Avoiding Plagiarism

1
Avoiding Plagiarism

• What it is
• and
• Why you should avoid it!

2
Plagiarism is

• The unauthorized use or close imitation of the
  of the language and thoughts of another author
  and the representation of them as ones original
  work. Websters Encyclopedic Unabridged
  Dictionary of the English Language, 1996.
• Dishonest
• Cheating
• Stealing

3
Forms of Plagiarism

• Complete Plagiarism
• Near Complete Plagiarism
• Patchwork Plagiarism (Assembled Papers)
• Lazy Plagiarism
• Self Plagiarism
• Accidental Plagiarism

4
from OWL at Purdue University Avoiding
Plagiarism Purdue University Online.
http//owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_
plagiar.html September 3, 2003.
5
Consequences

• A zero on the assignment
• Automatic failure of the class
• Academic probation
• Expulsion from school
• Lost reputation
• Loss of trust

6
Avoiding Plagiarism

• Research
• Writing
• Citations
• Editing

From Gordon, Colin H., et al. Plagiarism
Brochure Biology Program Guide 2003/2004.
University of British Columbia. Online.
http//www.zoology.ubc.ca/bpg/plagiarism.htm. 5
September 2003.
7
Research

• Document your sources
• Create a Source Card
• Identify quotations and paraphrases

From Gordon, Colin H., et al. Plagiarism
Brochure Biology Program Guide 2003/2004.
University of British Columbia. Online.
http//www.zoology.ubc.ca/bpg/plagiarism.htm. 5
September 2003.
8
Writing

• Original Organization
• Use direct quotations or your own word avoid
  CLOSE paraphrases
• Read the draft closely

From Gordon, Colin H., et al. Plagiarism
Brochure Biology Program Guide 2003/2004.
University of British Columbia. Online.
http//www.zoology.ubc.ca/bpg/plagiarism.htm. 5
September 2003.
9
Citations

• When in doubt CITE
• Citations must clearly identify the source
• Include a complete bibliography or works cited
  section

From Gordon, Colin H., et al. Plagiarism
Brochure Biology Program Guide 2003/2004.
University of British Columbia. Online.
http//www.zoology.ubc.ca/bpg/plagiarism.htm. 5
September 2003.
10
Choosing When to Cite

• Do Cite When
• When you are using or referring to somebody
  elses words or ideas from any medium
• When you use information gained by interviewing
  someone
• When you copy the exact words or a "unique
  phrase"
• When you reprint any diagrams, illustrations,
  charts, or pictures
• When using others ideas from conversations or
  email

• Do Not Cite When
• When you are writing about your own experiences,
  observations, insights, thoughts, or conclusions
  about a subject
• When you are using "common knowledge"
• When compiling accepted facts
• When writing up your own experimental results

From Avoiding Plagiarism OWL at Purdue
University http//owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/
research/r_plagiar.html Online. September 19, 2003
11
But everybody knows that!! Do I still have to
cite my source?

• Not if it is considered Common Knowledge
• How do I know if it is considered Common
  Knowledge?
• Reasonably expect an average person to know it
• Found it undocumented in at least five (5)
  resources
• It is easily found in a standard reference source

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Editing

• Are all your citations complete?
• Is all quoted material attributed to a source?
• When paraphrasing did you cite the original?
• Is the language your own or your sources?

From Gordon, Colin H., et al. Plagiarism
Brochure Biology Program Guide 2003/2004.
University of British Columbia. Online.
http//www.zoology.ubc.ca/bpg/plagiarism.htm. 5
September 2003.
13
Remember

• Only you can prevent plagiarism!