Citations

Citation Generators

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Resources at PC Library

Picture of pen and pencilThis guide will help you:                                                               

  1. Understand plagiarism

     2. Learn to recognize and avoid plagiarism

        3. Cite your sources in APA, CSE, Chicago, and MLA styles

Properly documenting research sources is important because it ensures that:

Credit for information originally provided elsewhere is given

Others can find the same information again

Plagiarism does not take place

What is Plagiarism?

The PC Student Handbook defines plagiarism as:

The use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment.

How to Avoid Plagiarizing

created by Bainbridge College

ChatGPT and Fake Citations

Before citing AI-generated content, such as ChatGPT, check with your instructor if this is permitted in their class.  

WARNING:  ChatGPT has significant limitations when it comes to citing real sources.

When ChatGPT is asked for sources without being given specific citation information, it will create plausible-looking citations for sources that don't exist.  ChatGPT is so good at recognizing language patterns that it can make up sources that sound scholarly and legitimate but are fabricated. Some folks refer to this as a "hallucination."  

Never assume that ChatGPT sources are real.  You can try tracking down the original source, but after a while, you'll quickly realize it isn't worth the effort because the sources are FAKE! Use PC Library's resources, such as One Search or Databases by Subject, for real research sources.

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