How to Cite in Scientific Writing
Scientific papers build on the work of other scientists. To recognize the source of a fact you are using to draw the conclusion in your paper, and to acknowledge a quotation, you cite the paper. This means scientific papers have to cite other scientific papers. Different publications have slightly different requirements, but generally they make it possible for reviewers to find the source of the fact and verify it. Citations are also used to show which papers are most frequently used by other scientists.
Instructions
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Identify the original publication of the paper you wish to cite.
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Insert the appropriate citation mark after the fact for which you are citing the paper. When citing a statement, insert it in quotation marks. Some publications use numbered citations within the paper, others use references. If you have many citations, using numbers makes the text easier to read.
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Insert the citation in the reference list. First insert the citation mark, then the source information.
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Format the source information by giving the names of the authors, the name of the paper, and the publication. Many publications require that the names be given as initials plus surname, and the publication should reference the volume, issue, and ISSN or other publication number. For citations from the Web, include the date when the reference was retrieved.
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Tips & Warnings
An example of a citation will look as follows in the reference list: [1]. J. Hjelm: How to cite in scientific writing. In eHow, (and then the URI). Retrieved July 1, 2011.
Make sure to acknowledge any major facts you use by citing them.
Citing the work of others does not allow you to plagiarize the text. You still have to do original work.
References
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