Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism of either artwork or written work is illegal.... Plagiarism is defined as taking someone else's work as one's own, whether in whole or in part. This includes semi-plagiarism in which portions of another's work or writing are used, rearranged or minimally changed for use as one's own. A properly cited work with quotation marks avoids this problem. (Chicago State University, Assessment Word Document Page 2 paragraph 3)

Avoiding Plagiarism 

Prezi presentation made by Judicial Affairs

If you are unable to view the presentation the following is the outline of the presentation. 

Guide to understanding and Avoiding Academic Dishonesty

Academic Dishonesty (cheating) is:

The attempt to gain an unfair academic advantage or assisting or permitting another to do so.

Examples include:

Plagiarism:

·         Using someone else’s work in any academic assignment without appropriate acknowledgement (such as paraphrasing another’s idea or copying text, phrases or ideas from a book, journal, electronic source or another person’s paper, without acknowledgement).

Cheating on Exams:

·         Unauthorized use of external assistance during an examination (such as using crib notes, talking to fellow students, or looking at another person’s exam).

·         Unauthorized Collaboration:

·         Preparing academic assignments with another person without faculty authorization (such as discussing or sharing work on homework projects).

·         Falsifying Academic Records:

·         Alteration or misrepresentation of official or unofficial records including academic transcripts, applications for admission, exam papers, registration materials, medical excuses or lab attendance forms.

Plagiarism is:

Using the words, ideas or thoughts of another and claiming them as your own whether that material I paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near-verbatim form. It is both stealing and lying (claiming implicitly that the words or ideas are you own). It also shows contempt and disrespect for the professor and other students. When you put your name on your academic work it says that it is yours, to praise or criticize.

Examples include:

·         Downloading a paper from an internet cite

·         Turning in another students work as your own

·         Copying a paper from a source without proper acknowledgment

·         Copying material from a source text, supplying proper documentation, but leaving out quotation marks

·         Paraphrasing materials from a source text without appropriate documentation

·         Receiving too much outside assistance in editing your paper

What are the consequences of cheating?

·         Grade penalty from “0” on an assignment to “F” in the course

·         Dismissal from academic department

·         Suspension from Cal Poly Pomona University and all CSU campuses. Being kicked out for a period of time (1 semester-2 years)

·         Expulsion from all CSU campuses. Permanently being kicked out.

·         Revocation of admission

·         Revocation of degree 

Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism:

·         USE YOUR OWN WORDS AND IDEAS

o   Practice is essential to learning. Each time you choose your words, order your thoughts, and convey your ideas, you can improve your writing.

·         GIVE CREDIT FOR COPIED, ADAPTED OR PARAPHRAISED MATERIAL.

o   If you repeat another’s exact words you MUST use quotation marks AND cite the source. If you adapt a chart or paraphrase a sentence, you must still cite. Paraphrase means that you restate the author’s ideas, meanings and information in your own words (see examples).

·         AVOID USING OTHER’S WORK WITH MINOR “COSMETIC” CHANGES.

o   Examples: using “less” for “fewer” reversing the order of the sentence, changing terms in a computer code, or altering the spread of a sheet layout. If the work is essentially the same, give credit.

·         THERE ARE NO “FREEBIES.”

o   ALWAYS cite words, information and ideas you use if they are new to you (learned in your research). No matter where you find it – even in an encyclopedia or on the Internet – you cite it!

·         BEWARE OF “COMMON KNOWLEDGE.”

o   You don’t have to cite “common knowledge,” BUT the fact must really be commonly known. That Abraham Lincoln was the U.S. president during the Civil War Is common knowledge; that over 51,000 Union and Confederate soldiers did in the Battle of Gettysburg is not.

·         WHEN IN DOUBT, CITE.

o   Better to be safe than not give credit when you should!