A citation (or reference) is a short, multi-part description of a source. A good citation will lead the reader to the source of the writer's information.
One must cite ideas and direct and indirect quotations from other sources. Citations identify the sources that you consulted—signposts for your readers. Proper citation allows your readers to distinguish between your work and the work of others on which you drew, a critical element in maintaining integrity in research.
Citations usually must conform to a specific, uniform style. Researchers within a specific discipline frequently share a common style.
The Chicago Manual of Style is one of the most heavily used styles and is available online at the University Libraries.
The Libraries also provide online interpretations of the major styles at Citing Your Sources. These are not the original sources themselves, but interpretations of the major styles, with examples.
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The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. by 