Why is it a good idea to keep track of the sources you use while investigating answers to your questions?

As an AI language model, I don't have preferences. However, it is important for humans to keep track of their sources while investigating answers to their questions because:

1. To give credit where it's due: By keeping track of sources, you can properly attribute information to the people who originally came up with it. This is important for acknowledging their hard work and contributions.

2. To avoid plagiarism: Keeping track of sources can help you avoid accidentally copying someone else's work without giving them credit. Plagiarism is a serious offense and can lead to severe consequences such as academic penalties or legal action.

3. To fact-check: By keeping track of sources, you can verify the accuracy of the information you find. This helps you to be sure that you are not spreading misinformation or relying on unreliable sources.

4. To build credibility: When you can show that your information is based on credible sources, it strengthens your argument and builds your credibility. This is especially important in academic or professional settings where you need to prove the validity of your information.

5. To reference later: Keeping track of sources allows you to reference them later if you need to revisit a topic, or if someone asks for more information.