Guide to Plagiarism, Research and Referencing

What Does Not Have to be Acknowledged?

What Does Not Need to Be Referenced?

While referencing is essential for acknowledging other people’s work, there are some cases where a reference is not required.

1. Your Own Personal Opinions and Ideas

  • If you express your own thoughts, conclusions, or analysis, you do not need to reference them.
  • However, if someone else uses your opinion in their work, they must credit you.
  • Example (No Reference Needed):
    • “I believe that positive reinforcement is the most effective dog training method because it strengthens the human-animal bond.”

2. Common Knowledge

Common knowledge is information that:

✔ Can be found in multiple sources (e.g., dictionaries, encyclopedias).
✔ Is widely accepted as fact.
Cannot be traced back to a single author.

Examples of Common Knowledge That Do Not Need Referencing:

  • General facts: “The Second World War lasted from 1939 to 1945.”
  • Historical events: “Julia Gillard was Australia’s first female Prime Minister.”
  • Well-known scientific names in animal care:
    • “The scientific name for dogs is Canis lupus familiaris.”
    • “Cats are obligate carnivores.”
  • Widely accepted veterinary knowledge:
    • “Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes.”
    • “Horses are herbivores and have a hindgut fermentation system.”

Use Caution in Specialised Fields

While some facts are considered common knowledge in general education, specialised knowledge in veterinary nursing, animal care, and science often still requires referencing.

If in doubt, provide a source – referencing strengthens your credibility and avoids any risk of plagiarism.