Why do we cite our sources?
- To give credit to the author(s) of the original ideas or works that we use in our research.
- To make it easy for anyone reading our work to find the sources that we have used.
Academic citation styles
The following are online resources for major academic styles. Copies of the major official style manuals are at the Research Help Desk and help is also available at the Writing Services.
Remember: Always ask your instructor which citation style and edition of the relevant style guide to use.
APA (American Psychological Assocation)
- Carleton University guide to APA citation style
- Citing archival sources: Marquette University
- Citing government documents (including legislation): Simon Fraser University
- Citing international governmental organization documents: University of British Columbia
- Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
- Instructional videos
Chicago
- Carleton University guide to Chicago citation style
- Carleton University tip sheet for citing primary sources in Chicago citation style
- Citing Canadian government documents using Chicago Style (Simon Fraser University)
- Chicago Manual of Style (ebook)
Other Chicago style guides
- Harvard Business School guide for citing business sources
- Instructional videos
- Purdue University citing archival documents
- Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
CSE (Council of Science Editors)
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
MLA (Modern Languages Association)
- Carleton University guide to MLA citation style
- Instructional videos
- Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Uniform Legal Style (McGill)
Departmental style guides
Some departments at Carleton have their own style guides, which are usually based on another common style (e.g., APA or MLA). Check with your professors to find out if you must use a departmental style.
Professional association style guides
Citing data, statistics, maps and government information
Guides in French
- University of Ottawa (uOttawa): les styles de présentation des références (APA, auteur-date, méthode traditionnelle)
Other resources
- The Columbia Guide to Online Style (print book)
- Electronic Style; a Guide to Citing Electronic Information (print book)
Academic integrity
The Carleton University Academic Integrity policy defines academic integrity as follows:
"Sound scholarship rests on a commitment to a code of academic integrity that stresses principles of honesty, trust, respect, fairness and responsibility. The university demands integrity of scholarship from all of its members including students. The quality and integrity of academic work is paramount in achieving student success."
You must properly acknowledge your sources of information by citing them. If you do not cite your sources, you may be accused of violating academic integrity. Examples of actions that violate academic integrity include plagiarism and cheating.
Test your knowledge: Take the academic integrity quiz and check your answers.
Want to read more or watch a video?
- The plagiarism handbook: strategies for preventing, detecting, and dealing with plagiarism (print book)
- Instructional videos