NF when to use electronic sources?

[mphstteach]

Hello guys, I know many of our authors check this page and I am looking for opinions from writers and civil war buffs. I am writing a short regimental history of the 5th WV infantry. While I have a few traditional sources most of the sources are found via the Internet. They are primary sources but just found electronically through Library of Congress, fold 3 and other such Avenues. My big question though is when writing a book would it be acceptable to use very highly regarded websites like the Civil War Trust website when filling in gaps of information? They have a great map and overview of the battle of McDowell that has been really helpful to me. Now, I know I cannot use the map because they require permission but would citing a website in a regimental history book be just a terrible amateur move? Or with it being 2016 is the use of organizational websites in books an accepted practice? This will not be published nationally, I am going to self publish it but I would like for it to be as professional as possible. Thanks for any advice

 

[brass napoleon]

From a credibility standpoint, I don't think there's anything wrong with citing a reputable web-site. The biggest problem is from an accessibility standpoint. You'll need to cite the date you accessed it, and be aware that by the time your reader reads it, the data might very well have been changed or moved. (Use "permalinks" whenever possible to help avoid this). The other problem too is that oftentimes URL addresses are very complex, and your reader will be hard-pressed to type them into their browsers. For this reason I think citing web-sites works much better when your own material is on the web - then you can just provide a hyperlink to click on.

 

[DaveBrt]

Hello guys, I know many of our authors check this page and I am looking for opinions from writers and civil war buffs. I am writing a short regimental history of the 5th WV infantry. While I have a few traditional sources most of the sources are found via the Internet. They are primary sources but just found electronically through Library of Congress, fold 3 and other such Avenues. My big question though is when writing a book would it be acceptable to use very highly regarded websites like the Civil War Trust website when filling in gaps of information? They have a great map and overview of the battle of McDowell that has been really helpful to me. Now, I know I cannot use the map because they require permission but would citing a website in a regimental history book be just a terrible amateur move? Or with it being 2016 is the use of organizational websites in books an accepted practice? This will not be published nationally, I am going to self publish it but I would like for it to be as professional as possible. Thanks for any advice

I would approach the question this way: Is the information "common knowledge?" If so, no footnote. If the material is not, then how badly do you need it for your story? If it is important, do you have any other source for the information? If not, then you have to use the web site.

BUT, before using the web site, how about contacting them to find out THEIR source. Best case, you can use the same source; worst case, you find they have no source for their statement and you do not embarrass yourself.

 

[Allie]

You can find guidelines for how to correctly cite a website on the internet. If the website is quoting another source, it's better to find the source yourself, but in the case of original content, the website is what you cite. At this late date, I think it's pretty accepted to use a website as a source. No less professional than using any other secondary source. (Secondary sources not being optimal.) The main things which are different from citing another publication are that you have to provide the date you accessed it, and there may not be an author listed on the site.

 

[mphstteach]

You can find guidelines for how to correctly cite a website on the internet. If the website is quoting another source, it's better to find the source yourself, but in the case of original content, the website is what you cite. At this late date, I think it's pretty accepted to use a website as a source. No less professional than using any other secondary source. (Secondary sources not being optimal.) The main things which are different from citing another publication are that you have to provide the date you accessed it, and there may not be an author listed on the site.

Thank you i know "how" to cite a website, was just curious of perception. If I'm going to publish my book when using a website source do I need to email for permission? Or is my citation all that is needed?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I would guess that if it's within the bounds of fair use, a request for permission is polite but not strictly required. (I wouldn't recommend pushing the boundaries of 'fair use' unless you have a lawyer in your pocket and a pile of cash you have no real use for, and courtesy is usually inexpensive.)

 

[mphstteach]

I would guess that if it's within the bounds of fair use, a request for permission is polite but not strictly required. (I wouldn't recommend pushing the boundaries of 'fair use' unless you have a lawyer in your pocket and a pile of cash you have no real use for, and courtesy is usually inexpensive.)

I must be dull, what constitutes fair use?

 

[mphstteach]

So, if I am using primary sources from the WV archives website I have to ask for permission?

 

[DaveBrt]

So, if I am using primary sources from the WV archives website I have to ask for permission?

If they are government documents, they are public and can be used without contacting the archive. If you are wanting to quote from the papers in someone's personal papers, there should be a statement at the beginning of that collection giving any use restrictions (very rare, in my experience) and how the archive wants the document referenced by you.

Fair use cannot be precisely defined. The idea is that you do not quote an entire chapter out of someone's book without his permission. If you want to quote a sentence or a paragraph, that is usually ok without permission.

 

[mphstteach]

Thanks for the info, over my undergraduate and Graduate Studies I have written dozens of long research projects. But with a book I feel a little gun-shy about using sources that I had no problems using in a thesis. Thank you all for alleviating those worries. And I firmly believe that all masters of History students should have some sort of class about acceptable use, fair use and how to publish their works. I was taught multiple times how to write but not how to successfully publish a book

 

[DaveBrt]

Thanks for the info, over my undergraduate and Graduate Studies I have written dozens of long research projects. But with a book I feel a little gun-shy about using sources that I had no problems using in a thesis. Thank you all for alleviating those worries. And I firmly believe that all masters of History students should have some sort of class about acceptable use, fair use and how to publish their works. I was taught multiple times how to write but not how to successfully publish a book

I've found this site to be very helpful.

https://gettingpublished.wordpress.com/

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

In essence, 'fair use' is the limited quotation or citation of another's work in the process of your own. A lawyer or legal scholar could probably give a better definition, but in my understanding, if you're using so much of the source material that you're basically republishing the original, that's beyond the bounds of fair use (and, it should be needless to say, doing so without proper attribution is outright plagiarism). Brief quotes, etc., may be used without obtaining permission beforehand. I'd say that, if there's any question in your mind if it's pushing the envelope, ask; most authors would happily give permission if asked politely, I'd imagine.

 

[mphstteach]

In essence, 'fair use' is the limited quotation or citation of another's work in the process of your own. A lawyer or legal scholar could probably give a better definition, but in my understanding, if you're using so much of the source material that you're basically republishing the original, that's beyond the bounds of fair use (and, it should be needless to say, doing so without proper attribution is outright plagiarism). Brief quotes, etc., may be used without obtaining permission beforehand. I'd say that, if there's any question in your mind if it's pushing the envelope, ask; most authors would happily give permission if asked politely, I'd imagine.

Makes sense, most i have done is use a quote about a sentence long so proper citing should suffice

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Yup, that would be a good example of 'fair use.'