You have an idea. An idea pretty simple, enough that someone must have had the idea before. In fact, given you discovered it independently, perhaps others have as well.

You go searching, and you find a related idea. You find another that is similar to yours. A few months later, you look again, and unfold another. If you keep looking, you’ll probably find even more citations.

I’m stuck on this right now. The works I’m finding have few citations, so the ideas aren’t super explored, but I know I’ll keep finding other people who I should cite! And with all the controversy recently about citations and lesser-known people, I’m worried about acting unethically.

Basically, how do you know once you’ve done your due diligence?