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Research Strategies

Manage your research strategy, use databases more effectively, and understand how the library is organized -- it's all here.

About Formatting and Citation

 

Doing research for a paper is an exploration and learning process. By acknowledging your sources you show your reader the path taken to come to your conclusions. Citing the authors you read shows how you connected others’ research and ideas together and how you came to learn about and develop your own ideas and opinions.

Why should you cite your sources?

  1. Citations reflect the careful and thorough work you have put into locating and exploring your sources.
  2. Citations help readers understand the context of your argument and are a courtesy to the reader, who may share your interest in a particular area of study.
  3. Citations allow you to acknowledge those authors who contributed to your learning and your work.
  4. Citations, by illustrating your own learning process, also draw attention to the originality and legitimacy of your own ideas.
  5. By citing sources you demonstrate your integrity and skill as a responsible student and participant in your field of study. 

Your research paper must be formatted according to the style manual your instructor requires you to use - APA, MLA, or Chicago.

Cite Your Sources

 

Format your papers and cite your sources in the style required by your instructor or most commonly used for your subject area.