A citation is an explicit acknowledgement of your source. For example, if you quoted an author in your research paper, you would name the author, her work, and other bibliographic information in a citation.
Giving proper acknowledgement to your sources is a crucial
component of any research project.
You should cite sources:
| When: |
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| In order to: |
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Neglecting to cite your sources is intellectual theft because you are presenting someone else's ideas as your own. Such a misrepresentation damages your reputation and invalidates your research. It is also a violation of most universities' regulations, including the UNC Honor Code , and may be subject to disciplinary action.