Why cite?

When preparing a piece of work, it is inevitable that you will refer to sources written by other authors. It is essential that you provide detailed, accurate information about the sources you have used. This information must be provided for a number of reasons:

  • You must correctly acknowledge your use of the statements, opinions, findings etc. of other authors that you have used in your research. Not to do so amounts to plagiarism.
  • Correct citations allow others to use your work as a research source (for which you will be cited !)
  • Accurate citation allows you to return to your work at a later date and still make use of the research previously undertaken
As a general rule, a citation must enable another person using your work to easily identify and locate the sources that you have used in your research.