Giving credit where it's due

It's very important to give credit where it's due...in the real world and in class. When writing a paper, of course we can come up with ideas of our own. When writing about something factual, however, there is usually already research that has been done on the topic somewhere, whether in a book at the library or online. It is only fair to cite sources properly and acknowledge the person or people that gave you more information for your topic you are writing about. Taking the ideas or information and passing them along as your own will get you nowhere and give you nothing but trouble. I would feel so vulnerable and betrayed if my ideas were stolen and passed off as someone else's! To be seen as professionals we must act like them, and that means no stealing, ideas or anything else!!