Can you find lots of other ways to rephrase "according to"?

Question

I'm making a research paper and it would really help. Example: Instead of writing "according to Richard Covington,..." I'll write "Richard Covington, a renowned..., says that..." Got it? I need a lot more of those. It would really help.

Answer 1

In the words of
It was attributed to
The opinion of
It is credited to
Richard Covington was quoted as
Richard Covington was recorded as
Legend has it that Richard..
It is on record that

Answer 2

Richard Covington states...
Richard Covington, a well known author, believes...
Richard Covington, a well known author, writes...
Richard Covington, author of so-and-so, indicates...
Richard Covington in his book so-and-so discusses...

There are many ways to rephrase what you're trying to say.