Citing your sources is an essential part of writing any research paper. It demonstrates that you’ve thoroughly investigated your topic, gives proper credit to the original authors, and helps your instructor understand how you used those sources to support your ideas.
Use both in-text citations and a Reference List (or Works Cited page) to show where your information comes from. Doing so not only strengthens the credibility of your work but also allows readers to locate the materials you consulted.
You should cite any information that is not your own original thought. This includes direct quotations, paraphrased ideas, facts, statistics, and opinions taken from someone else’s work. Accurate citation reflects academic integrity and helps you avoid plagiarism.
However, you do not need to cite common knowledge — facts that are widely known and can be found in multiple reliable sources. For example: “Presidents’ Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February.”
When in doubt, cite. It is always safer to acknowledge a source than to risk academic dishonesty.
Harcum College uses several citation styles, each associated with a specific academic program:
AMA – Medicine and Health
APA – Psychology, Education, and the Social Sciences
ASA – Sociology
MLA – English and the Humanities
NLM – Medicine and Health
Your instructor and academic program will determine which citation style you should use. For additional guidance, refer to the Plagiarism & Academic Integrity tab.
Abstract: A brief summary that highlights the main points or findings of a longer work, such as a research paper, article, or report.
Bibliography: A complete list of all sources you consulted during research and writing, whether or not you directly cited them in your paper.
Citation: The information needed to identify and locate a source, such as a book, article, or website. The format varies depending on the citation style you use.
Citation Style: A set of rules for formatting citations, including the order of information, punctuation, and layout. Common styles include APA, MLA, AMA, and ASA.
In-text Citation: A brief reference to a source within your writing that points to the full citation in your reference list or works cited page.
Works Cited (MLA) / References List (APA): A list at the end of your paper that provides complete details for every source you cited, formatted according to the required citation style.
