There are two ways to use information you obtain through research in a paper: 1) as a direct quote, or 2) as a paraphrase.
If you think how an author says something will be as important as what he or she says, then use a direct quotation. Copy the quote word for word, as it appears in the source. Be sure the wording, spelling, punctuation, etc. are exact. Enclose the cited phrase with quotation marks. For example:
Hamlet says in Act III of Shakespeare's play, "To be or not to be, that is the question."
Use a paraphrase when it is the idea itself, not how the author expresses the idea, that interests you. Often paraphrases say the information more precisely, and often more clearly, than the original. Without looking at the book or article you are using, write down the author's ideas in your own words. Be sure the phrasing is your own. Don't just change a word or two from the original statement, or you will run into plagiarism problems. No quotation marks are used in a paraphrase. Listed below is an example of a paraphrase taken from Werdenbormer, Writing Research Papers: A Guide to the Process.
Original: Contrary to popular belief, exercise has never been shown conclusively to prolong life.
Poor Paraphrase: Contrary to popular thinking, exercise has never been demonstrated conclusively to lengthen life.
Good Paraphrase: No one has ever proved that exercise lengthens life.
NOTE: Both quotations and paraphrases must be cited in your paper. Only ideas that are your own or that are common knowledge (information that you see over and over again in many sources) are not cited.
CLC Writing Center