What can result from failing to cite sources in academic writing?

Failing to cite sources in academic writing can lead to plagiarism, which is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or intellectual property without proper attribution. This is a serious ethical breach in academia and can undermine the integrity of the work being presented. When a writer does not acknowledge the sources that contributed to their research or argumentation, it gives the impression that the ideas are original to the writer, which is misleading. Plagiarism can result in academic penalties, damage to one's reputation, and loss of credibility in both academic and professional fields.

While misinterpretation of data, confusion of ideas, and an underdeveloped thesis could also stem from other writing issues, they are not direct consequences of failing to provide citations. These aspects may arise from poor argumentation, lack of clarity, or insufficient development of ideas, but they do not specifically address the ethical implications associated with using uncited information. In contrast, plagiarism is unequivocally tied to the act of neglecting to cite sources properly.