Citation refers to the process of giving credit or acknowledging the sources of information used in academic or research work. It is a way of providing references to the original works that have been consulted or cited in a document, such as a research paper, essay, or article. The purpose of citation is to:

Give Credit: Citation acknowledges the intellectual property and contributions of others. It demonstrates that you have conducted thorough research and have built upon existing knowledge.

Enable Verification: Readers can verify the information and ideas presented in your work by referring to the cited sources. This adds credibility to your writing.

Avoid Plagiarism: Proper citation helps to avoid plagiarism, which is the act of presenting someone else's work, ideas, or intellectual property as your own. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense.

There are different citation styles, and the choice of a particular style depends on the academic discipline or the preferences of a particular publication.

Common citation styles include APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), Chicago/Turabian, and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), among others.

In-text citations within the body of the document and a corresponding list of references or bibliography at the end of the document are typical components of a citation. The specific format and details of citation (such as author names, publication dates, titles, etc.) vary according to the chosen citation style. It's important for researchers and students to adhere to the citation guidelines specified by their instructors, academic institutions, or publishers.

Here are examples of citations in three common citation styles: APA, MLA, Chicago and IEEE.

Each example includes both in-text citation and a corresponding entry in the reference list or bibliography.

APA (American Psychological Association) Style:

In-text citation: (Johnson, 2018)                                                               

Reference List entry: Johnson, A. (2018). The Art of Scientific Writing. Publisher.

MLA (Modern Language Association) Style:

In-text citation: (Johnson 45)                                                                     

Works Cited entry: Johnson, Alice. The Art of Scientific Writing. Publisher, 2018.

Chicago/Turabian Style:

In-text citation: (Johnson 2018, 45)                                                         

Bibliography entry: Johnson, Alice. The Art of Scientific Writing. Publisher, 2018.

IEEE Citation Style:

In-text citation: [1]                                                                             

Bibliography entry: [1] A. Johnson, The Art of Scientific Writing, 2nd ed. Publisher, City, Country, Year.

Please note that these are basic examples, and the specific details may vary depending on factors such as the number of authors, type of source (book, journal article, website, etc.), and other considerations. Always refer to the official style guide for the most accurate and detailed information based on the type of source you are citing.