PLAGIARISM

PLAGIARISM

1. OVERVIEW OF PLAGIARISM

   • Presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, either with or without the original author's consent, without proper acknowledgment.
   • This includes all published and unpublished material, in manuscript, printed, or electronic form.
   • Self-plagiarism, which is reusing your own work without proper citation, and using artificial intelligence without explicit authorization, also fall under this definition.

2. COMMON FORMS OF PLAGIARISM

   • Verbatim quotations without acknowledgment
     • Using the exact words of another author without indicating the source through quotation marks, indentation, or a clear citation.
   • Cutting and pasting from the internet
     • Using information from websites without referencing it properly or including it in the bibliography.
   • Paraphrasing without attribution
     • Rewriting someone else’s ideas by changing a few words or following their argument’s structure without citing the source.
   • Collusion
     • Unauthorized collaboration between students or failing to acknowledge help received in a project.
   • Inaccurate citation
     • Incorrectly referencing sources, either in the text or in the bibliography.
   • Failure to acknowledge assistance
     • Not attributing substantial help received from peers, technicians, or external sources.
   • Use of material written by others
     • Submitting work written by someone else or a professional agency as your own.
   • Self-plagiarism
     • Re-submitting work that has already been assessed, either partially or fully, without proper citation or permission.

3. WHY AVOID PLAGIARISM

   • Academic Integrity
     • Plagiarism is a serious violation that compromises trust in academic work.
   • Impact on Learning
     • Students who plagiarize avoid engaging in the full learning process and fail to develop original ideas.
   • Severe Penalties
     • Plagiarism can result in significant academic sanctions, ranging from grade reductions to expulsion.
   • Institutional Reputation
     • Plagiarism damages the reputation of the academic institution and undermines the value of the degrees it awards.

4. CONSEQUENCES OF PLAGIARISM

   • Reckless plagiarism
     • Even if unintentional, failing to take steps to avoid plagiarism can result in penalties, such as loss of marks.
   • Formal investigation
     • Suspected cases are thoroughly investigated by academic authorities and can be escalated to a Disciplinary Panel if necessary.
   • Disciplinary penalties
     • Universities investigate plagiarism cases, which may lead to academic penalties or expulsion.
   • Intentional plagiarism
     • Deliberate attempts to gain an unfair advantage through plagiarism result in more severe penalties.

5. HOW TO AVOID PLAGIARISM

   • Understand citation conventions
     • Familiarize yourself with the citation rules of your discipline, including proper use of quotation marks for direct quotes and accurate citation of sources.
   • Take accurate notes
     • Ensure you record detailed information about the sources when researching and studying.
   • Develop your own voice
     • Work on building your own interpretations and arguments instead of heavily paraphrasing from other texts.
   • Participate in plagiarism courses
     • Take advantage of university resources, such as online courses, that explain how to avoid plagiarism.
   • Reference all types of material
     • Ensure that not only written texts but also graphics, images, computer code, and other forms of content are appropriately cited.

6. ETHICAL USE OF SOURCES

   • Proper referencing
     • Ensure all ideas, words, and data from other authors are clearly cited, both within the text and in the bibliography.
   • Citing reliable sources
     • Make sure to use and evaluate sources, especially online materials, that are peer-reviewed and academically sound.
   • Contributing to academic debates
     • Proper citation not only avoids plagiarism but also strengthens your argument and shows you are participating in wider academic discussions.

7. EXAMPLES OF PLAGIARISM AND HOW TO AVOID IT

   • Plagiarism through inaccurate paraphrasing
     • Simply changing a few words is not enough. To avoid this, fully understand the original argument and write a genuine interpretation in your own words.
   • Correct use of quotations
     • When using direct phrases or distinctive ideas, they must be clearly quoted and cited to avoid misunderstanding about the authorship.
   • Citing general vs. common knowledge
     • Information that is not common knowledge in your discipline must be cited, while common knowledge facts do not need references.

8. POSITIVE IMPACT OF AVOIDING PLAGIARISM

   • Skill development
     • By avoiding plagiarism, students develop essential skills like critical analysis, argumentation, and clear writing.
   • Academic credibility
     • Proper referencing increases the credibility of your work and shows a commitment to intellectual honesty.
   • Improved academic work quality
     • A clear understanding of how to use sources correctly enhances the clarity, depth, and quality of your research and writing.

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