* Avoiding plagiarism: Even though it's your own work, reusing substantial portions without citation is self-plagiarism, which is still considered academic misconduct. It misrepresents your current work's originality.
* Giving proper credit: Citing your previous work acknowledges the intellectual lineage of your research and gives credit where it's due. This demonstrates academic honesty and transparency.
* Showing the development of your ideas: Citing previous work helps readers understand the progression of your thinking and research. It allows them to see how your current research builds upon your past findings.
* Avoiding redundancy: If you're reusing large portions of previously published work, it's often better to briefly summarize those findings and cite the original source, rather than repeating the same content verbatim.
The specific citation style will depend on the journal or institution's requirements (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). You'll need to follow the guidelines meticulously.