Some people argue that official documents are biased. However, in many academic journals I've seen citations from World Bank, UN documents. I'm just wondering whether it is ok to cite them in my dissertation?
I guess if you discuss the author and circumstances of the document it is okay. Furthermore, it depends on whether you use it as a "primary" source in order to contribute to a description or as a "secondary" source that analyses or contributes theory.
In general it is OK, especially f the nature of the dissertation requires to do so.
I had my thesis in humanitarian law and Islamic jurisprudence and I needed because of such sources, i.e. the Vienna Convention.
dipending on the kind and topic of the work these might me even your primary sources
Well, someone said that official research might have conducted to promote the mission of the organization rather than pure academic reason. Bias in the research may override objectivity of the research, similar to some corporate funded research.
I guess if you discuss the author and circumstances of the document it is okay. Furthermore, it depends on whether you use it as a "primary" source in order to contribute to a description or as a "secondary" source that analyses or contributes theory.
well... when it is about WHO researches for example I would also have my doubts whether to accept those things as pure academic research.. no offense :)
It is OK to take the sources of those institutions, but you are the one who knows where what fits at best.. it depends how and where you use the "tools of the game"... if you have your doubts when taking some of those sources you may always search for the grounding sources of the and check the validity what may give yourself additional ideas for your research
If you are really concern about what they do in term of biased results, so the best thing you can do is reversing their result and see how they get the results. It seems like dissect the methodology and methods behind all the provided data but you go through the real comparison result about assumptions and the correlation between data flows there. It will give you the whole picture on how they do the research and how's it in line with what do you want to do in your dissertation. If they have an appropriate in-line position in your research methodology and methods, you can use it. If not, don't use it. In short, you do reviews first for every official document from every specific-mission organization before you use it as your information source.
It is generally okay to cite such texts, and if you're worried about possible bias, which is a matter that is not unique to these forms of texts (for example, qualitative research is generally known to be prone to bias) you can then try other ways of minimizing it by using triangulating. Here you would look for other sources of information that either corroborate or counter the findings from such reports.
I would like to know substantial material on Indigenous peoples' perspective on development.
It entirely depends on your dissertation advisers. If they are okay with it, then it is fine. In general it is okay, as long as your faculty folks are okay with it.
For example, check out an article by Tim Wilson in the 2012 issue of the Journal of Public and International Affairs, from Princeton, which cites a World Bank report.
http://www.princeton.edu/jpia/past-issues-1/2012-2/
If they can do it, you can.
I think you have a point when you say they are biased for example the recent group of experts UN report on Rwanda and the instability in eastern Congo lacked substantial evidence and has been criticised by many experts.
Official documents sometimes provide the only available source of data; in this case, independent data sampling/collection may be useful if feasible. Official documents sometimes are very rich references for discussion, particularly, if you can compare with/oppose to other references; such discussion may require an appropriate methodological approach, to be agreed with your advisor/committee.
Absolutely. Here's a handy site instructing you how to cite UN documents. Most other agencies would follow a similar format: http://brs.newsbank.com/ihelp/english/UNAD/how2cite.html
I think is OK, as long as we can provide another references to complement the argument or to counter it.
Citing them acknowledges ipso facto their possible bias. If you can find a bias, add it to the footnote—or even the dissertation if it changes your argument.
Certainly You can. Academically, there is no wrong in it. Say you are working on global burden of disease and to highlight the frequency you refer Weekly Epidemiological Report apart fr from the World Health report both published by the WHO. This is by far the only or most trusted source of information. It is rather extremely difficult (virtually impossible!!) to collect AUTHENTIC country wise statistics of disease outbreaks.
Yes. You can cite official documents as long as you got approval to do so. You can used documents as triangulation of data sources to support and justify your validity and reliability of data gathered.
When we cite documents you bring in persoective of the author to either support you line of thoughts,ideas and position you hold on certain issue. It is used as way to raise biased thoughts or perspective on a topic,thus you cite them to point weakens of evidence, ideas presented by the author. It is ok to Cite from UN agencies and Brettonwood Institutions in dessertation
Yes, but be sure to properly cite (give attribution for) the document. Also, indicate any potential biases and cross-reference with contemporaneous sources to put the document(s) in the appropriate context within the research/question.
What do you think of using footnotes instead, which point to the Web site (mostly the case)? The reference section would be clean from such documents, and the reader would have access to the information.
It is quite ok to cite "official" documents by these organizations in a dissertation. Most are based on considerable analytical work and serious research. Advocacy element, when present, is usually quite explicit and one can easily see the difference between advocacy and research. Note that these organizations maintain extensive, purely research paper series and journals (e.g., World Bank Economic Review) that are often on the forefront of applied development policy research.
Hi Abu, I think it is acceptable to cite any source. The credibility of the source should come form the context in which you cite it. There is also the point that some organisations are the only source for some statistics, research studies and analysis. If you feel the use of any source needs qualification you can provide that in the text you are writing. The only warning would be if they are specifically excluded in the rubric that guides the writing of your dissertation provided by your University or Faculty or Department. It would be surprising but worth checking. This is always worth reading in any case for this and many other reasons. BW Matt
In my opinion, it is correct to quote official sources specific when required to do so in a research work, especially when you are investigating in the economic or in social and political fields. In these cases, it is convenient to use official sources to sustain some important ideas or statement that have been included in a research paper.
In the field of natural and exact sciences citation from official sources to sustain some criteria or ideas that have been incorporated into the research work is not a prerequisite and is rarely used.
Yes, it is perfectly ok. As noted, many scholars do so (in particular in development studies).
I totally agree with Matt. There shouldn't be any problem as long as the sources are credible.
You will find some bias in ALL scientific literature if you delve deep enough. As long as you use a proper reference and citation system you can site any document - just be sure you understand the reason why you are citing a scource.
I prefer footnotes but most Journals don't like them, so I just cite it, but mention the source in my text in case the reader doesn't really look at the references. Always good to try to find an opposing source and understand why the different conclusions. Sometimes they are looking at different time ranges, etc. I noticed this when looking for data on the performance of individual investor accounts. You can find a source that says virtually anything you want to hear. Many people will just cite the one they agree with. For me that's a no no. I would rather change my argument and account for at least most of the sources rather than just to pick one that supports my argument.
Dear Sufiyan, in general, as we all know, it is perfectly fine to quote information, opinions, arguments, actions, policies and findings etc. from various official documents from Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations. Now as per ethics, referencing of all those sources from where any such quotes are made is mandatory thus the citing of these sources isn't only justified but necessary.
Still, as I said in an earlier comment, it might be more meaningful to discuss the possible doubts that made you ask this question.
It is Ok, moreover, even welcome - if:
1. you provide proper citation and a source, where anyone can get the document you cite and chech if your citation is made properly;
2. you do not use such sources as primary ones (at least, not use only such sources);
3. organizations, which provide documents you cite, are credible ones (NGO's are OK, but, honestly, some are very biased)
Every document you use to support a scientific work must be cited other than that it is plagiarism.
Look, if they are biased, show it. Cite. Citation does not mean approval.
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