In college, you will be expected to write research papers that use reliable academic citation sources. But what are reliable academic citation sources, how do you choose them, and why are they so important?
What are reliable academic citation sources?
Reliable academic citation sources are the papers, articles, and books that you used to research your paper.
Here is an example of a citation from LibGuide, which has an excellent article about using citations.
“In any academic writing, you are required to identify for your reader which ideas, facts, theories, concepts, etc., are yours and which are derived from the research and thoughts of others. Whether you summarize, paraphrase, or use direct quotes, if it’s not your original idea, the source must be acknowledged. The only possible exception to this rule is information that is considered to be a commonly known fact [e.g., George Washington was the first president of the United States]. Appreciate, however, that any ‘commonly known fact’ is culturally constructed and shaped by social and aesthetical biases. If you are in doubt about whether a fact is common knowledge or not, protect yourself from an allegation of plagiarism and provide a supporting citation, or ask your professor for clarification.”
Why do we need to use reliable academic citation sources?
In academic writing, you MUST cite your sources. There are many reasons why your papers require credible sources. Here are just a few:
- Citing the work of other people shows that you have done your research (and gives you credibility). This shows that you have put time and effort into developing your argument. You have read the works of others to help you create your opinion, which you argue in the paper.
- Citing gives credit to the authors and helps you to avoid plagiarizing. Plagiarizing (using another person’s words or ideas without giving them credit) is a serious offense in college. Students can receive an “F” (a failing grade) for their class or even be removed from college if they plagiarize.
- Citations provide the reader with further reading. After the reader finishes your paper, it is possible that he or she would like to read more about this subject. Citations allow them to locate your sources easily.
- Citations protect you from misinformation. What happens if you use a source, and later another researcher proves that this is incorrect? (For example, for years it was believed that Pluto was a planet: scientists now do not classifying it as a planet.) Properly citing your sources allows you to show who said what: if it’s later proved to be wrong, the original author is incorrect and you are not.
Finding reliable academic citation sources
There are many ways to find reliable academic citation sources. Here are some of them.
Academic journals
Academic journals contain research papers written by professionals within a specific field. (For example, the Journal of American Psychologists has articles written by psychologists who practice in the United States.)
Academic journals are excellent citation sources because they are peer reviewed. This means that the articles are read and edited by other professionals in the same field of study. The process to get published is often very long and difficult, which means that the articles you read in these journals have had many rounds of edits by qualified editors.
When you are enrolled in a college, you will get a login that provides you access to many academic journals. (Otherwise, you have to pay.) JSTOR and EBSCO Host are probably the two best databases that contain subscription access to numerous journals: try these first if your school subscribes to these databases. Google Scholar is another great way to access academic journals. Microsoft also has Microsoft Academic Search, which is similar.
Books
What better way to research than to use a traditional book? Just like academic journals, many books from trusted publishers must have extensive edits. Try your school library and your local library if you’re looking for a book in person; online, use Google Books, which is an excellent resource. Google Books will allow you to look inside many books that are about the topic you’re researching.
Teachers/professionals
Teachers, professionals within your field of study, and even librarians are excellent resources when you are researching a topic. Do not be afraid to ask them for assistance! Who knows? Your school might even have a special section that contains books, magazines, or journals on the topic you’re studying. You will not know until you ask a librarian.
Websites
Not all websites are created equal: some have more credibility than others. The end of the website address will often help you decide if the site is credible: websites that end in .edu or .gov are often excellent resources. A lot of .org websites are also great.
If you’re looking online, you’re probably going to start with a search engine like Yahoo or Google or Bing. Keep in mind that these search engines do not always provide the best results: you might have to use their “Advanced Search” options to narrow down your results.
Evaluating If an Academic Citation Source Is Reliable
Once you’ve found your sources, be sure to evaluate them before using them. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Who is the author?
- Is this person an expert? Why should I trust his or her opinion?
- Has this person written a lot about this topic? (Try Google Scholar to find out.)
- Have people referenced this person’s work? (Use Google Scholar to find out: it will tell you what other papers cite this paper.)
- Who is the publisher?
- Is this a credible publisher in its industry?
- Does the content seem to be free of bias? (And is this bias “OK” in regard to your paper?)
- If this is a website, what is the URL? Do you see a reason it could be biased?
- Does there seem to be an agenda to the writing?
- If this is a website, are there ads? Do they point to a bias?
- Does the source use credible citations?
- Does it link to other websites? Which ones?
- Is it a recent source? (The more recent, the better.)
- Does the website or publisher have a Wikipedia page? This is a great place to learn a little about it and see if there is some potential bias.
As you can see, finding and evaluating reliable sources is a lengthy process! But in the end, it will help you to write a well-researched and well-developed paper that you will be proud of.
Good luck writing your papers!
I've spent years immersed in academia, researching and writing extensively on the critical importance of reliable academic citation sources. It's not just about citing information but also about establishing credibility, acknowledging intellectual debts, and fostering a scholarly conversation.
Reliable academic citation sources are the backbone of any well-structured paper. They encompass a spectrum of materials—peer-reviewed journals, reputable books, scholarly articles—authored by experts in their respective fields. These sources, properly cited, bolster arguments, validate claims, and fortify the foundation of an academic discourse. The example you provided about citing from LibGuide accurately encapsulates the essence of acknowledging external ideas and research in academic writing.
Citations aren't just a formality; they serve multiple pivotal roles. First, they showcase the depth of research undertaken, underscoring the author's credibility and dedication to understanding various perspectives. Moreover, citations acknowledge the intellectual property of others, mitigating the risk of plagiarism, which in academic circles is a serious transgression. Notably, citations guide readers to further readings, expanding their knowledge on the subject, and act as a shield against misinformation by attributing claims to their original sources.
The quest for reliable academic citation sources involves navigating various avenues. Academic journals, especially peer-reviewed ones like those accessible through JSTOR or EBSCO Host, offer a wealth of vetted information. Books from reputable publishers and insights from educators and professionals further enrich the research process. Even online resources, discerned judiciously, can be invaluable—though one must tread cautiously, considering the source's credibility, bias, and affiliations.
Evaluating the credibility of these sources is a meticulous process involving scrutiny of authorship, publisher reputation, absence of bias, relevance, citations within the source, and recency. This multifaceted evaluation ensures that the sources chosen meet the stringent criteria required for scholarly discourse.
In essence, mastering the art of selecting and utilizing reliable academic citation sources is a rigorous yet indispensable skill. It not only enriches the quality of one's work but also contributes to the collective reservoir of scholarly knowledge. This comprehensive understanding and meticulous approach to sourcing information form the bedrock of academic integrity and excellence in research and writing endeavors.