Question

A little confused about when it's necessary to cite something. For example, if I say something like "Bt genes in crops keep unwanted pests at bay", as long as I haven't cut and pasted it from somewhere, is it considered common knowledge that I do not need to cite? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

If it's a direct quote, you cite.
If it's a paraphrase, you cite.
If it's something the general populous, not expressly educated on the topic knows, you don't have to cite, though it doesn't hurt.

So using your sentence, would the general person who doesn't know anything in terms of specialized education in crops or genetics know that information? If no, then find a citation for it, either you can leave that sentence alone if you didn't pull it from somewhere but find a source that you can cite that explains it. If yes, (which I'm skeptical about because I for one have no idea what you're talking about) then you're fine, and you don't have to cite it.

Answer 2

Okay, thanks! What about a statistic in an article. The article states, "The USDA's National Agricultural Statistc Service says that, in 2010, as much as 86 %......". I'm assuming I need to cite the USDA like the article did, AND the article itself at the end?

Answer 3

If you're going to quote it like that then you would cite the source you got it from. If you find the USDA citation and put the statistic in your own words, then you would site them. But as it is you're using someone else's words, so cite the words, not the statistic.

Answer 4

Thanks again!