You want to ensure that you aren't using citations 100% of the time because then you wouldn't be bringing anything new to your research paper. The best way to think about citations is to make sure that you use them to highlight information that you learned during research. Information that may not be generally known. To ensure your research paper is original, avoid relying solely on citations. Using citations 100% of the time would prevent you from contributing your own insights. Instead, think of citations as a way to acknowledge information you discovered during your research—particularly facts that are not well known or that you were previously unaware of. There isn't a specific number of citations you must include. What's important is that you credit sources for information you learned through your research. This also applies when you are quoting information; ensure that you use citations in those cases as well. There is no right or wrong number of citations if you make sure you are giving credit for information you learned or took during research. Information that you were previously unaware of, or that is not well known. This is also true if you are quoting information, citations need to be used.
