Hello!

This is my first time posting here. Hope everyone had a good holiday!

I'm currently applying for a masters program in which the personal statement/statement of intent has two part. The first part is the general personal statement - academic background, how I became interested in the program etc. However, they also have a component (400-500 words) asking me to discuss a topic/problem/question within the field and how it is being addressed and/or "provides an innovative approach to addressing it.

My question concerns the second part. Do I need to/ Should I formally cite where I got the information/ideas from? or mentioning sources 'informally' within the statement. Obviously, I would need to do some research concerning the topic and use ideas/concepts/etc from secondary sources. In a sense, its almost a simplified literature review.

For example, I am writing about the issue surround foreign aid - is it effective?justified? etc. I want to talk about the OECD attempt to address the issue. I got the information from their official website. Would I then have to footnote/endnote/provide a bibliography about where I got the information or saying something along the line of "The OECD has made efforts to find solutions through the High Level Forum. According to there official website etc.' ?

I'm slightly nervous about this since it is after all an academic application.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!