Why Should You Cite Your Sources?
- Knowledge is cumulative, and we build new knowledge based on the work of others. Citing your sources enables your readers to access information. Sharing knowledge benefits all.
- Whatever your field, you gain credibility as a thinker and writer when you cite your sources.
- In many countries, including the U.S., research and other creative work is considered intellectual property; its originators must be credited for their work.
- Carefully documenting your sources prevents you from plagiarizing, a serious ethical offense.
What Should You Cite?
- Cite the source of directly quoted print and electronic information and images (except established facts commonly known to your reader) (examples).
- Cite the source of a concept, principle, interpretation, design, or technique, etc. (examples).
- Cite any text you paraphrase or summarize (examples).
What Citation Format Should You Use?
- Citation formats differ by disciplines. For example:
- APA commonly used in the social sciences & business: in-text and references
- MLA commonly used when working with literature: in-text and references
- Chicago commonly used when writing about history and political science
- CSE (formerly CBE) commonly used in the sciences and engineering: in-text and references
- IEEE, ACS commonly used in engineering
- AMA (see section 4) is required by some professors in the Physical Therapy program.
Before you choose a format, check with your professor or a journal from your field.
- You must cite your sources both in your text and in a list of references at the end of your work.
- Clarkson offers RefWorks to all students. Using RefWorks, you can create a database of your sources, easily add in-text citations and create your bibliography.
- In addition, under the References tab in Word, writers can find the tools to create a list of references and to insert in-text citations. Writers can select from several common citation formats.
- You can also find information about different formats at Duke Citations Reference.
- Find information about citing electronic sources at Bedford St. Martins.