When writing a research paper, you will need to incorporate other people’s statements and ideas into your writing, in order to provide expert support for your ideas. When you do this, you will need to make it clear to a reader where you found these statements and ideas, whether in a book, an article, on the internet, in a film, by talking to someone personally, or through any other means. This shows a reader that you did your research, and also allows her to find that same information if it interests her.
Plagiarism is when you use the work or ideas of someone else in your own work without giving credit to the original source. Sometimes people intentionally cheat by trying to pass a paper as their own work, but, very often, plagiarism happens by accident.
Regardless of the intention, plagiarism can have serious consequences. The UHD Student Handbook includes an Academic Honesty Policy (PS 03.A.19) with a definition of plagiarism and procedures for faculty to follow when they suspect a student may have plagiarized or cheated on a paper. Penalties for plagiarism can include a failing grade (F) for a course.
The UHD library has a research guide all about plagiarism, understanding it and avoiding it. Take a look at it for more information or help. You can also take a look at the Academic Honesty web page.
Did you know UHD librarians visit our distance sites? We come to teach library instruction courses, provide research help, and meet with faculty and students. You’ll see this sign when a UHD librarian is at the UHD-NW computer lab. Stop by to say hello!
