Citing sources is an essential part of Engineering research. Citations give credit to the original authors of the work you use, allow others to verify your sources, and help maintain academic integrity. Whether you are quoting directly, paraphrasing, or building on an idea, proper citation ensures your work is ethical and credible.
Why Citation Matters In Engineering, research often builds on previous designs, methods, and data. A clear and consistent citation trail not only acknowledges prior contributions but also strengthens your argument by showing you have engaged with established research. In some cases, such as patents, standards, or technical reports, citations also help preserve legal clarity around intellectual property and technical precedence.
Guidance from Your Librarians
The librarians at Lehigh University have created the Citation Guides and Style Manuals LibraryGuide, linked below, to provide general and subject-specific guidance. This guide includes sections on steps and tools for citing, how to cite generative AI or data sources, information about specific styles, and a link to the LibraryGuide on Zotero and Zoterobib. If you need help, please contact the Engineering Librarian.
Organizing Your References
The first step to citing your sources is to maintain an organized list of references. For more in-depth projects, use a citation management tool, like Zotero, to stay organized. The Libraries have put together a LibraryGuide on Zotero and a simpler product, zoterobib, linked below, to help you stay organized and cite your sources appropriately.
Consistently Use a Citation Style
Students should ask their professors which citation style to use for an assignment. If the professor does not clarify or says you can use whichever citation style you want, just be sure to use the citation style you select consistently. Researchers should consult the publisher for citation styles for articles.
Pro tip: Using Zotero plug-ins for Word or Google Docs will allow you to easily switch between citation styles.
Common Citation Styles
Common citation styles in engineering include IEEE (Electrical & Computer Engineering), ASME (Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics), ASCE (Civil & Environmental Engineering), and ACS (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering). See more information about these styles on the "Engineering and Applied Sciences" and "Sciences" tabs of the Citation Guides and Style Manuals LibraryGuide, linked above. Remember, you should always confirm the required citation style before you start writing.