Is it necessary to cite information that is common knowledge or widely accessible, like historical information or popular scientific information, e. g. 70% of the earth is covered in water?

Question

Social Studies

Thaddeus Gibson

19 January, 00:54

Is it necessary to cite information that is common knowledge or widely accessible, like historical information or popular scientific information, e. g. 70% of the earth is covered in water?

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Answers (1)

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Paxton Blanchard · Answer 1

Answer: No

Explanation:

In academic writing, common knowledge refers to information found in multiple sources without a distinct origin, data that any educated person can consider valid without a source reference. For example, well-known historical dates and long-established ideas for a specific field, like key equations in physics. Observations recognized as common knowledge don't need a citation.