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Botany: Plagiarism FAQs

"Me? Plagiarize?" [3:38]

Video produced by George Mason University Libraries. Creative Commons Attribution license.

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!

What is "common knowledge?"

Video produced by Kirkwood Community College Library. Creative Commons License.

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Helpful Tips & Tools for Faculty

FREE PLAGIARISM DETECTION TOOLS:

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

stop sign

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dishonesty and includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement.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...

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