Why cite sources?

When you base your ideas on another person's work, you must document the source you used. This gives credit to authors for their ideas and demonstrates you consulted a variety of resources, providing evidence for your arguments.

Documenting your sources provides a trail for your reader to follow to see the research you performed and discover what led you to your original contribution. Citing your sources helps you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious violation of the Academic Integrity Code.