Citations, in the research world, have nothing to do with traffic tickets. Instead, citations identify published information in order to locate that item again. Citations of articles often include:
The list of the sources you used when researching your paper is
called a bibliography. These sources are listed in citation format and follow
an established style, such as MLA (Modern Language Association), APA
(American Psychological Association) or Chicago Manual of Style. The
bibliography allows others who read your work to verify facts or research the
same information more easily.