| Authority |
We use other people's research and work to support our own assertions and give credibility to what we are saying. Referencing is very closely related to the need in academic work to provide evidence for any assertions. |
| Collegiality and Politeness |
Academic knowledge is a collaborative project of individuals. It is important to acknowledge the individual efforts and contributions to the research of all participants |
| Traceability |
When academics develop a theory or idea, they build on other people's work and they acknowledge this by referencing. A reference means it is possible to check if an author has used other researcher's work correctly. |
| Vailidity |
Referencing is essential when defining key terms such as market segmentation, schizophrenia or post-modern etc. One needs to demonstrate that a recognized definition is being used. This in generally not the Wikipedia definition, but there may be a good reference to a source found there. |
| Breadth of Research |
The references in a paper or thesis show the reader what has been read and will influence the reader's impression of the author. |
| Scholarship |
Through referencing, an author shows what has been read and demonstrates that the issue under discussion has been thoroughly researched. |
| Protection against accusations of plagiarism |
With proper citation, others cannot say that the author took others' work without proper acknwoledgment. |
| Weber-Wullf, Debra |
Eight Reasons for referencing materials in False Feathers Table 5.1 p.126
Berlin: Springer 2014
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Research Guides@Tufts