5.4 Distinguishing between common knowledge and sources that require acknowledgement
If you have been going through this tutorial in order, then you were introduced to the concept of common knowledge in Lesson 2.2. In this lesson, we will take those principles a step further.
Let's review. If you find information in five or more independent sources, it may be common knowledge. If you find it in general reference sources, it may be common knowledge -- but not necessarily. And as Lesson 2.2 pointed out, scholars don't alway agree. So if you're trying to avoid unintentional plagiarism, what are you supposed to do? Wait for them to resolve their differences and hope you don't wind up in front of Honor Court? It's complicated, but it's not quite that complicated.
In real estate there are three important words every salesman knows: Location. Location. Location.
In writing, there are also three important words:
Audience. Audience. Audience.
Consider your audience. Does anyone who would be reading this paper know this?
Finally – grammar pundits often use this guideline for using commas: When in doubt, leave it out. This is NOT true for avoiding unintentional plagiarism. When in doubt, CITE THE SOURCE. Having your instructor comment in the margin of your paper that you didn’t need to cite a source is far less serious than winding up in front of an honor court, losing your eligibility to participate in campus athletics, or getting kicked out of school with a note placed in your permanent record in case a future educational institution, the military, or an employer ever contacts them for information about your sordid past.
WHEN IN DOUBT, CITE THE SOURCE.
- Are you writing for other individuals in the field of psychology? Then you can assume that they know what positive reinforcement is without documenting your source.
- Are you writing a paper for a class on the history of early psychology? Then you might want to cite the source of your information about who came up with the concept to show that you really are doing your research.
- Are you writing for readers who might want to learn more about the topic? If so, cite a source or two so that they can find more information (which may require you to track down a source about something you consider common knowledge, but be nice and do it anyway).
Finally – grammar pundits often use this guideline for using commas: When in doubt, leave it out. This is NOT true for avoiding unintentional plagiarism. When in doubt, CITE THE SOURCE. Having your instructor comment in the margin of your paper that you didn’t need to cite a source is far less serious than winding up in front of an honor court, losing your eligibility to participate in campus athletics, or getting kicked out of school with a note placed in your permanent record in case a future educational institution, the military, or an employer ever contacts them for information about your sordid past.
WHEN IN DOUBT, CITE THE SOURCE.