Academic Writing

References
60
Part 1:
The Writing Process

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1 Mentioning sources
In the early stages of an essay, it is common to refer to the views of other writers on the subject,
to show that you are familiar with their work, and that your work will take their research into
account.
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Read the following example, from a study of ‘technology readiness’ in consumers, and
answer the questions below.
Combining
Sources
UNIT
1.9
For most assignments, students are expected to read a range of sources, often
containing conflicting views on a topic. In some cases, the contrast between the
various views may be the focus of the task. This unit explains how writers can
present and organise a range of contrasting sources.
The extent to which consumers desire to use new technology is commonly
influenced by factors such as consumer attitudes toward specific technologies
(Bobbit and Dabholkar, 2001; Curran et al., 2003), the level of technology anxiety
exhibited by consumers (Meuter, Ostrom, Bitner and Roundtree, 2003), and
consumer capacity and willingness (Walker, Lees, Hecker and Francis, 2002). Mick
and Fournier (1998) argue that consumers can simultaneously exhibit positive
feelings (such as intelligence and efficacy) and negative feelings (such as ignorance
and ineptitude) towards new technology. Venkatesh (2000) found that ‘computer
playfulness’ and ‘computer anxiety’ serve as anchors that users employ in forming
perceptions of ease of use about new technology.

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62
Part 1:

The Writing Process
(a) How many sources are mentioned here?
(b) What was the subject of Meuter, Ostrom, Bitner and Roundtree’s research?
(c) Which source contrasted fear of computers with playing with computers?
(d) Which source examined the paradox of positive and negative attitudes to
computers?
(e) How many sources are cited that studied attitudes to particular technologies?
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