What must authors do with all previously published work used to support their claims?

Citing previously published work is essential for authors because it allows them to give appropriate credit to the original creators of the information, findings, or ideas that support their claims. Proper citation not only strengthens the credibility of their own work by demonstrating that it is grounded in established research, but also upholds the ethical standards of academic writing. By citing sources, authors acknowledge the contributions of others to their own research, thus fostering a culture of respect and collaboration within the academic and publishing communities. This practice also enables readers to trace the origins of the information, evaluate the context of the cited work, and explore the topic further, enhancing the overall scholarly dialogue.

Other approaches such as paraphrasing or summarizing do not replace the need for citation; they simply rephrase the work and still necessitate attributing the original source. Ignoring previously published work undermines the integrity of the research and can lead to issues of plagiarism, making it crucial for authors to consistently cite any relevant previously published materials.