Notthemama1984
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
Is there such a thing as too many footnotes in research papers?
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Especially when the footnotes are merely tangential thoughts unrelated to the item so referenced. Many students seem to think that any thought that pops into their head as they craft their paper warrants a footnote.
on a new page, start over with a reference
Especially when the footnotes are merely tangential thoughts unrelated to the item so referenced. Many students seem to think that any thought that pops into their head as they craft their paper warrants a footnote.
I don't have the Ibid problem, but am not sure about the other. I am not using footnotes to elaborate on rabbit trails or such. I am only using footnotes to reference works. I do have alot though.
Wise advice from SL here. A lot of citations per paragraph or two sets alarms bells off for me when reviewing research papers. This is a good guide on separating too much borrowing from original thought:Boliver, remember that in general a research paper should be your thoughts, conclusions, etc. with the support of others. If you have more than a couple citations per paragraph, you may have a problem. Disclaimer: my experience lies more with secular literature/research, but I doubt that seminary expects you simply to gather everyone else's thoughts without tying it together with your own.