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Citing doesn't happen without a good reason.
Citing doesn't happen without a good reason.
Researchers, professionals, and experts consult outside sources and then cite them in their writing when there is a good reason to do so, for example:
to help build a case
to provide context
to provide evidence or substantiation
When authors cite outside sources in order to achieve these goals, it gives their writing more credibility.
Another reason authors cite is to show that their research builds upon the findings of previous studies, rather than just emerging from thin air. In other words, citing shows how an author's research is grounded in our current knowledge of the world.
Think about that journal article excerpt you saw on the previous page:
"Old-growth ponderosa pine forests have become rare (Harrington and Sackett 1992, Noss et al. 1995) and meadows have shrunk due to tree encroachment (Swetnam et al. 1999)."
The authors of this excerpt are citing sources within their text to show the reader that other studies already established certain facts. The research they put forward in their article will then build upon and extend those facts. So new studies build upon the work done in previous studies! It's really rather fabulous and wonderful, if you give it some thought.
QUESTION 1. Authors consult (and then cite) outside sources in their writing to achieve the following:
A. To make their writing appear scholarly.
B. Because it's a requirement for the peer-review process.
C. To offer readers context, evidence, or substantiation.
D. To seem erudite and well-read.
(Answer at bottom of page.)Once you have a REASON to cite, you are OBLIGED to cite.
Once you have a REASON to cite, you are OBLIGED to cite.
If you decide you need to refer to other sources in your writing in order to help build a case, provide context, and/or provide evidence or substantiation, then you are ethically obliged to cite those sources. Using information from another source without acknowledging and honoring the efforts of the creator is not only unethical, it's also a form of stealing called plagiarism. You are also obliged to cite for reasons of transparency. Citing allows your readers to locate and inspect the source you used, in case they want to verify that you used it appropriately.
Also, just FYI – when you cite an outside source, it's often referred to as giving credit to that source.
More about plagiarism.
More about plagiarism.
You probably already know (or think you know) quite a bit about plagiarism, but sometimes what you learned in high school or in other classes is incomplete. In fact, frequently it's not quite accurate. Gulp.
So, let's break it down. Plagiarism is the act of taking ideas, words, or other information from a source without indicating your use of that source. This is also known as not-giving credit to the source.
Sources could include:
books
newspaper articles
websites
journal articles
magazine articles
songs
artworks
television shows
YouTube videos
email messages
interviews
conversations
letters
advertisements
podcasts
computer programs
or ANY other medium
If you encounter a situation where you are unsure whether you are committing plagiarism, seek advice from your instructor, or from NAU's Lumberjack Writing Center before turning in your assignment.
What does it mean to take from a source in a way that constitutes plagiarism?
Using your own words to paraphrase or summarize from a source without giving credit to the source.
Copying whole sentences from a source without giving credit to the source.
Copying parts of sentences from a source without giving credit to the source.
Copying phrases from a source without giving credit to the source.
Copying diagrams, illustrations, charts, pictures, or other visual materials without giving credit to the source.
Copying media, including images, audio, video, or other media without giving credit to the source
By the way, to copy means to make a similar or identical version. In your writing, it is NEVER appropriate to copy text from a source (even short phrases) and pass the text off as your own.
Some students think that anything they find on the internet is free to use, and it's ok to copy it, and there's no need to give credit – but this is incorrect. Copying from the internet is considered plagiarism.
QUESTION 2. Plagiarism only refers to COPYING sentences or phrases from written text without giving credit; it would not be considered plagiarism if you borrowed ideas from a source without giving credit.
true
false
Here's the bottom line: Give credit for anything that originates from somewhere outside of your head, unless the information is considered common knowledge. But, if you are not sure, then just give credit. It's safer.
QUESTION 3. Information on the internet is free, so it is ok to use information you find on websites without giving credit to that website.
true
false
What are the consequences of plagiarizing?
What are the consequences of plagiarizing?
Plagiarism is a serious transgression. Depending on the circumstances, you could receive an "F" in a class for plagiarizing. Depending on how serious your offence is and/or whether you commit plagiarism multiple times, you could even be expelled from college.
Plagiarism is just as serious after you graduate from college. People lose their jobs for plagiarizing. And, if you gain a reputation as a plagiarist, it'll be hard for you to find anyone to employ you.
QUESTION 4. You could get fired from your job for plagiarizing.
true
false
What's next?
What's next?
Answers to questions on this page:Question 1. CQuestion 2. falseQuestion 3. falseQuestion 4. true
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