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Citation: How to Cite Your Sources

A library guide to writing academic papers by using citation styles effectively and efficiently.

Why Cite?

Why should you properly cite your research?

  • Point out the conversation you are having with other scholars and their ideas.
  • Enhance the credibility of your own argument with supporting evidence.
  • Provide your reader with additional sources for further reading.
  • Give credit where credit is due.
  • To avoid plagiarism, a serious academic violation.

Citation Politics

Citation politics is about reproducing sameness. Academia has a long history with intellectual gatekeeping. Institutions of higher education still employ a homogenous faculty population resulting in white male dominated research production favoring western systems of knowledge.

Women are cited less on average than research authored by men. If a women co-authors with a man, the paper has a higher chance of being cited.

People of color and other marginalized people are less cited than their white colleauges even if they have more experience than white researchers

Well-cited scholars have authority because they are well-cited. However, well-cited does not equate to quality especially at the expense of those less-cited.

Language adapted from Dawn Stahura's LibGuide

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