Citations are a necessary component of a research paper. Scenarios that need a citation:
You do NOT need to cite:
Look for a "Cite" button in library databases or Library Search. You can also export citations to a citation manager like Refworks or Zotero.
Citation generators are a time saver, but they are not always correct. If you use them, be sure to check for errors.
Check that the following match the citation style you are using:
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is an alphanumeric string that provides a persistent link to content online. It is good practice to try to include a DOI for every citation accessed electronically. APA, MLA, and Chicago Style all recommend including the DOI in your citation.