5 Why We Cite: Giving Credit and Building Trust in Research
Why do we cite?
Ever wonder why researchers and scholars are so keen on citing sources? Well, it’s not just about following rules; it’s a crucial part of the intellectual game. Let’s break it down in simpler terms to see why citing is so important.
- Respecting the Thinkers Before Us: When we cite, we’re basically saying, “Hey, I got some of my ideas from these smart folks who came before me.” It’s a way of giving credit to the people who did the groundwork and paved the way for our own thinking.
- Making Sure Information is Trustworthy: Imagine reading something important, like a research paper. You want to know that what you’re reading is legit, right? Citing helps with that. When authors mention where they got their info, it’s like showing their sources. This makes the whole thing more trustworthy.
- Joining the Conversation: Think of scholarly work as a big conversation. When we cite others, we’re jumping into that conversation. We’re saying, “I agree with this part,” or “I think this idea needs more exploring.” It’s a way of contributing to the ongoing discussion in our field.
- Avoiding Copying and Cheating: Citing is also a superhero move against plagiarism, which is like copying someone else’s homework. When we cite, we’re saying, “I’m not stealing this; I’m giving credit where it’s due.” It’s an important way of keeping things fair and square.
- Showing Our Work: Remember how teachers would ask you to show your work in math class? Citing is a bit like that. We’re showing how we arrived at our conclusions. It’s not just about the final answer; it’s about the steps we took to get there. This helps others understand and maybe even replicate our research.
So, in a nutshell, citing is like a respectful nod to those who came before us, a way of making sure information is solid, a ticket to join the scholarly conversation, a guard against cheating, and a method for showing our work. It’s a simple but powerful tool that keeps the wheels of knowledge turning smoothly.
APA Style
For this philosophy course, I’ve opted to follow the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) style. The decision to use APA stems from its clear and structured format, which is particularly beneficial when communicating complex ideas in a formal academic setting. Whenever you cite, you must follow this guidelines.
To learn more about APA style citation, here are the Seneca Library Guidelines for APA Style citation.
And you can find also some exercises in this Pressbook. APPA Style Citation Tutorial.
