Citable sources
For sources to be considered citable in academic work, they must meet the following criteria:
- They were written by authors who themselves work scientifically.
- They are up to date – this does not mean “new”, but “relevant today”.
- They are relevant to the topic.
In relevant and discipline-specific reference works, the state of research is usually well summarized, and the most important literature is listed. You can use these for further research, e.g., in library catalogs.
Follow the library’s tips in the article Effective research: Tips and tools for getting started.
Research on the internet
Sometimes online searches provide the first access to a topic. However, a simple Google search does not replace systematic research for suitable academic literature.
Wikipedia is not considered a citable source in the Faculty of SW or in other faculties, because the authors’ identity is not transparent and the content is not systematically reviewed.
Newspaper reports are also generally not citable, unless they are the only available source. If you want to, e.g., address public discourse about the “No-Pegida” demonstrations in Nuremberg, or quote from a Spiegel interview with Angela Merkel, use the respective magazine or newspaper as the source.
Other academic papers
Academic papers as well as bachelor’s and master’s theses are usually not citable, because you normally cannot verify whether the authors follow academic standards.
If you want to use such a paper in an exceptional case, check whether it is an excellent academic work that is publicly accessible. Of course, some information from student papers can serve as a basis for your further research, such as e.g., references.
Frequently asked questions
Which sources are citable?
Citable sources are those that are permanently and publicly accessible, written by authors who themselves work scientifically, up to date, and relevant to your topic. Specialized and discipline-specific reference works are particularly suitable.
Are there tips for selecting the right sources for my paper?
Always look for the best source! Track down the origin of the knowledge and quote from original texts whenever possible. Independent research for suitable academic literature is, among others, a criterion for evaluating your work.
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This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in March 2025.