Citing sources

From Science Online

Why cite?

Citing information resources is one of the most critical parts of writing about science. Scientists cite one another in order to make arguments for and against different positions. In Science Online, we also cite sources to make it clear to readers where the information came from and where to go if they want to double check the information they find on the site.

When to cite?

Here are some basic guidelines for citing other people's work (Based on guidelines at (Dartmouth)):

1. Always cite sources for all verbatim quotations of two or more consecutive words.
   If you are using someone else's words, of course you need to give them credit!
2. Cite sources from which you paraphrase or summarize facts or ideas.
   If you find a great idea someplace, cite the person who came up with it even if you say it in your own words. You might want to add your own ideas, and it makes your writing stronger if you can show how what you think is connected to what someone else thinks.
3. Cite sources for ideas or information that might be common knowledge but that you think your reader might not know about.
   This helps your reader when they want to find out more information about a topic. Once you research a science topic, you know more about it than most people, and if they are interested in learning more, it will help them to see where you got your information.
4. Remember that you can cite any source of information.
   That includes books, journals, magazines, news articles, webpages, documentaries and TV shows, maps, data sets, even conversations and emails!

How to cite a source in an article

1. At the top of every edit page, there is a button for inserting a reference to another resource:
   
    
2. When you are at a place where you would like the in-text citation to appear, click on the button. A form will pop up in which you can enter the reference information:
   
    
3. Enter a new resource using the form. (If someone already entered the resource, the author name or title should appear automatically as you start to type it in. Then all you have to do is select it.)
    
4. Click the "submit" button.
    
5. In your text, a reference tag like this one will appear:

   <ref>(Hawking&1996 79)</ref>

6. Save your work. When you do, a list of references will appear at the end of your article. If it does not appear right away, click on the "refresh references" button at the top right corner of the page.

References