EESC 398 - Technical Communications

Citations, otherwise known as references, are a means of giving credit to the authors and/or organizations that you paraphrase or make reference to in your writing. This helps to provide transparency for your reader so that they know where you got your ideas from and to ensure that you are complying with academic integrity. 

Any time you use someone else's words or ideas, you must cite them. 

The most common elements used in citations are:

• Who: who is the author(s) or creator(s)
• What: what is the name of the source
• Where: where was the source published
• When: when was the source published

Summon

If you find a resource in Summon - use the " cite icon to generate a preliminary citation in the style of your choosing. 

Databases

Most databases need to interface with a citation management software to generate a citation for you. You can export your chosen resources from a database into your chosen citation management software to generate a preliminary citation.

Some databases have a cite function built in to generate a preliminary citation immediately for you. 

Google and Google Scholar

If you're using a website, you'll need to manually draft your citation for it or use a citation management software that has a browser extension to generate a preliminary citation. 

In Google Scholar, there is a " cite icon below each record that you can use to create a preliminary citation. 

All citations generated through automated functions need to be verified against the citation style manuals or online guides. These systems routinely make errors because they can't accurately confirm all the pieces of information needed for a citation.

It is your job to always verify your citations!

UBC maintains another LibGuide that discusses the three citation management tools available to you: 

• Zotero
• Mendeley
• EndNote (Online)

This guide also discusses how each of the citation managers can be used in Word to cite as you write. 

Citation styles also set out expectations for how to configure figures and tables in your writing or presentations. 

EXAMPLE:

APA Style documents how to build Tables and Figures - including how to create one, sample ones for reference, and guidelines around accessibility (colours, fonts, etc.).  

They walk you through each element of your table or figure - including the number, title, headings, body, and notes.