Using Information
Scholarship as Conversation
Learning Objectives
- Describe the concept of scholarly conversation and explain how individual research contributes to ongoing academic dialogue.
- Evaluate scholarly sources to determine current consensus and relevance in the context of a dynamic and evolving field of study.
- Apply citation-tracing techniques to discover related research articles that enhance understanding of a topic.
Overview
Have you ever walked into the middle of a conversation and you’re not quite sure what it’s about? You may find yourself listening for a bit before you catch on and join in and even then, it may take a few exchanges before you really feel confident participating? Doing library research is very similar. At first, you’re catching up on an ongoing scholarly conversation. When you write a paper, give a presentation, or defend a thesis, you’re adding your voice to that conversation. The more you contribute to the conversation, the better you understand it.
Depending on your topic, this scholarly discussion may have begun centuries ago. Fields like philosophy, science, education, agriculture, engineering, and drama have long and deep histories. No matter what you’re studying, someone has likely explored aspects of your topic before. Your research will integrate the contributions, arguments, and findings of others. By doing so, your work becomes a part of the conversation, too.
Citations & the Scholarly Conversation
Research is an ongoing discussion among scholars, one built on questioning methods, evidence, and conclusions. This kind of critical exchange is vital for progress, and citing sources is essential to keeping scholarly dialogue honest and transparent. It shows whose ideas you’ve drawn from, gives proper credit, and helps others trace the conversation.
When you read an article, you’re stepping into that ongoing discussion. Its bibliography reveals earlier influences, and over time, you can also see who has cited it. A strong article can lead you to more valuable sources through its reference list of books, studies, or journal articles that may deepen your own work.
Understanding Change in Science
Scientific knowledge is always evolving, not because it’s unreliable, but because it adapts to new evidence and ideas. This change might feel unsettling, but it’s actually one of science’s greatest strengths. Rather than sticking to rigid conclusions, science uses inductive reasoning and ongoing evaluation to build the most accurate understanding possible.
Consensus, or general agreement among experts, is a useful guide when you’re doing research. It can point you toward what’s currently accepted or best supported by evidence. But consensus doesn’t mean every expert agrees, and that’s a good thing. Science grows through debate, competing theories, and the testing of new ideas. Differing viewpoints challenge assumptions and drive progress. So, while consensus offers a snapshot of where understanding stands now, the conversation is always open and that’s what keeps science moving forward.
For example, scientists have long debated what caused the extinction of North American megafauna (large animals like mammoths and saber-toothed cats). Some researchers point to overhunting by early humans, while others highlight climate change or a combination of both. Over time, new discoveries, like improved dating methods and fossil evidence, have shifted the conversation and helped refine theories. There’s still no single answer, but the evolving discussion shows how science works: building on evidence, weighing ideas, and adjusting as we learn more.
Follow the Conversation with Citation Tracing
Citation tracing is a smart way to explore how scholarly ideas grow and change over time. By looking at who a source cited (backward tracing) and who cited it later (forward tracing), you can follow the conversation in both directions. It’s a great way to deepen your understanding of a topic and see how ideas connect across time.
Backward Citation Tracing
This means checking the references or works cited in a source to see which materials the author used. It helps you:
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- Find important or foundational works in a field
- Understand the background or theories behind a current idea
- Spot key authors and journals that shape the conversation
- Build a strong foundation for your own research
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Backward tracing is especially helpful when you’re just getting started and want to ground yourself in the main literature.
Forward Citation Tracing
Forward tracing looks at who cited a source after it was published. Tools like Web of Science (use the “Cited Reference Search”) and Google Scholar (click the “Cited by” number) can help. Use this approach to:
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- See how an idea has influenced later research
- Find newer studies that build on or challenge the work
- Discover active researchers and current trends
- Keep up with recent developments in your field
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Forward tracing is useful when you’re expanding your research or looking for fresh perspectives.
Using both backward and forward citation tracing helps you place your work in the broader scholarly conversation. It allows you to see where ideas originated, how they’ve been discussed, and how they’ve evolved over time.
Reflection
- When have you felt like you were joining a conversation that had already started, either in class, in reading, or in research? How did you catch up and begin contributing?
- Why do you think citing sources is important beyond just avoiding plagiarism? What does it say about your role in the academic community?
- Can you think of an example (in science or another field) where new evidence led to a change in understanding? How does that influence your trust in research?
Attributions
This chapter contains material adapted from:
- Navigating Information Literacy Copyright © by Julie Feighery is licensed under a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0, except where otherwise noted.
- 1.2: Scholarly Conversation is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Carol M. Withers with Bruce Johnson & Nathan Martin.
