Welcome to Documenting Sources!

In your Individuals and Societies (I&S) journey, you are like a detective. You investigate the world, look for clues, and present your findings. But every good detective needs to show where they got their information! This is called documenting sources.

In this chapter, we will learn how to give credit to others for their work and ideas. This is a key part of Criterion C: Communicating. By the time you finish this page, you’ll know how to turn a pile of notes into a professional, honest piece of research.

Why Do We Document Sources?

Documenting your sources isn't just a rule; it’s a way of being an honest learner. In the IB, we value academic integrity. This means being truthful about which ideas are yours and which ones you borrowed from someone else.

There are three main reasons to document your sources:

  • To give credit: Authors, scientists, and historians work hard. We must acknowledge their effort.
  • To provide evidence: Your arguments are much stronger when you can show they are based on reliable information.
  • To help your reader: If someone finds your work interesting, they might want to read your sources to learn more.

Key Takeaway: Documenting sources proves you are a responsible researcher and makes your work more believable.

Citations vs. Reference Lists: What’s the Difference?

When we talk about documenting sources, we are usually talking about two different things working together. Think of it like a movie: the citation is the name that pops up on the screen, and the reference list is the full list of credits at the very end.

1. In-text Citations

These are "mini-shout-outs" that you put inside your paragraphs right after you mention a fact or an idea from a source. They are short and don't distract the reader.

Example: Many cities are growing faster than ever before (Smith, 2023).

2. The Reference List (or Bibliography)

This is a complete list of every source you used, placed on a separate page at the end of your assignment. It gives the full details so someone else could find the exact same book or website.

Quick Tip: If you cite it in your text, it must be in your reference list. If it’s in your reference list, it must be cited somewhere in your text!

Using a "Recognized Convention"

The IB framework says you must use a recognized convention. This is just a fancy way of saying "use a standard style." Your school might choose a specific style for you to use, such as:

  • APA (Common in Psychology and Geography)
  • MLA (Common in Humanities)
  • Harvard (Used by many universities)

The IB doesn't mind which one you use, as long as you use it consistently. This means if you start with one style, you must use it for every single source in your project.

Did you know? Even if you paraphrase (write someone else's idea in your own words), you still have to document the source! You only skip documentation for "common knowledge," like the fact that the earth is round.

Step-by-Step: How to Document a Source

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first. Just follow these steps whenever you find a piece of information you want to use:

Step 1: Collect the "Ingredients"
Whenever you find a source during your investigation (Criterion B), write down these details immediately:

  • Who wrote it? (Author or Organization)
  • When was it written? (Year of publication)
  • What is it called? (Title of the article or book)
  • Where can I find it? (URL for websites or the name of the Publisher)

Step 2: Use your school's format
Arrange those ingredients in the order your chosen style requires. For example, most styles start with the Author's last name.

Step 3: Organize alphabetically
Your reference list at the end of your project should always be in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. This makes it easy for your teacher to navigate.

Key Takeaway: Good documentation starts during the research phase, not at the end. Write down your source details as you go!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To get a high score in Criterion C, watch out for these "traps":

  • The "URL-only" list: Just pasting a list of web links at the end of your essay is not a recognized convention. You need authors and titles!
  • Forgetting the date: If a website doesn't have a date, look for a copyright symbol \( \copyright \) or use "n.d." (which stands for "no date").
  • Mixing styles: Don't use APA for one source and MLA for another. Stay consistent!
  • Missing the in-text citation: Having a great list at the end is good, but you must also show where in your writing you used those sources.

Summary Checklist

Before you turn in your Individuals and Societies work, ask yourself:

[ ] Did I give credit for every idea that isn't my own?
[ ] Is every source in my reference list also cited in my text?
[ ] Is my reference list in alphabetical order?
[ ] Did I use the same style (convention) for every source?

Note: For more information on how to find these sources in the first place, check out the chapter on "Research methods: collecting and recording information."