Final answer:
A map of Brooklyn, NY found in an atlas requires documentation in a research paper to credit the source.
Step-by-step explanation:
The item that would require documentation in an academic research paper from the options provided is C. A map of Brooklyn, NY found in an atlas. This map is an example of a secondary source and must be cited to acknowledge the original creator of the work. An observation made during a field trip, a photograph from a personal event, and a well-known fact such as Thomas Jefferson being the third President of the United States would not necessarily require citations unless they come from external sources that are not common knowledge and need credit for their work.