What should you do if you want to use someone else's work in your report?

When using someone else's work in your report, the most appropriate action is to always cite the source. This practice is essential for acknowledging the original creator and providing credit for their ideas, research, or contributions. Proper citation not only helps to uphold academic integrity but also allows readers to locate the original source for further study. Citing sources helps avoid plagiarism, which is the unethical practice of presenting someone else's work as your own.

While rewording completely might seem like a way to use someone's ideas, it still requires a citation because the underlying concept or research belongs to another person. Using work without changes is improper because it fails to give credit to the original author and could be deemed plagiarism. Relying solely on the author’s permission is not a comprehensive approach, as many academic and professional guidelines necessitate proper citation regardless of whether permission has been granted. Thus, citing the source is the most responsible and ethically sound approach when incorporating someone else's work into your report.