Academic question

[unforth]

I have a question about quoting that I thought someone might know the answer to. I don't feel like trying to hunt it down online.

So I'm collecting research on science education for a lit review for a grant going to the NSF. Most of the science literature also talks about mathematics, though, but I don't need this part. So I've got a quote:
"Teachers, like their students, best learn science and mathematics by doing science and mathematics, by investigating for themselves and building their own understanding, as opposed to being required to memorize knowledge that is 'already known.'"

I want to quote it cutting the word mathematics both times. Do I have to use ellipses? I hate using ellipses, it always makes the reader wonder what critically important part of the sentence you cut because it didn't support your point. So, all you academically minded folk, do you think I can get away with that? Obviously, I'll be citing it, etc.

Comments

How do you think this looks? incomplete?

[drydem.livejournal.com]

"Teachers, like their students, best learn science...by doing science..., by investigating for themselves and building their own understanding, as opposed to being required to memorize knowledge that is 'already known.'"

Re: How do you think this looks? incomplete?

[unforth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I think I have to do, but that doesn't mean I like it. I mean, I don't think it looks incomplete, but I know what the original quote is. I feel like ellipses make the reader suspicious.

Thanks for the advice.

Re: How do you think this looks? incomplete?

[drydem.livejournal.com]

I think the ellipses do and I think the space(rhetorical and physical) saved by the elimination of mathematics is not worth the price in suspicion.

Re: How do you think this looks? incomplete?

[nekomata.livejournal.com]

Ellipses always make me suspicious. It's kind of sad...

[galiyah.livejournal.com]

I think your only options are to use ellipses or to leave it at is. Sorry.

[unforth.livejournal.com]

Bah. :(

[sharonskinner.livejournal.com]

This is correct.