Why we Cite our Sources
Citing your sources aligns closely with the topics we covered in the previous two modules. The list below provides the important reasons we cite sources in our research.
- Perhaps most importantly, citing your sources helps prevent plagiarism.
- Citing sources helps establish your credibility. Unless you already hold an advanced degree, you are not an expert on your topic. Citing sources lets your readers know that you did the research and the facts you share in your paper are backed by credible sources.
- Citations allow interested readers to track down your sources and read the original research.
What's with all the rules?
Citation styles (like APA, MLA, etc...) are used to provide consistency. Citations help ensure all the information about a resource is there and is easy to read. Different disciplines follow the different styles based on the needs of their disciplines.
There are tons of citation rules, but you DO NOT have to memorize them all. There are numerous reference guides, manuals, and online tools to help you. Look in the right column for some of the top citation resources available from Vann Library. Over time, you might learn some of the rules, but you can always use the available tools to keep citations easy.
Don't Stress
It's true, citations are no fun, but you don't need to stress over them. Every resource you use includes ALL of the information you need to create your citation. Creating a citation is a lot like putting a puzzle together. The author's name is usually the first piece of the puzzle, then the title of your resource, and so on...
The books and websites to the right can help you format the names, titles, and other information according to the citation style used by your professor.
Citation Resources
Websites
Books
The titles listed below are available from the Vann Library Reference Collection. The titles cannot be checked out, but can be used in the library as long as you'd like.
Ask-A-Librarian
If you have any questions about the Research Process, using library resources, or completing these modules, please contact one of our Reference Librarians via the contact information below. You can always call or text our Ask-a-Librarian phone number for help as well. That number is 260.638.VANN (8266).
Reference Librarians
Cindy Kump, MLS
Reference & Instruction Librarian
260.399.7700, ext. 6056
ckump@sf.edu
Celia Price, MLS
Reference & Instruction Librarian
260.399.7700, ext. 6066
cprice@sf.edu
