Final answer:
A citation is a way to reference another person’s work that you have used in your own writing. This reference, which can be an internal citation within the text or an external citation in a bibliography or reference list, provides option c. necessary details for locating the source and credits the original author.
Step-by-step explanation:
A citation is a reference used in writing to acknowledge the use of someone else’s words or ideas. This acknowledgment not only provides credit to the original author but also strengthens the credibility of the researcher's own work. There are two parts to a citation: internal citations, which are brief references within the text leading readers to more detailed information, and external citations, which are the full entries listed on a bibliography or reference page with complete publishing information.
When integrating research into writing, it is important to use proper citation to avoid plagiarism. This can involve quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing the source material. In all cases, maintaining accurate and thorough research notes is essential for proper citation. Different academic disciplines often require specific citation styles, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago, which dictate the format of citations and reference lists. Always provide formatted information about the original source when quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing to keep your work ethical and authoritative.
Bibliographies or reference lists at the end of a work contain citations for all the sources used, such as journal articles, books, and websites, providing the necessary information for others to locate the same resources.