Introduction to Research: Citing Sources
Citing sources is an important part of your research. It documents what sources you have used in writing your paper and gives credit to the author's work that you have. It also gives information to identify and retrieve the cited sources.
They are many citation styles available and certain disciplines at Queen's have a particular style of referencing that they want their students to use. Two of the more popular styles used are APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association).
You should always ask your professor or teaching assistant whether a particular citation style is required for research papers.
Check our Find and Use Citation and Style Guides page for assistance in using various citation styles. The Library also has print copies of the various citation styles:
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
REF LB2369 .G53 2009Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
(APA Style Guide)
REF BF76.7 .P83 2010Style Guide / American Sociological Association
REF HM569.A54 2007
For a summary and comparison of four standard citation styles, go to Duke University's page, Assembling a List of Works Cited in Your Paper.
Plagiarism
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You need to document your sources in order to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is "the unauthorized use of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own" (New Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, 1997). Plagiarism is a serious offense. For information on Queen's policy, go to Policy on Academic Dishonesty.
Interactive tutorial: You Quote It, You Note It! (created by Vaughan Memorial Library, Acadia University)
How to Avoid Plagiarism
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Check the following guides for guidelines on avoiding plagiarism:
UNVL Writing Center - Writing Tips: Plagiarism (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Avoiding Plagiarism (Glendale College Library)
Other Helpful Resources
- The Writing Centre at Queen's
Last Updated: 06 December 2010
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