The term that describes a reference to the author and source of specific information in your research is "citation."
Here's why:
1. **Definition of Citation**: A citation is a formal reference to a source of information used in your research or work. It includes details like the author's name, the title of the work, publication date, and other identifying information.
2. **Importance of Citations**: Citations are crucial in academic and research settings because they give credit to the original authors, provide a way for readers to locate the sources used, and show the depth of your research.
3. **Examples**: In academic papers, essays, or articles, you will typically find citations within the text (in-text citations) and in a bibliography or reference list at the end of the document. For example, "According to Smith (2010)...", or "In the study by Johnson et al. (2015)...".
In conclusion, when you provide a citation in your research, you are acknowledging the original source of information and giving credibility to your work.
