How can Derek ensure he attributes the work summarized in his informal email to a colleague?

To ensure proper attribution of the work summarized in his informal email, providing links to the articles he read and summarized is an effective approach. This method allows Derek to give credit directly to the original sources of the information, enabling his colleague to easily access the original materials for further reading. Including hyperlinks fosters transparency and adds credibility to his email, demonstrating that he values the work of other authors and encourages his colleague to explore the information further.

While different formats like APA citations or a bibliography can certainly provide a method for attribution, they might not be as suitable for the informal nature of an email, where direct links can offer a more straightforward way to reference sources. Avoiding mention of other authors entirely would not meet the ethical standards of academic and professional communication, as it could be perceived as an attempt to claim work that is not his own.