Citation rules to avoid plagiarism: ethical use of sources

Citation rules are there for a reason and it's not to bother us. Stealing someone else's ideas is not only ethically wrong, but it can also cost us our degree.

You have to give something to get something

No one likes to be stolen from, especially if what is being stolen is something that we ourselves have created. In theory, it's easy to understand, just take a moment to think about how we would feel if someone appropriated our ideas and took credit for them, but in practice... Oh! What does Mary Wollstonecraft care if I appropriate her ideas if she died in 1797? In the academic field, research and the development of academic papers involve constant use of various sources of information. However, with this access to an immense amount of resources, it is also essential that we are aware of how we use that information and the importance of citing correctly. Citation rules are not just a formal requirement; they help us recognize the work of other authors, avoid plagiarism, and build our ideas ethically. Sometimes the issue is even more tricky: we have run out of time and download one of the millions of papers available on the internet, or we ask ChatGPT to do the work for us without establishing any control, and then it turns out that the text is a copy of another. Dear friends, plagiarism can leave us without our university degree and it is not worth the risk. Getting a degree requires effort, and if we were not willing to make an effort, why did we enroll?

Why are citation rules important?

The ethical use of information is one of the fundamental pillars of the academic field. Failing to cite properly not only affects our credibility but also has serious academic consequences, such as the rejection of our work or penalties for plagiarism. By applying citation rules, we recognize the contributions of other authors, demonstrate the quality of our research, and protect our own work.

Main citation rules

Each academic discipline usually has its own citation rules. Although the most common ones are APA, MLA, and Chicago, there are many others used in specific contexts. It is crucial that we familiarize ourselves with the rules that correspond to our area of study. These rules regulate how we present sources, whether they are books, scientific articles, websites, or other resources. Let's briefly review some of them:

• APA (American Psychological Association): It is one of the most used in social and behavioral sciences. It includes the author's last name and the year of publication in the text, followed by the detailed reference list at the end.


• MLA (Modern Language Association): Common in humanities, MLA requires us to mention the author and the page number where the quote is found. The complete references are placed at the end of the document.


• Chicago: It is very versatile and has two citation styles. One, focused on humanities, uses footnotes; the other, aimed at social and natural sciences, is more similar to APA style.

General rules for correct citation

Regardless of the rules we are following, there are certain general principles that apply whenever we work with external sources:

1. Cite both direct quotes and paraphrases: We should not only cite when we reproduce word for word the content of an author, but also when we use our own words to express someone else's ideas.


2. Indicate the origin of data and graphics: When we use graphics, tables, or any data that we have not generated ourselves, it is essential to include the source to give the corresponding credit.


3. Use reference management tools: Tools like Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote can be great allies in organizing our references. They facilitate the tracking of the sources we have consulted and ensure that we cite correctly.

Avoiding plagiarism: Practical tips

One of the key objectives when following citation rules is to avoid plagiarism and allow others to consult our sources. Therefore, beyond citing, we need to be careful in other aspects of our academic work:

• Start with our own research: Using external sources is fine, but we must always be clear about what contributions we are making ourselves and which ones we are borrowing from others. At all times, we should try to start from our own reflections and then do a reverse search to see if someone has talked about this before.


• Review the work before submitting it: Before finalizing any academic work, it is essential that we review the citations and the reference list. Carelessness, such as forgetting a citation or citing incorrectly, can lead to unintentional plagiarism, and given that all submitted papers now go through a plagiarism detection program, taking risks is foolish.


• Maintain an organized record of sources: From the moment we start our research, it is crucial to have a clear list of all the sources consulted. This record will not only facilitate the citation process but also allow us to justify our claims and avoid overlooking any important references.

The importance of critical thinking in research

Finally, the correct use of citation rules is also linked to our development as researchers and professionals. Proper citation not only protects us from plagiarism but is also a sign that we are handling knowledge responsibly and rigorously. By evaluating and contrasting various sources, we put our critical thinking into practice, an extremely valuable skill that will accompany us throughout our lives.