CJ 3135: Advanced CJ Research Methods

Even if your professor doesn't tell you to cite your sources, you still have too. Chances are, if they didn't tell you, they just assumed you know it's required. Any source you get information from whether it is an interview with a person, a pamphlet from a government office, a web page, a journal article, a book, etc. requires a citation. When you use that sources' information, you must give them credit; if you don't you, you are plagiarizing.

"plagiarize"

• to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
• to use (another's production) without crediting the source
• to commit literary theft
• to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

(From Merriam Webster Online.)

Explore the links below to learn more about Plagiarism and how to avoid it.

When using the library's research databases, many (such as Academic Search Complete) provide the option to place the document's citation information into the the style format of your choice when you go to print, save or email it. Remember to select the APA format (or which ever style your professor requires) and you can save yourself some time. For online resources that don't have this option and when citing from print resources, print and online APA Style manuals are available.

Not sure how to cite a resource? Ask a librarian!

Helpful APA related sites to assist you with proper citations:

Citing your sources is one of the most important steps in doing research.  RefWorks will allow you to store and organize your citations as well as easily create your bibliography/references (whether annotated or not) and final paper in the correct style.  

You can use RefWorks to:

• Organize references
• Format bibliographies
• Create a database of your own citations
• Import references directly from library databases
• Insert in-text citations, footnotes and bibliographies using the Write-n-Cite tool
• Share your citations with a group