Why is appropriate citation important

Template courtesy of Nash Community College. This page illustrates how to interpret the parts of an MLA citation for different. Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves three purposes: It gives proper credit to the authors of the words or ideas that you incorporated into your paper.

It allows those who are reading your work to locate your sources, in order to learn more about the ideas that you include in your paper. Citing your sources consistently and accurately helps you avoid committing plagiarism in your writing. But : What if the URL breaks? This avoids charges of plagiarism and separates your words and thoughts from the words of others. After you write and format your paper, do a final check. Make sure your margins are correct.

Ensure your references are properly cited, both in-text and in your source entry. Then, turn in your paper! The more you learn about following citation styles, the easier the task becomes. Chicago Style Guide. Average rating 3. Vote count: No votes so far!

Be the first to rate this post. These are the most common ones for middle, high school and college classes: MLA 8 format is used primarily in the humanities, like English literature.

APA 6 format is designed for the social sciences, like psychology. Indiana University. The following USC Libraries research guide can help you properly cite sources in your research paper:. The following USC Libraries research guide offers basic information on using images and media in research:. Listed below are particularly well-done and comprehensive websites that provide specific examples of how to cite sources under different style guidelines. This is a useful guide concerning how to properly cite images in your research paper.

This guide provides good information on the act of citation analysis, whereby you count the number of times a published work is cited by other works in order to measure the impact of a publication or author. The links below lead to systems where you can type in your information and have a citation compiled for you. Note that these systems are not foolproof so it is important that you verify that the citation is correct and check your spelling, capitalization, etc.

However, they can be useful in creating basic types of citations, particularly for online sources. NOTE : Many companies that create the research databases the USC Libraries subscribe to, such as ProQuest , include built-in citation generators that help take the guesswork out of how to properly cite a work.

When available, you should utilize these features because they not only generate a citation to the source [e. 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.