Refer sources correctly: Know when to cite

  Citing

Introduction

Step 1: Know when to cite

Step 2: Choose citation styles

When do you need to use a citation?

• When quoting.
• When paraphrasing someone else's ideas.
• When using statistics.
• When using someone else's work as a theoretical framework / interpretive lens.
• When you are relying upon data collected by someone else.
• When you are relying upon opinions or interpretations articulated by someone else.
• When it will strengthen your argument to support your assertions by demonstrating that experts accept the validity of those assertions.

When do you not need to use citations?

• When stating common knowledge (knowledge that can be found in many sources other than those in the bibliography).
• If you aren't sure that something is common knowledge, it probably isn't.
• When the ideas, opinions, interpretations are your own (although it strengthens your case if you are able to cite others who would agree with you or whose work leads to similar conclusions). 

Source: American University Information Literacy Tutorial

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