20 April 2014
Rules for classic expository writing tell us that reference note numbers should be placed at the end of sentences or the end of paragraphs, outside the closing punctuation mark. However, that classic rule will mislead our readers—and us at a later date—if we follow it in research reports or other types of narrative that report specific "facts" found in the course of research.
For precision, our placement of reference notes within sentences and paragraphs needs to clearly distinguish between (1) the "facts" actually asserted by the source we're citing; and (2) our interpretation of the situation or context we're adding from elsewhere.
If a single sentence must contain "facts" from multiple sources, then we will need to place a reference note wherever the "facts" from one source ends and the "facts" from a different source begins. If a sentence contains not only information from a source but also our own interpretations or observations, clarity again calls for placing the reference number at the point where the information from the source actually ends and our own thoughts begin.
EE offers much more advice on the use of reference numbers when writing about records—particularly in chapter 2 "Fundamentals of Citation." You can find one critical section, EE 2.38, under the "Sample Text Pages" tab at EvidenceExplained.com.