We want to keep a record of the information we have found and where we found it step by step. We do this to eliminate the need to duplicate the same steps again by ourselves or others. We do it to provide evidence for the conclusions we draw from the data we find and analyze. This process can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. The point is you should make it simple and not overlook this step.
There are many articles available on sources and citations. You can Google your head off on this. One of the problems is semantics when trying to sort out what they all mean. Often words like records, information, documentation and sources, citation, and sourcing are used interchangeably. The following is a video created by familysearch.org that talks a little about sources and citations.
For reasons I do not understand they refer to sources as records and citations as sourcing. It only adds to the confusion for budding genealogists. Just watch the video for general content.
The word "Record" is used for source which is defined in another document by family search as: " an item such as an historical record, picture, journal, Bible, or other object that contains evidence that records an event of interest. A source can be published or unpublished." "Sourcing" is the word they use in the video which is actually citating. Citation is defined by Family Search as the reference to a source." My source citation for this quote is found @ familysearch.org, Sources in Family Tree, A Family Search White Paper written 29 June 2012. Find it here. https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/sources-in-family-tree-a-family-search-whitepaper-pdf/618
This is the video 5 Minute Genealogy #24.
A lot of people enter their sources right into their family history software package when they update their individual entries, family tree and/or family group sheets in their personal files. This is of course an excellent idea. However, where do you record that information when you are actually researching? There are many ways to do this. If you are at the library copying documents you can write the information about where it can be located right on the copy as suggested in the video. I prefer evernote.com. But you can search for a way that is perfect for you. The important things is to do it.
It took me a long time to refine this part of my researching and to realize that my research notes included my sources and citations but are not limited to them. This is why I prefer Evernote.com for my research notes. I can include all the metadata (data about my data or sources and citations) and also have the flexibility to do a narrative about my findings in one accessible place. I don't find research logs adequate for that much information but they may be perfect for you. Again, you have to find what works for you. Just make sure you do something!
The fact is, a lot of "genealogists" don't do source citations. The reasons are varied and sound something like this..."I don't plan to publish my work," or ,"It is too hard and takes too long," or "It seems unnecessary." The more casual the interest the more likely you will hear these reasons. Quoting staff at ancestry.com on this..."Sourcing is ultimately what ties the entire genealogy community together. We all rely on each other's work to some degree, whether it is a pedigree sent by our cousin or a family history written two centuries ago. Sourcing your work ensures that anyone who picks up where you left off doesn't have to duplicate your efforts and can have confidence that your facts come from reliable sources." You can read more of this article at http://www.genealogy.com/94-sourcing/
See John Wylie's article here http://www.genealogy.com/19_wylie.html if you want to get into the technical aspects of sourcing and citations for publication or just because you want to do that kind of detail correctly. Remember it can be as simple or as complicated as you wish. As for me, I want to keep it fairly simple. I want to be thorough but I do not want to get so caught up in the minutia of information about information to the point that it forestalls my researching time. There are only so many waking hours in the day after all. Right?
I think the things outlined by familysearch.org in the green box above are good to begin. Just remember it is like a recipe or road map. Just help someone else or yourself to get to that source again in the easiest possible way for verification, authenticity and accuracy. Test your citation on someone else. If it works you are good to go. Why go to all the work of researching if you don't do this important part of the whole process? It just doesn't make any sense unless you are just collecting names as a hobby. As you do it more and more your methods will evolve and you'll learn more. For now just keep it simple.
And now from Pinterest...(drumroll....) a beautiful picture for the other side of our brains because there is way too much black and white on this page.
The Salt Lake Temple and the Reflecting Pond.
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