How many sources should a research paper have?

Usually 3-4 reliable sources should be sufficient. This should be enough external information to complement your original thoughts/ideas. With too many sources, the essay becomes a compilation of opinions from other writers instead of your own.

What is the appropriate number of references?

Typical job seekers should have three to four references, while those seeking more senior positions should consider listing five to seven, experts suggest. And be sure to list your strongest reference first.

How many citations is good for a researcher?

An h-index of 20 indicates that a researcher has published 20 papers with at least 20 citations; likewise, an s-index of 10 would mean a researcher had published 10 papers that had each received at least 10 self-citations.

How many citations should a paper have?

Answer: Regarding the number of reference citations, there is no specific number or range that is considered as normal or standard. You should cite just about enough sources that are required for your paper. The number of references you will use depends on how much literature exists on the topic.

How many citations are too many?

As a general rule, there should be between 8 – 12 references for every 1,000 words.

Is it bad to have too many sources in a paper?

If you have too many references, readers may wonder if you did any original research at all. Unless you’re writing a literature review, your paper’s primary focus should be on your investigation and findings. Don’t bury your hard work under strings of citations and discussion regarding other works.

How many references should a 3000 word essay have?

In your case, about 8.5 double spaced with 12-point font and 1″ margins. Multiply that by three to get 25.5, so round up to 26. That’s about how many citations you should have at least – you can have more. Now, divide 26 by five to get 5.2, and round down to 5.