Why cite?

When you present research at school or on the job, you participate in an informed conversation.

You cite your sources, in order to:

• Act ethically and legally by giving credit to others for their intellectual property, whether ideas, data, images, or words.

• Demonstrate due diligence and give weight to your analysis.

• Leave a research path others can follow.

Be sure to cite your sources in your papers and oral presentations!

What is a Citation?

• Contains information on who wrote it, what it is (title), when it was published, and where you found it (book or other resource title).
• Used to give credit to the sources you use in your writing.
• Provides information to help someone find the source.
• Annotated Bibliographies may include information describing and assessing each source in the reference list.
• Usually uses either APA or MLA style.

How can you determine if you have a "good" information source? 

Try to SIFT your Sources:

Use the technique of Lateral Reading to Validate Claims and Sources

(click on image to enlarge)

This work is licensed under a creative commons attribution license.

1. STOP: Before trusting a source, STOP to consider if information is correct, current, and right for your purposes.
2. INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE: Look up the source of information. Is this source reliable? Does it present reputable, well-researched journalism? Is it edited? Is it opinion? Is it biased? 
3. FIND BETTER or OTHER COVERAGE: Consider your need and the information. Could you find a more thorough analysis? A more reliable source? Spend time to find the best info for your purposes.
4. TRACE BACK to ORIGINAL CONTEXT or SOURCE: Information can be manipulated or misinterpreted when it is taken out of context. Look at the original source to determine if the information is accurate.

Other questions to consider:

AUTHORITY and ACCURACY

• Who publishes the website?  Is this a well-know or respected institution?
• Is there contact information for authors of the website content?  What is their background or credentials?
• Is it a commercial site (.com), a government site (.gov), an educational site (.edu), a non-profit or other organization (.org)? How does this affect the information presented?
• Do other reliable sites link to this one?
• Are facts, ideas or references credible and backed up by citations to the original sources?

PURPOSE and OBJECTIVITY

• What is the purpose of this site: to sell, inform, entertain or persuade?
• Who sponsors this website?  What is their agenda or goal?
• For what audience is this site written?
• Is there advertising on the site? Does this influence information found on the site?
• Are arguments well-reasoned and supported?
• Does this source present explicit bias? If so, how does this source's perspective develop your topic?

CURRENCY

• Is the information on the page up-to-date?
• Is the page updated regularly?
• Are there dead links?

NoodleTools

Access online tutorials using the links below: