EVST 3310: Approaches in Environmental Studies (Katin)

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.

Transcript

Cite when:

• you are directly quoting
• you are summarizing and paraphrasing
• you are citing something that is highly debatable

Don't cite when:

• what you are saying is your own insight
• you are stating common knowledge

For a more in-depth explanation with examples, see: 

Lowry, Cheryl Meredith, ed. "When to Cite." In Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research. Open Textbook Library. The Ohio State University, 2016. 
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/when-to-cite/

• Stop to consider whether what you are discussing is common knowledge. If it's not basic common knowledge or undisputed facts, cite your source. When in doubt, cite!
• Avoid quoting directly from the source at length unless you are diving into an analysis of the text (i.e. analyzing specific wording or a particular phrase). You'll improve the reader's experience if you paraphrase and put the information into your own words--while still citing the source!
• Don't clog up your writing with the full title of the source you're citing--that's what references are for. The reader will look up the title in the notes or bibliography if they need it.
• Be sparing about mentioning the author's name when citing, summarizing, or paraphrasing a source. It's usually best to use just the last name, or let the citation do the work for you. Again, that information will be provided in the note and full citation.

Feel like you need more explanations and support? Check out this handout:

Chicago in-text citations using the author-date style are commonly used in Environmental Studies. See the video and resources below for tutorials and tips on how to properly cite in this style:

APA (American Psychological Association) in-text citations are commonly used in Environmental Studies. See the video and resources below for tutorials and tips on how to properly cite in this style:

Don't see the citation style you want to use here? See Tulane Libraries' extensive citation guide:

Check out these academic journal articles to see models for writing and citing on the topic of sustainability initiatives on university campuses. Note that the journal may use a different citation style than yours. Always refer to the handbooks and guides for your chosen citation style to make sure you're following the correct format!