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Plagiarism

Library Research Guide

Common Knowledge

It is Common Knowledge: 

  • If you could easily find the information in 3-5 other sources. This includes historical dates and facts, even if you don’t personally know it.
  • If it is general information that most people know. For example, George Washington is the first president of the United States.
  • If it something that is know within one field. In the field of biology everyone would know that mammals have hair.

 

When in doubt, cite it!

 

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