Plagiarism What it is, and why it matters Examples of plagiarism Intent is not relevant Using the work of other students Plagiarism: To learn more …

Plagiarism What is it? “Presenting as one’s own work, the work of another person” (University at Albany) Why is it a serious breach? U.S. universities privilege, as a fundamental learning objective, the capacity of student to develop ideas and arguments, and to reach conclusions. Assessments in course modules (and the thesis or dissertation) focus on the student’s own work. This means you, as the student, solved the problem or identified key findings from a research article or study or drew your own conclusions. In your work, don’t plagiarize. DO attribute to the source (researcher, study) the ideas or argument or finding that you include in your submission.

Examples of Plagiarism Word-for-word copy of text, without attribution of source. Set off in quotation marks, with attribution at the quote. Ideas, logical arguments, or conclusions from a source, without attribution. Refer to the source in the text, or cite in the text at the place where the idea, argument, or conclusion is introduced. A listing in the references is not sufficient attribution, nor is a general reference in the text. Keep in mind that the learning objective usually goes beyond identifying and knowing relevant ideas and findings. The student’s submission is judged by how you draw on the original work of others (attributed) to develop and support your own idea, your own analysis, and your own conclusions.

Intent is not relevant If a student does not attribute the original source of an idea, finding, or conclusion, it is plagiarism. This is true, whether the lack of appropriate attribution is intended or not. It is the student’s responsibility to know what plagiarism is and how to properly attribute original material. “The student is responsible for understanding the legitimate use of sources, the appropriate ways of acknowledging academic, scholarly, or creative indebtedness … “ (University at Albany)

Using the work of other students Copying text or re-phrasing arguments or conclusions of another student. If you are asked to complete an assignment independently, you should assume that the work must be your own. You should not use the work of other students in the class or of prior students in the course. The “grey area” Some course modules feature group work, where ideas, findings of research studies, and conclusions are shared in order to arrive at a group submission. Other courses permit students to share lab results (as a check) or reference material found to be useful, but expect each student to write up her or his results. In such courses, the instructor will make clear what part of the assignment is group work or is to make use of discussion and exchange with fellow students and what part is independent.

Plagiarism: To find out more … Information is available in university student guides, in the library, books on the conduct of research and writing research papers, and through specific course modules to enable students to learn how to properly attribute the work of others. Instructors for each course can be asked to provide guidance for group work as well as for proper attribution of sources – both at the beginning of work on an assignment and as the work on that assignment advances.