would an Adcom view this?

😴

Ok but really, you aren't writing scientific literature here. You can refer generally to the studies. This is a personal statement....talk about studies that influenced you but don't get too formal. Sounds like it might come across very awkwardly if you try citing stuff.

This is all with the assumption that you are not an MD/PhD applicant.

 

[Oxygen206]

This advice also applies to MD/Phd candidates.

Good to know. I made that disclaimer cause I have no idea what the differences are between regular MD and MD/PhD apps 👍

 

[Porfirio]

This is all with the assumption that you are not an MD/PhD applicant.

He would have another essay to write, but even in that essay I would not "cite" research. That is not very creative.

 

[Ansar]

Just...I don't even know. I don't think it's necessary to be citing at all...let alone be referencing journals.

 

[Matrix12]

I'd rewrite the section that causes you to cite the paper. This isn't a report (even a report about you), it's a statement. Try to focus on two questions: "Why medicine?" and "Why you?" If you need to cite anything you're doing it wrong. This advice also applies to MD/Phd candidates.

Well that's the thing, the research I'm citing is the research I used in finding a treatment for a rare illness that I had. So it absolutely answers the "why you" part of the PS. I'm not quoting anything from the studies I'm just citing the final result so I could then say how I used those results.

 

[Oxygen206]

Well that's the thing, the research I'm citing is the research I used in finding a treatment for a rare illness that I had. So it absolutely answers the "why you" part of the PS. I'm not quoting anything from the studies I'm just citing the final result so I could then say how I used those results.

I still can't see how this would necessitate citing studies.....

 

[Matrix12]

I still can't see how this would necessitate citing studies.....

It doesn't necessitate but it sounds a lot better saying "Given x,y, and z I thought a so I tried b and it worked." It shows the logic of how to research an illness at play and getting the corresponding treatment.

Without "x,y, and z" it sounds like. "I had x, so I researched some stuff and tried b and it worked." Giving a general statement like that doesn't show the logic that went into the effort and so doesn't answer the "why you" part of the PS.

 

[Oxygen206]

I'd still remove the citation. "I found an article that..." would be a better choice for prose.

This.

 

[Matrix12]

I'd still remove the citation. "I found an article that..." would be a better choice for prose.

Ya I'd be ok with saying that, but I'm wondering if that's plagarism if you're not saying the doctor who wrote that article. I mean that's basically what I'm doing now, it's just I'm including the lead author's name so instead of "I found an article that..." I'm saying "Dr. so-and-so found that..."

Then I'm wondering if that's plagarism as well.

 

[Oxygen206]

Ya I'd be ok with saying that, but I'm wondering if that's plagarism if you're not saying the doctor who wrote that article. I mean that's basically what I'm doing now, it's just I'm including the lead author's name so instead of "I found an article that..." I'm saying "Dr. so-and-so found that..."

Then I'm wondering if that's plagarism because you're not actually properly citing it even with the lead author's name.

I know its hard to believe that those rules don't apply to a personal statement, but they don't.

 

[TheShaker]

Ya I'd be ok with saying that, but I'm wondering if that's plagarism if you're not saying the doctor who wrote that article. I mean that's basically what I'm doing now, it's just I'm including the lead author's name so instead of "I found an article that..." I'm saying "Dr. so-and-so found that..."

Then I'm wondering if that's plagarism as well.

I think your university has burned the plagiarism rules into your head a little bit too much. I felt the same way when I was writing my research statement for MD/PhD. It's totally unnecessary though.