Research Guides: Botany: Plagiarism FAQs

"Me? Plagiarize?" [3:38]

What are examples of plagiarism?

To use the words, thoughts, or ideas of others.
Common example: To "copy & paste" from a website or online source, including books, magazines, or other works.
To paraphrase (rewrite it in your own words) and NOT cite the information.
Forgetting quotation marks when using someone else's material.
Not using in-text citations or listing citations in your bibliography, references, or works cited page.
Buying or paying someone to write a paper, or submitting someone else's writing as your own.

Plagiarism can be intentional (to knowingly cheat) and unintentional (accidental). Academic integrity is important, so cite your sources and give credit where credit is due!

Helpful Tips for Students

What is "common knowledge?"

Check It Out at the Library

Plagiarism: A How-Not-to Guide for Students
Call Number: PN167 .G46 2009
The author provides all the dos and don'ts students need. Get explicit guidelines for MLA and APA citation. Find out how to use search engines well and document their results appropriately. Learn to properly summarize and paraphrase third-party material. Understand what is common knowledge and what isn't.

Helpful Tips & Tools for Faculty

Best Practices for Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism
Council of Writing Program Administrators
Are You Encouraging Plagiarism? 6 Tips For Improving Your Term-Paper Assignments
FacultyFocus.com
Plagiarism.org
Site sponsored by Turnitin
Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism
University of San Francisco

FREE PLAGIARISM DETECTION TOOLS:

Grammarly
Grammarly is an automated proofreader and plagiarism checker.
Google Advanced Search
If you suspect plagiarism, search engines can detect unusual phrases or uncharacteristic student writing style.
Citation Machine
"We check your paper against billions of sources using technology similar to Turnitin"

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

To plagiarize is...

TO STEAL AND PASS OFF (THE IDEAS OR WORDS OF ANOTHER) AS ONE'S OWN; USE WITHOUT CREDITING THE SOURCE.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed.

"Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty" are defined in the UH systemwide Student Conduct Code policy [IV.B.1]:

Cheating is an act of academic dishonesty and includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the UH faculty, staff or student body; and (4) engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.
Plagiarism is also an act of academic dishonesty and includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

Information Ethics: Plagiarism & Copyright [7:32]

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Need help avoiding plagiarism? Check out one of these...

What Every Student Should Know About Avoiding Plagiarism
Call Number: PN167 .S74 2007
Students will take plagiarism seriously and understand its consequences with this timely and effective supplement. A brief essential guide to citing sources using both MLA and APA documentation styles is also included.
Doing Honest Work in College
Call Number: PN171.F56 L56 2008
This helpful guide explains the principles of academic integrity in a clear, straightforward way and shows students how to apply them in all academic situations—from paper writing and independent research to study groups and lab work.
Originality, Imitation, and Plagiarism: Teaching Writing in the Digital Age
Call Number: PN167 .O75 2008
This volume includes essays that explore the complex issues of originality, imitation, and plagiarism, especially as they concern students and scholars.
Pluralizing Plagiarism
Call Number: PN167 .P58 2008
This book opens a productive dialogue about what is at stake in plagiarism - one that approaches the topic with students rather than for or about them.
Preventing Plagiarism: Tips and Techniques
Call Number: PN167 .D47 2007
In this practical guide, the author seeks to help alleviate some of this frustration by offering teachers effective strategies for heading off plagiarism at its sources.
Student Plagiarism in an Online World
Call Number: PN167 .S78 2008
This book describes the legal and ethical issues surrounding plagiarism, the tools and techniques available to combat the spreading of this problem, and real-life situational examples...