The conclusions of a research paper must be supported by its documentation.

• A footnote or an endnote must inform the reader that you, the writer, took the information or opinion from a credible source.
• The notes must be specific enough to enable readers to locate the sources that you used, so copy down all of the relevant information about a source in your notes. See How to Take Notes from Your Sources, Example of a Note Taken from Your Sources, and Sample Note Card.
• To determine when you need to use a footnote or an endnote, see What Kinds of Evidence Needs to Be Footnoted or Endnoted?
• A good rule to follow is that whenever you say something in your paper that is important for supporting your theme, you should signify that importance by including a footnote or an endnote.