When you write a research paper, you will have to borrow information from other sources in order to prove your points. Any time you borrow information from another source, you must show in your paper where you found the information. This is called "citing" or "referencing." If you do not cite your source, you are committing "plagiarism." It is illegal to plagiarize someone else's work or ideas.

There are several different formats for citing sources in a research paper. You should check with your professor to find out which format he/she prefers. We have compiled some basic guides to understanding different citation and reference systems: APA, MLA, Chicago (Turabian), ASA, I-Search and CSE.

Citations and Reference Formats