Why do we cite?
When a scholar or researcher writes a research-based paper, new knowledge is created. The credibility of the new knowledge depends on the credibility of the sources that author uses. When we write research-based papers, we show our sources because it gives greater authority to our conclusions. It also helps us avoid committing plagiarism.
Why are there different styles?
In addition to APA, there are other styles: MLA, Chicago, Harvard, AMA, etc. Why so many? Each style is ideal for a different type of scholarship. The Chicago style, for example, is perfect for historians because of the way it handles footnotes. The AMA style, on the other hand, is better suited to medical research. This guide covers the APA style, which is popular in the social sciences.
