plagiarism

PLAGIARISM

228/4 ProjectsDamian Gordon

Plagiarism

"regarded as either intentionally or unintentionally the ‘passing off’ of others’ work as one’s own. This includes the using of others’ ideas, information presented or accessed in either visual or audio formats and asking or paying another to produce work." [1]

Plagiarism

That is not to say students shouldn't use the work of others, most learning involves engaging with other people's ideas; reading about them in books or on the web, or hearing about them in lectures, but it is very important to give credit where it is due in accordance with the scholarly method.

Plagiarism

The purpose of the School's policy on plagiarism is not to catch students out; it is to teach you correct academic behaviour and conventions of referencing. For more details on the DIT's policy on plagiarism please refer to the General Assessment Regulations.

Plagiarism Which of these is plagiarism?

1. Copying and pasting text without acknowledging its source


2. Copying and pasting text with a citation at the end, e.g. (Smith, 2006)


3. Copying and pasting text, and putting it in italics, with a citation at the end, e.g. (Smith, 2006)


4. Copying and pasting text, and putting it in italics, with quotes (“ ” inverted commas), with a citation at the end, e.g. (Smith, 2006)


5. Half-coping the author’s sentence - either by mixing the author’s phrases with your own without using quotation marks or by plugging your synonyms into the author’s sentence structure without acknowledging its source


6. Half-coping the author’s sentence - either by mixing the author’s phrases with your own without using quotation marks or by plugging your synonyms into the author’s sentence structure with a citation at the end, e.g. (Smith, 2006)


7. Restating the authors views in your own words without acknowledging its source


8. Restating the authors views in your own words with a citation at the end, e.g. (Smith, 2006)

Plagiarism

If a student wishes to copy text verbatim from another source (usually no more than about ten lines) it is important that they do three things; first that they enclose the text in quotes (inverted commas “ ”), second they italicize the text, and third they place a reference directly after quote to a citation that will uniquely identify the source of that quote.

Plagiarism

It is usually more preferable that the student summarises and interprets material read from another source, opening their summary with something like “According to Smith [2009] …” thus citing the reference at the start of the summary. Ultimately it is vital that students include references to all materials read in the course of their research, it serves to show the degree of research effort that they have undertaken and shows their academic integrity.

Plagiarism- What it’s a waste

When you copy you cheat yourself. You limit your own learningIt is only right to give credit to authors whose ideas you useCiting gives authority to the information you presentCiting makes it possible for your readers to locate your sourceEducation is not “us vs. them” - it’s about learningCheating is unethical behaviourThe consequences are not worth the risks!

Excuses for Plagiarism and Why they Don’t Work


I didn't realise I was doing it.

The student is responsible for the work that they submit for marking in this course; it is their responsibility to fully understand what plagiarism is and to ensure that they do not commit plagiarism (intentionally or unintentionally).


We were doing a group project.

Students are not allowed to submit work jointly unless they have first received permission from the lecturer in question that this is permissible; it is not acceptable to come to the lecturer after submission and indicate that they worked with others.


They said it so much better. Shouldn't I use their words?

The problem with copying is that the examiner cannot be sure if the student really understands the material or is just cutting-and-pasting, it is better for students to express something poorly in their own words than steal somebody else's work.


I meant to include citations, but I forgot/ran out of time.

It is important that students get into the habit of inserting citations, even in their rough drafts. If they have difficulties remembering their references, there is a range of citation software on the market now. Good citing is part of good project management.


I showed this work to my examiner before I submitted it and s/he didn't comment on it.

Again it is the student's responsibility to ensure that they do not commit plagiarism (intentionally or unintentionally) when they submit a piece of examinable work – no one else’s.


I didn't think I would get caught.

Not only is there a range of software available to detect plagiarism, but also most of the lecturers are familiar with a broad range of text books and have been using the Web for a lot longer than the students.

What will happen a student plagiarises?

What will happen a student plagiarises?

If an examiner suspects that plagiarism has occurred they will inform the appropriate individuals as per the D.I.T. General Assessment Regulations, this may result in a Faculty level Panel of Enquiry (as per section 10.1.2 of the D.I.T. General Assessment Regulations). Penalties for plagiarism include failure of the entire year, suspension and expulsion.

References

[1] D.I.T. General Assessment Regulations, http://www.dit.ie/services/academicregistrar/student-assessment-regulations/general/ Date Accessed: 4 February 2010.

plagiarism

Education

dont work

elses work

authors phrases

authors views

source education

students shouldnt

range of citation software

good citing