By Shannon Moist, Head of Reference Services Librarian

Properly citing (or referencing) your sources for all those books and articles you read, and websites you visit is fundamental to avoiding plagiarism, and upholding the principles of academic integrity, which is taken very seriously at Douglas College.

Not properly citing your sources can lead to allegations of plagiarism, cheating or the misuse or misrepresentation of sources. According to the Douglas College Academic Integrity Policy, penalties for these offences can include having to repeat the assignment, receiving a zero on the assignment or even a suspension or expulsion from the College.

The main reasons it’s important for students to make correct citations are that:

• It gives credit to the people whose work and ideas you are using
• It allows those reading your work to find the resources you used
• It shows that you have done proper research into your topic

At the library, we understand that citations can sometimes be confusing, especially if it’s your first experience with them or if you are having to use multiple reference styles (MLA, APA, etc.) for different classes. Our librarians are a great place to start for learning how to properly cite your sources. We have also have many resources to help you with citations of all styles.

Need more help? Try a Citation Session for assistance with citing and research from a librarian. The sessions run 12–3pm on Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 6 and 7. No registration required – just drop in!