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NURS 19469 - Fundamentals of Practical Nursing: Citations

About Citation

A citation is a reference to the source of an idea or piece of information. Your citation should allow anyone who sees your reference list to be able to find the original source (book, article, video, etc) you used in your research. Typically, citations include information such as author, date, title, source. Whenever you get information from a source, quote it, or base your ideas on another person's work, you must cite the source in an accepted citation style. 

Why Cite?

  • To give credit to the author or creator whose ideas/concepts you are using
  • To show where you found your information, and prove you used credible sources
  • To add credibility and support to your own argument
  • To respect creators’ moral rights within the Canadian Copyright Act.

Tips to Avoid Plagiarism

The best way to avoid plagiarism is to understand what it is so that you are not accidentally committing it. Even students with the best of intentions can get stuck in a situation that could possibly lead to plagiarism. Here are some tips to help avoid being caught in a situation that could lead to plagiarism:

  • Start assignments early and read them thoroughly so that you understand the requirements 
  • Work on your time management skills to avoid running out of time to cite properly
  • Take careful notes and include reference information for each source you access
  • Learn to cite properly or ask a citation specialist if you need help
  • Use Turnitin before handing in your assignments
  • Get help with paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting at Tutoring
  • Contact the Academic Integrity Office if you have any questions on plagiarism

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