"The purpose of a research paper is to synthesize previous research and scholarship with your ideas on the subject. Therefore, you should feel free to use other persons' words, facts, and thoughts in your research paper, but the material you borrow must not be presented as if it were your own creation."
(Quote: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th Edition. New York: MLA. 55.)
Whenever you research a topic, you need to give credit to the sources of information that you use. This is known as citation.
There are different citation styles, so be sure to use the style that is appropriate for your course. MLA style is typically seen in Liberal Arts courses. APA style is favored in Business and Professional Studies, STEM, and Health Sciences. If you are unsure about which style you should use, check the syllabus or ask your instructor. And once you have determined the style, be as consistent as possible in applying it. The consequences of not giving credit can lead to accusations of plagiarism.
Here are several free citation tools available to help you craft your citations.
This guide is adapted from the following citation guides.