When to use documentation

- Whether your report is based on secondary or…primary research, documentation is necessary.…Not documenting results in plagiarism,…which is a serious offense.…From politicians to girl scout leaders to…news reporters, plagiarism accusations make the news.…Writers and speakers can quickly lose…their credibility when they have plagiarized.…Once someone's plagiarism has been…revealed, anything that person says or…writes in the future is questioned.…

Using the words or ideas of others is…acceptable if credit is given to that source.…Not giving credit is stealing,…in this case stealing words or ideas,…but can do as much damage as stealing…someone's tangible property.…So why is documentation so important?…For three main reasons:…First, you are being ethical and…protecting yourself by crediting the…originator of the information.…You are also adding credibility to your…analysis by showing what others have found.…

Additionally, you're giving your reader a…place to continue researching the topic or…the opportunity to read the entire source.…