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Introduction to Library Research

Why Cite?

Whenever you quote or base your ideas on another person's work, you must document the source you used.  If reading a source contributed to the ideas presented in your paper, you must give the author(s) credit, even if you do not quote their work directly.

Citations should provide answers to the following questions:

  • Who produced the work?
  • Where is it published or made available?
  • When was it written?

For a book, it is standard to include the following:

  • the name(s) of authors or editors
  • the title, the publisher's name and the place of publication,
  • the most recent copyright year.

Content of the citation will vary between type of material you are referencing. Use the tabs on the left for specific resources.