What is a citation style? Different disciplines use slightly different formats for their citations. For example, scholars who write about literature usually use MLA style; psychologists and other social scientists use APA style, and historians usually use Chicago style.
Search this Guide Search. Research older version : What does it mean to cite a source? Item I want is not at Hostos Library Accessing online resources from off-campus Basic internet skills I want to find a specific book I know the title or author What about using books for research?
Printing and photocopying Talk to a librarian. Basic definitions When you include information from a source in a paper, presentation, or other project, you must give credit to the source's author. Some definitions: Direct Quote: Someone else's exact words, placed in quotation marks and followed by a parenthetical citation. Paraphrase: Someone else's ideas explained in your own words, followed by a parenthetical citation.
Summary: Similar to a paraphrase, but used to give an overview of many ideas explained in your own words. Citing Sources. Search this Guide Search. Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper Offers detailed guidance on how to develop, organize, and write a college-level research paper in the social and behavioral sciences. The Abstract Executive Summary 4. The Introduction The C. The Discussion Limitations of the Study 9.
The Conclusion Appendices Definition A citation is a formal reference to a published or unpublished source that you consulted and obtained information from while writing your research paper. Importance of a Citing your Sources Citations document for your readers where you obtained your material, provide a means of critiquing your study based on the sources you used, and create an opportunity to obtain information about prior studies of the research problem under investigation.
Citing the works of others is important because: Proper citation allows readers to locate the materials you used. Citations to sources helps readers expand their knowledge on a topic. One of the most effective strategies for locating authoritative, relevant sources about a topic is to review footnotes or references from known sources ["citation tracking"]. Citing other people's words and ideas demonstrates that you have conducted a thorough review of the literature on your topic and, therefore, you are reporting your research from an informed and critically engaged perspective.
The list of sources used increases your credibility as the author of the work. Other researcher's ideas can be used to reinforce your arguments. In many cases, another researcher's arguments can act as the primary context from which you can emphasize the significance of your study and to provide supporting evidence about how you addressed the "So What?
The ideas of other researchers can be used to explain reasons for alternative approaches. If you disagree with a researcher's ideas or you believe there is a gap in understanding the research problem, your citations can serve as sources from which to argue an alternative viewpoint or the need to pursue a different course of action. Ju st as the ideas of other researchers can bolster your arguments, they can also detract from your credibility if their research is challenged. Properly citing sources prevents your reputation from being tarnished if the facts or ideas of those cited are proven to be inaccurate or off-base.
It prevents readers from concluding that you ignored or dismissed the findings of others, even if they are disputed. Ideas are considered intellectual property and there can be serious repercussions if you fail to cite where you got an idea from. In academe, failure to cite other people's intellectual property could lead to receiving a failing grade for the assignment or the course.
In the professional world, failure to cite other people's intellectual property ruins careers and reputations and can result in legal action. Citing sources as a student in college will help you get in the habit of acknowledging and properly citing the work of others. Within MLA style, the format of the citation also tells you "what"--that this source is a journal article that you accessed through an online database.
Ask A Librarian. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. What does citing a source mean? Citing or documenting information sources is an important part of the research process. Once your research paper is complete you may need to create a Bibliography or List of Works Cited. To cite a source means to give credit for the original source of information, an idea, or way of articulating an idea.
It is a standardized method of acknowledging resources used in your research. Why cite sources? Scholarly discourse Scholars cite their sources and provide lists of the sources to give credit to the work of other researchers, and so that colleagues and others can locate the source.
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