Introduction to Research

Why You Should Cite

Citing your sources is an important part of the research process. 

• It gives credit to the authors of the sources you used
• It demonstrates your credibility
• It leave a trail for your readers to follow
• It prevents plagiarism

When to Cite

• When using an exact quote
• When restating or paraphrasing an idea from a resource
• When summarizing a work
• When collaborating with others to produce knowledge

What is Plagiarism? 

According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, plagiarism means “to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own; use a created production without crediting the source; to commit literary theft; present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.”

In short, using someone else’s works without giving them credit is, in effect, stealing.  In college, plagiarism is considered academic dishonesty and can result in severe consequences, including expulsion from the college.

Does this mean you cannot use the information you found during the research process?  No!  It simply means that you have to give credit to the person whose idea it was, or who wrote the information.  For more information on plagiarism, see: Plagiarism.org.

Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism has serious consequences and ignorance is no excuse.  Intentional plagiarism, such as deliberately copying someone else's work, turning in a paper copied from a website, or creating false citations may lead to a failing grade or even expulsion from SMC.  Unintentional plagiarism may result from not knowing how to write citations, making mistakes in research or note-taking, or not being careful when cutting and pasting... but it's still plagiarism!

1. Use your own words and ideas. This also helps you order your thoughts, get your ideas across, and improve your writing.
2.  Give credit when you use other people's work, whether you copy, adapt, or paraphrase. Put exact quotes in quotation marks and cite the source.  Even if you don't directly quote it, if the work helps you understand your topic, write a citation for it!
3.  Don't just make small changes and pretend it's your own work.  If it's essentially the same work, give credit... write a citation for it.
4. "Common knowledge” or "everybody knows" must really BE common knowledge.  Don't rely on hearsay, do the research... and cite it!
5.  Better safe than sorry.  When in doubt, CITE.

Adapted from Avoid Plagiarism, by the UC Davis Office of Student Judicial Affairs.