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Plagiarism: What is it?

Because students often are confused about what is and is not plagiarism, I have prepared this page to help you understand what is acceptable. There are some gray areas and if you have any questions, ask your instructor. Plagiarism is very serious and it can be grounds for failure in a course.   If in doubt... ask first.

NOTE: You are now in college.  Recognize that as you progress in your education the standards become higher. As a College student you are expected to have your own ideas.   You are expected to read information and explain it in your words. If you complete an assignment by copying material, you are not showing that you understand anything. Only that you can repeat what the textbook says.

Definition:

Lets start with a definition:  Plagiarize \'pla-je-,riz also j - -\ vb -rized; -riz·ing vt [plagiary] : to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (a created production) without crediting the source vi: to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source - pla·gia·riz·er n
From: Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary 9th ed

What to do:

It is unacceptable to copy something out of a book, newspaper, journal or any other printed source.  Additionally it is unacceptable to represent anything taken from the Internet as your own work.  The most blatant example of this is to directly copy something word for word. It does not matter if it is only a phrase. If it is not yours, either do not use it or place it in quotes and reference it.

Three ways to avoiding plagiarism :
1) The important thing is that the reader can tell what is yours, and what is someone else's. For short quotes, use quotation marks in the sentence. To avoid needing to use quotation marks, learn how to write using your own words.

Example: "Loosely defined, a system can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole."( Essentials of Geology 10th ed. p.15)

2) For longer quotes it is appropriate to indent the entire passage: Cite your source.  If in doubt, cite the source.  Avoid answering a question by providing a stock definition and opt for explaining it in your own words instead.

Example: Longer quotes can be indented and single spaced.

Loosely defined, a system can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole. Most natural systems are driven by sources of energy that move matter and / or energy from one place to another.  A simple analogy is a cars cooling system, which contains a liquid ( usually water and antifreeze) that is driven from the engine to the radiator and back again. 
(Essentials of Geology 10th ed. p.15)

 

3) Citing sources for information found online must include the full URL. Example: <http://www.conservapedia.com/Geologic_system> Do NOT think you have accurately cited your souce by saying "Wikipedia".  Use the full web address of your image or text. Example:

<http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Volcanosed.gif>

If you modify the image, cite it as: Modified from: <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Volcanosed.gif>

What not to do:

If you use something word for word it MUST be acknowledged. Things start to get a bit gray when you paraphrase. There is one simple solution to this dilemma. DO NOT PARAPHRASE!

Do not use copy and paste, do not copy exact text when taking notes, use your own words rather than copying word for word from a source.

The Internet is a not a Rule-Free Zone.  Plagiarism rules apply to all information found online. Do not copy from internet sources and represent the work as your own.

What is the penalty?

Students caught plagiarizing are guilty of cheating and will receive a zero on the assignment, quiz, or exam and my be turned over to the Dean's Office for disciplinary action.  Cheating puts the integrity of your learning institution in jeopardy and will be dealt with seriously.

A special thank you to Dr. Scott Van Bramer, Professor of Chemistry/Chair Department of Chemistry, Widener University for his ideas on plagiarism and methods for avoiding it, many of which were used to create this webpage.

“Academic Fraud”

Students: Highly Important to Read

The college is an academic community with high standards, and its teaching, learning and service purposes are seriously disrupted and subverted by Academic Fraud.  All students at Grossmont College are expected to comply with the institution’s high standards of Academic Integrity and avoid instances of dishonesty at all times.  Such acts of dishonesty include cheating, plagiarism, fraud, false citations or data, and the fraudulent use of Internet resources.

Students are not to commit Academic Fraud, which is a form of cheating, lying or stealing. It is a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the catalog. The intent of this document is to increase student awareness as to what Academic Fraud is, to provide strategies to avoid the situations, and to explain the consequences of committing academic fraud. The Faculty and Administration expect students to have a responsible and sincere commitment to Academic Integrity during the performance of their instructional activities and completion of assignments or requirements.

Academic Fraud includes, but is not limited to, the following situations:

*Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or work without proper or complete acknowledgement. Plagiarism encompasses many things and is by far the most common manifestation of Academic Fraud. For example, copying a passage straight from a book into a paper without quoting and explicitly citing the source is plagiarism. In addition, completely rewording someone else’s work or ideas and using it as one’s own idea is also plagiarism. It is very important that students properly acknowledge all ideas, work, and even distinctive wording that are not their own.  Students who are unsure of how or when to properly acknowledge sources are encouraged to consult their instructor.

*Cheating is the copying of any test or quiz question or problem, or work done in a class that is not the student’s own work.  It also includes giving or receiving unauthorized assistance during an examination whether it was intentional or not.  Obtaining or distributing unauthorized information about an exam before it is given is also cheating, as is using inappropriate or unallowable sources of information during an exam.  To avoid unintentional copying of work, students should cover their own exams and quizzes, and not leave a test or quiz on the desk where another student may be tempted to look at it.

*Multiple Submission is the use of work previously submitted at this or any other institution to fulfill academic requirements in another class. For example, using a paper from an English 126 Creative Writing class for a Sociology 138 Social Psychology class is academic fraud. Slightly altered work that has been resubmitted is also considered to be fraudulent. With prior permission, some professors may allow students to complete one assignment for two classes. In this case, prior permission from both instructors is absolutely necessary.

*False Citation is falsely citing a source or attributing work to a source from which the referenced material was not obtained. A simple example of this would be footnoting a paragraph and citing a work that was never utilized.

*False Data is the fabrication or alteration of data to deliberately mislead. For example, changing data to get better experiment results is academic fraud. Instructors and tutors in lab classes will often have strict guidelines for the completion of labs and assignments. Whenever in doubt about what may be considered academic fraud, students should immediately consult with the instructor.

*Plagiarism via the Internet is occurring with more and more frequency, and takes a number of different forms. As should be obvious, purchasing research papers on the Internet and submitting them as a student’s own work constitutes a gross case of plagiarism. Cutting and pasting from a website without putting the text being used in quotation marks and/or without properly citing the source also constitutes plagiarism. Posting stolen tests online and/or accessing such tests is cheating. Also students should be aware that while many websites provide reliable information, others may not include well-documented research.  Students should be sure to check facts using a variety of different types of resources in order to ensure accuracy.

*Intentional Deception is the submission of false documentation (absence excuse, proof of attendance, volunteer hours, etc.) or falsifying any official college record.  A student who misrepresents facts in order to obtain exemptions from course requirements has committed an act of intentional deception and may also be subject to the consequences listed below.  It is best for a student to do the work as required in a course or speak to the instructor about circumstances that may cause problems in completing forms correctly or honestly.

 

Students who engage in Academic Fraud will be subject to authorized penalties at the discretion of the instructor of record in the class. Such penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam, paper, project, or assignment to a failing grade in the course at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may also summarily suspend the student for the class meeting when the infraction occurred as well as the following class meeting.

In addition, Academic Fraud can result in a suspension or expulsion as stipulated by the District’s Student Disciplinary Procedures administered by the Vice President of Student Services and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.

It is worthwhile to note the California Education Code Section 76224(a) states:

                “When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a community college district, the grade given to each student shall be the grade determined by the faculty member of the course and the determination of the student’s grade by the instructor, in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final.”

The foregoing language indicates that the instructor has sole and final authority in awarding grades based on his/her determination of the quality of the student’s work in the course.  Faculty are strongly encouraged to report all students found to be violation of the college standards for academic integrity to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.

For further clarification and information on these issues, please contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Office in Room 636 or 619-644-7601.
Thank you to the University of Virginia for allowing Grossmont College to modify its statement on Academic Fraud.

 

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