Library
Citing Sources
Overview | What is plagiarism | When to Cite | How to Cite | Tools | Department Preference
When you write a paper, you often join a conversation that has gone on for some time among scholars interested in your topic. When the time comes to make your own contribution to the discussion, it is important to let your readers know that you are familiar with the conversation and give credit to those whose ideas have shaped your own. To signal your familiarity and to identify and acknowledge others' contributions to your ideas, you need to cite your sources accurately and completely.
Citing sources allows you to:
- Participate in a community of scholars
- Enable others to build on or verify your research
- Show your familiarity with other scholars' ideas on a subject
- Give credit to others for their work
- Differentiate between which ideas are yours and which come from others
- Develop within yourself academic and personal integrity
- Avoid the serious academic and personal consequences of plagiarizing
Overview of Academic Honesty, Citation, and Plagiarism:
- Sources and Citation at Dartmouth College - Discusses collaboration, common knowledge, citing while you write, images and audio.
- Duke University Libraries- Citing sources and Avoiding Plagiarism
- Academic Honesty: Scholarly Integrity, Collaboration, and the Ethical Use of Sources pamphlet (PDF) - From Grinnell. Includes FAQ and exercise on proper use of others' work.
- Rules for Writers, Diana Hacker (print) - A handbook offering guidance on writing from sources and citing them correctly. Consult, for example, the sections on 'Academic Writing' and 'Research'.
- Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Plagiarism Resources site
What is plagiarism?
"Plagiarism is possible with any work performed in any medium and in any scholarly discipline. Plagiarism involves the intentional or unintentional use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment in all such scholarly work as essays, examinations, oral/written reports, homework assignments, laboratory reports, computer programs, music scores, choreography, graphic depictions, and visual presentations.
Plagiarism also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in selling of term papers or other academic materials." (Bowdoin Academic Honor Code)
The inadequate citation of sources is considered academic dishonesty and violates Bowdoin's Academic Honor Code. For information on the resolution of suspected cases of academic dishonesty see the Judicial Board's annual report.
When to cite-- Examples and self-tests:
- Case studies from York University
- How to Recognize Plagiarism from Indiana University
- CBB Plagiarism Resource site - Examples and Self Test
How to Cite:
- Bowdoin Quick Guides for your basic questions -- APA, MLA, Chicago, and CSE.
- Research and Documentation Online, Diana Hacker (select “documenting sources”) -- A great variety of examples covering APA, MLA, Chicago and CSE.
- Duke University Libraries- Citing sources -- Includes the above styles, plus Turabian.
- Additional guides to citation styles -- covers Bowdoin Library's print citation resources as well as online sites.
Citation Tools:
- Endnote - a citation management software that allows you to maintain a "personal library" of references and citations. It can also import citation information from the Library's Catalog, online indexes, and databases.
Department Preference:
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Anthropology |
Students should consult with their professor. |
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Art |
The Chicago manual of style. 15th ed. 2003. [electronic book] The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. 2003. [catalog record] |
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Biology |
Students should consult with their professor. |
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Chemistry |
The ACS Style Guide. 3rd ed., 2006, [Catalog record]. Students should consult with their professor about specific conventions and Endnote style. |
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Classics |
Students should consult with their professor about specific conventions and Endnote style. |
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Computer Science |
Students should consult with their professor. |
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Economics |
Students should consult with their professor. |
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Education |
Students should consult with their professor. |
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed., 2009. [catalog record] |
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed., 2009. [catalog record] Chicago Manual of Style,15th ed. [electronic resource] The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. 2003.[catalog record] |
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GWS is an interdisciplinary program and individual faculty teaching in the program may have different preferences. Students should consult with their professor. |
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Use the Bulletin of the Geological Society of America as a guide. |
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed., 2009. [catalog record] |
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Students should consult with their professor. |
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Note: students should choose the endnote or footnote style - not the parenthetical style. Chicago Quick Guide [web] If your question is basic, this is the place to go. Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed. 2003Bowdoin online subscription. [Turabian] A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations. [catalog record] |
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Format varies with the discipline (History, Economics, Spanish, etc.). Students should consult with their professor. |
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American Mathematical Society. The AMS Author Handbook: General Instructions for Preparing Manuscripts. (full text online; takes a while to load) 2008. |
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Students should consult with their professor. |
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Quick guide AIP Style American Institute of Physics. AIP Style Manual. 4th ed., 1990. [Catalog record] |
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Philosophy |
No preference as long as students use one style consistently, correctly and importantly, include all the necessary and relevant information such that a reader can locate the exact place where |
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Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed., 2010 [Catalog record] |
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Students should consult with their professor. |
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Students should consult with their professor. |
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MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed., 2009. [catalog record] |