Per the Poorvu Center at Yale, you must cite:
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When you quote two or more words verbatim, or even one word if it is used in a way that is unique to the source.
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When you introduce facts that you have found in a source.
- You don't need to cite generally-accessible facts (e.g. the date that the Gettysburg Address was given), but once you go into more detail you probably need to cite the source.
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When you paraphrase or summarize ideas, interpretations, or conclusions that you find in a source.
- Paraphrases are a use of another person's work.
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When you introduce information that is not common knowledge or that may be considered common knowledge in your field, but the reader may not know it.
- A social scientist would know what the Mirror Test is and its relationship to self-recognition; somebody who has never studied behavioral science would not.
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When you borrow the plan or structure of a larger section of a source's argument.
- If you discuss or work off of an author's experimental design, it's time to cite it.
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When you build on another's method found either in a source or from collaborative work in a lab.
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When you build on another's program or on a not-commonly-known algorithm in writing computer code.
- Some algorithms are common knowledge, but if you rely on someone else's program, then credit them.
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When you collaborate with others in producing knowledge.
- Research can be a collaborative process, so give credit to everyone who contributes.
