Plagiarism

Plagiarism is an act of academic dishonesty and is a serious ethical and scholarly violation unless the words, phrases, or sentences are in quotation marks and the sources are given in full. Broadly defined, plagiarism is presenting the work of another person as one’s own. It is unacceptable to copy text or ideas, either verbatim or in using wording or sentences from a source, without citing the author and source. These sources might be written, such as textbooks, library books, journal articles, encyclopedia articles, or they may be electronic, such as computer files, Internet sites, or they may be audio discs, musical scores, or film and video materials. The format of the information you use is irrelevant; any material written by another that you incorporate into your papers must be properly acknowledged using the style manual appropriate to the discipline or required by the instructor. Similar care must be taken in the preparation of oral presentation.

There are two main forms of plagiarism:

Direct copying of any source without proper acknowledgment
Integrating ideas or concepts from one or various sources without citations

The presentation of material without acknowledging its sources misleads the reader about the source of the ideas, language, or data. Required practices include written citations acknowledging the ideas or work of others that contribute directly to your work. When using the exact language of another, the text must be put in quotation marks and the source acknowledged. When using combined sources for a paper that closely express the views of other authors, even though the wording may be changed, each of the works must be cited. Students should consult with their instructor if there is any question regarding good practices of citation.

Plagiarism is a very serious matter. Plagiarism, like cheating on an assignment or exam, is a violation of the University Honor Code.