Research Writing requires you to establish a new body of knowledge systematically which means that there are processes through which a research is conducted and one if which is documentation.
Documentation in research Writing shows that you have done research because it will make reference to other sources you have used in the course of your research. Definitely, you must make reference to sources when making and research and it is expected that you acknowledge it.
Documentation in research provides evidence and acknowledgement of ideas you borrowed for your research.
See reason why it is important to make documentations during research:
1. It makes your work valid. People will trust your work because they have an evidence that you really researched on a particular topic before making publications.
2. It give credit to the original author, when people develop new ideas from already existing ones, it is important to acknowledge their ideas if you will be using them in your research Writing.
3. It makes for easy reference on the side of your readers
If your readers want to get more information in what you have written, a proper documentation will lead them with ease to the original author.
4. It communicates transparency
When your research Writing is properly documented and cited, it make you look transparent on the eyes of your readers and brings credibility to what you are writing.
5. It helps you avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism is an act of taking someone ideas or knowledge and making it look like it’s your own. But when you make documentations, you stay away from plagiarism and its consequences.
In Nigeria, the plagiarist is sentenced to 21 years imprisonment.