‘Plagiarism’ is using the ideas or words of others as if they are your own. It occurs most commonly in written assignments when ideas are used without giving proper credit and reference to their source or when sections of text are copied from other books, journals or the internet without quoting their source or otherwise indicating that they are taken from another source. Plagiarism is regarded in all universities as a very serious issue and as a form of cheating. Students found to have committed plagiarism may be given a zero score for their work or, in extreme cases, asked to leave the programme.
When you submit an assignment you will usually be asked to sign a ‘declaration’ that the work is your own and that you have given proper academic credit to all sources you have used. It is important therefore that (a) you read the rules and guidance on plagiarism which will be included in your programme handbook or programme regulations and (b) you take every step you can to avoid plagiarism. Here are some of the things you can do:
• When taking notes from books, journals etc., never copy out sections of text, but always summarise them in your own words.
• Never ‘cut and paste’ text or diagrams from the internet.
• Where you want to use a particular phrase or quotation or diagram from a source, always put it in your own notes in ‘quotation marks’ with the precise reference next to it so that it is clear it is a direct quotation.
• Whenever you use a direct quotation or an idea or a diagram/table from another source in your work ensure that you give a reference for the source.
Plagiarism is very easy for tutors to detect. They are familiar with the research and ideas in their field and will know if you are quoting an idea without giving credit to its original source. They will also recognise the difference between your own writing style and the style of sections of text copied from other sources. In addition, some universities now use software linked to MLE/VLE systems which will automatically check assignments for evidence of plagiarism.
|
