9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Question for All the Health/Diet/Fitness Writers Out There or Anyone Who Can Answer

by The Herm
7 replies
I'm writing an e-book on a health/diet related subject and I'm currently working on the research end of it. The topic I'm writing about is something that I have some practical experience in, but I'm not a doctor or nutritionist so I'm using credible sources to back up my claims.

I know that using e-zine articles and such are a big no-no when it comes to doing research if you want to be able to provide your readers with good, solid factually based evidence and reasoning. So, I'm using credible sources (think Harvard Medical Review and the like) and I'm wondering if anyone knows about citing these sources in an e-book?

Can you simply state something along the lines of "according to Harvard Medical Review..." and leave it at that? Or would you actually include a live link to the information in the book?

I hope this isn't a totally stupid question, I just want to make sure that I'm doing this the right way.

Thank you in advance.
#answer #health or diet or fitness #question #writers
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    This is a touch outside the realm of copywriting, but here's a couple of resources you may find useful:

    Guide To Citation In The Harvard Style

    The Chicago Manual of Style Online: Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide
    Signature

    Andrew Gould

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7299333].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
    It would be more credible with a bibliography so the actual citations are there, but you can do it either way. The easiest way would be to use EasyBib but you can also do it yourself following the standard MLA guidelines given here.

    (Sorry, copywriters. I didn't realize it was in the wrong section before I answered.)
    Signature
    Discover how to have fabulous, engaging content with
    Fast & Easy Content Creation
    ***Especially if you don't have enough time, money, or just plain HATE writing***
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7299339].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author The Herm
    Thank you both for the helpful info on this! I've bookmarked all of these so that I can go back later to use them.

    I think the Chicago Manual of Style is the one I was looking for and Tina, I like the idea of doing a bibliography at the end as well.

    This is my first time putting something this comprehensive together and I want to make sure I have a great product when I'm done.

    Thank you!
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7299453].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author colmodwyer
    You want to make sure you save all the studies offline too. You're into the realm of the FTC and FDA with health, so you need to be extremely careful about claims and such too.

    Colm
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7300975].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dan Curtis
      There are two types of references that I would find appropriate for a medically related article.

      One would be a reference to an original research article published in a peer-reviewed journal. Peer-reviewed journals are those in which all articles are read by experts in the field before they are published. If the experts don't agree that the article is worthwhile they don't get published.

      For medical articles you find these references on pubmed.

      The second type of reference would be something like another website, an expert in the field or an institution like Harvard or Mayo Clinic.

      You should be careful to distinguish these two types of references. No matter how esteemed, information from experts, even Harvard, is not fact; it is opinion. It should be used to highlight and contrast your own expertise in the area.

      For example: "Experts at Harvard, notably Dr. Harold Greece, recommend alpha lipoic acid for heart disease. My own view is somewhat different..."
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7316066].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    I would not personally embed a link to a cited
    source in an ebook in this sort of situation
    unless I could figure a way to monetize the
    link.

    Including a bibliography without clickable
    links is sufficient and, considering the
    state of scholarship and attribution in
    ebooks, considerably above average in
    terms of professionalism. I can't see
    it harming your book's credibility and it
    will probably enhance it.

    Citations in the Chicago style are instantly
    legible to skilled readers with academic
    training (college).
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7318044].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    I've found some good stuff on WebMD. Lot's of quotes from well-respected people in the industry.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7325414].message }}

Trending Topics