Citing and attributing others’ work is essential to good research. It shows academic integrity and helps others trace your sources.
On this page:
- Why citation and attribution are important
- How attribution supports the FAIR principles
- When you must cite or attribute
- How to cite or attribute
- Reference styles at Cambridge
- Using reference management tools
- Further help and support
Why citation and attribution are important
Citation and attribution help:
- give credit to original authors
- show the evidence behind your work
- support academic integrity
- others follow up on your sources
Failing to cite or attribute properly may count as plagiarism. This can damage your reputation and have serious consequences.
How attribution supports the FAIR principles
The FAIR principles help ensure that research outputs are:
- Findable
- Accessible
- Interoperable
- Reusable
By following good attribution practices, you support open research and make your own work more visible and reusable.
When you must cite or attribute
You must cite or attribute when you:
- refer to someone else’s ideas, words or data
- quote, summarise or paraphrase published work
- include tables, images, figures or other media you did not create
You do not need to cite information that is widely known or accepted as common knowledge. But when in doubt, cite.
You should also cite or attribute:
- published and unpublished work
- traditional and non-traditional sources (such as blog posts, preprints, datasets and software)
- content shared online or under open licences (such as Creative Commons)
How to cite or attribute
To attribute properly, include:
- the creator’s name
- the title of the work
- the source or link
- the licence (for example, Creative Commons BY 4.0)
Follow the terms of any licence. Some licences ask you to include a specific statement or link.
Reference styles at Cambridge
There is no single reference style used or required at Cambridge. Styles vary by subject and faculty.
Cambridge Libraries list the reference styles used by different faculties and departments.
Using reference management tools
Reference management tools help you:
- collect and organise your sources
- insert citations into your writing
- format bibliographies automatically
- switch between citation styles if needed
Common tools at Cambridge include:
- Zotero – free, open-source, and works well with Microsoft Word and Google Docs
- Mendeley – free, with features for sharing and collaboration
- EndNote – available through some university departments and libraries
- LaTeX with BibTeX or BibLaTeX – widely used in STEM subjects
These tools let you:
- store references in folders or libraries
- tag and search saved items
- export and import references from iDiscover, Scopus and other databases
Visit the reference management tools guide for help choosing and using a tool.
Authorship
Authorship provides credit for an individual’s contributions to a study and carries accountability. There are no universally accepted standards for assigning authorship, and principles, customs and practices differ significantly from one discipline to another. For more information on authorship at Cambridge, please visit the Guidelines on authorship from Research integrity.
Further help and support
If you need referencing advice, please contact the Open Access team or your subject librarian.