Primary Sources

The purpose of any citation method is the same, namely,

• to give credit and appropriately attribute the work of others
• to assure readers about the accuracy of your facts
• to show readers the research that informs your work
• to help readers follow or extend your work (Turabian pp. 135-136).¹

It is important to provide complete information about your primary source whether found in a printed source or online. The basic elements to include in a citation for a published print source are: author of the document, title of the document, title of the book if different from the document, name of editor or author of the book, place of publication, publisher, year, and page numbers. The basic elements to include in a citation for an online source are: author of the document, title of the document, title of the website, author or producer of the website, url, date (if given) and date accessed. Various style formats such as Chicago, MLA and APA put these elements in different order using different conventions. See the websites below for further information and examples.

Style Guides

• APA
• Chicago
• MLA (see OWL)
• OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University
• Turabian

¹ Kate L. Turabian et al., A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, 8th edition., Chicago guides to writing, editing, and publishing (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2013), 135–136.

Adapted: RUSA http://www.ala.org/rusa/sections/history/resources/primarysources/using

Stop by the library to look at:

• MLA Handbook: Ref LB 2369.G53
• The Chicago Manual of Style: Ref Z253 .U69
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: Ref BF76.7 .P83 2010
• American Sociological Association Style Guide: Ref HM569 .A54 2019

Also see the library "How to Cite Sources" page for a guide for assembling your work cited in your paper.

Visit the Writing and Multiliteracy Center and take advantage of their services and citation resources.

Academic Dishonesty

• What is academic dishonesty?
• What happens if I get caught plagiarizing?
• Want to know more about the California State University, Channel Islands, policy on academic dishonesty?

The following is the California State University, Channel Islands policy on academic dishonesty found in the 2008-2009 Catalog:

Academic Dishonesty

1. Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating, inventing false information or citations, plagiarism and helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty. It usually involves an attempt by a student to show possession of a level of knowledge or skill that he/she does not possess.
2. Course instructors have the initial responsibility for detecting and dealing with academic dishonesty. Instructors who believe that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred are obligated to discuss the matter with the student(s) involved. Instructors should possess reasonable evidence of academic dishonesty. However, if circumstances prevent consultation with student(s), instructors may take whatever action (subject to student appeal) they deem appropriate.
3. Instructors who are convinced by the evidence that a student is guilty of academic dishonesty shall assign an appropriate academic penalty. If the instructors believe that the academic dishonesty reflects on the student’s academic performance or the academic integrity in a course, the student’s grade should be adversely affected. Suggested guidelines for appropriate actions are: an oral reprimand in cases where there is reasonable doubt that the student knew his/her action constituted academic dishonesty; a failing grade on the particular paper, project or examination where the act of dishonesty was unpremeditated, or where there were significant mitigating circumstances; a failing grade in the course where the dishonesty was premeditated or planned. The instructors will file incident reports with the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs and for Student Affairs or their designees. These reports shall include a description of the alleged incident of academic dishonesty, any relevant documentation, and any recommendations for action that he/she deems appropriate.
4. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall maintain an Academic Dishonesty File of all cases of academic dishonesty with the appropriate documentation.
5. Student may appeal any actions taken on charges of academic dishonesty to the “Academic Appeals Board.”
6. The Academic Appeals Board shall consist of faculty and at least one student.
7. Individuals may not participate as members of the Academic Appeals Board if they are participants in an appeal.
8. The decision of the Academic Appeals Board will be forwarded to the President of CSU Channel Islands, whose decision is final.

(SP02-01)