There are many reasons why we need to cite the sources in our research:
To give credit to the original author or creator of the information: Citing sources gives credit to the original author or creator of the information that is being used in the paper. It acknowledges their contribution to the field and shows respect for their work.
To avoid plagiarism: Citing sources helps to avoid plagiarism, which is the act of using someone else's work without giving them proper credit. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can result in failing a class or even expulsion from school.
To provide evidence and support for arguments: Citing sources provides evidence and support for the arguments being made in the paper. It demonstrates that the author has done research and has used credible sources to back up their claims.
To allow readers to verify information: Citing sources allows readers to verify the information presented in the paper. They can follow the citations to find the original sources and evaluate the credibility of the information.
To show the scope of research: Citing sources shows the scope of research that has been conducted for the paper. It demonstrates that the author has read widely and has used a variety of sources to support their arguments.
Source: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/documents/20200617ShouldICiteChart.jpg