Why is Plagiarism Important?

Why is Plagiarism Important?April 18, 2013What is Plagiarism?The practice of taking someone elses work or ideas and passing them off as ones own.-From Oxford Dictionaries OnlineWhat is Plagiarism?The practice of taking someone elses work or ideas and passing them off as ones own.What does this mean?Its okay to use other peoples exact words, and its okay to paraphrase someone elses words--as long as you give them credit with a properly formatted citation.The definition of paraphrase (as a verb) from the Oxford Dictionaries online is: Express the meaning of something written or spoken using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity.

Its still plagiarism, even if:You dont do it on purpose.You make up a citation for something you actually wrote yourself.You cite the wrong source for a quotation or paraphrase.You re-use material from one of your own past papers without citing it.

Why do students plagiarize?They dont know that what they are doing is plagiarism.They dont realize that plagiarism is not allowed and considered wrong.They know that its not allowed, but think it is okay anyway.The pressure of getting good grades.They want to make their work sound more fluent in English.They dont think their own ideas are good enough.They are uncomfortable seeking help.Why is plagiarism important?In the commercial world, it is against the law. When you join the work force, being caught plagiarizing can end your career. Its not worth the risk. Get into good habits.In the academic environment you are now in, it is considered to be immoral, unethical, and poor quality scholarship.Why is plagiarism important?Carey, like the vast majority of college-level educational programs in the U.S. and Europe, has an Honor Code that students are strongly encouraged to follow.Have you seen or read it?Do you know whats in it?Do you believe that you should follow it?Why is plagiarism important?The original creator of an idea has a right to intellectual ownership of their original ideas.Coursework done with stolen ideas is of poor quality. Have pride in your own ideas.Youre here to learn and not just to pass courses and get a degree. The more you learn how to express your own ideas, the more success you will have in your career.

Examples in the news ofacademic plagiarism incidentsUCLA Rejects Applicants who plagiarize.Toronto School Board Chairman may have Plagiarized His PhD Dissertation.University of California San Diego: Real world examples of plagiarism in university and professional situations.Severe plagiarism penalties at Harvard for students. and for faculty too.How does the Carey Business School feel about plagiarism?Carey is very focused (and increasingly focused) on making sure that its degree programs are highly rated. If there is a lot of plagiarism and cheating, the school cannot be successful.

veryWhat are the consequencesof being caught?The Carey Business School Honor Council hears and judges cases of cheating and plagiarism.The penalty for plagiarizing could beand has been:a warninga reduction in grade for the papera reduction in the course gradesuspension from the programexpulsion from the program

How is plagiarism monitored atCarey Business School?Faculty monitoring of plagiarism and cheating is increasing over time.TurnItInPlagiarism detection softwareFaculty experience and judgmentCases brought to the Honor Council.Increasingly, students are turning in their fellow students. Why? Because they want their degrees to be valued out in the world.

How can we avoidcommitting plagiarism?Learn to recognize it.Take good notes when you find a source you may want to use.Plagiarism matters in more than just class papers and assignments:Business PlansCase competition submissionsPowerPoint (slide) presentationsPoster session displays, etc.How can we avoidcommitting plagiarism?Get into the habit of introducing a quote or paraphrase by mentioning the name of the person who originally said it. For example, As Weisberg (2006) demonstrates, ---When in doubt, cite your source. Carey Business School uses American Psychological Association (APA) citation format (see handout for details & links)Include all cited sources in your bibliography.

How can we avoidcommitting plagiarism?Ask yourself: With each original idea, paraphrase, or quote in my paragraph, is it obvious to the imaginary reader, who said what?How can we avoidcommitting plagiarism?Youve got friends!Turn to your librarians to help you find more and better sources.Turn to your instructors or Writing Center staff to help you decide whether something is plagiarism.Common Knowledge& ParaphrasingDetails & Example for Practice What is Common Knowledge?Its a simple, basic fact.Its what an educated person would know, or what educated persons in a particular field or location know.Its a short phrase or saying from Shakespeare or the Bible (or somewhere else) that is widely known and used by many people.Common knowledge can be culture-specific. Keep in mind the culture in which the paper is being written, turned in, and graded.Paraphrasing GuidelinesUse a lead-in or identifying phrase that tells who and what you are summarizing.Use a quick description of the main points of the passage.Use your own words and phrasing. In most cases, avoid using any of the same wording.Add an in-text (parenthetical) reference at the end of the summary. E.g.: (Smith, 2006)Include a citation at the end of your paper (Works Cited).

Which of These isCommon Knowledge?John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States.

This is an undisputed fact, so you dont need a citation.Which of These isCommon Knowledge?The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second.

This is a universally known, simple basic fact, so you dont need citation.Which of These isCommon Knowledge?Dodson reports that, based on research conducted during the 1990s, over 80% of the worlds frogs are green.

This is a fact or estimate developed by a person or persons based on their research, and is not widely known. It needs a citation.

(By the way, it also IS NOT TRUE.)

Which of These isCommon Knowledge?The population of Saudi Arabia in 2011 was 28.1 million.

This is a number collected by someone. Dont assume it is universally agreed upon. It needs a citation.

Which of These isCommon Knowledge?Franz Boaz held the first academic appointment in Anthropology in the United States.

This is a fact generally known by everybody in the field of Anthropology and not disputed by anyone, so it does not need a citation.

Which of These isCommon Knowledge?Pride goes before a fall. (from the Old Testament Book of Proverbs).

This is a proverb or saying universally known by English speakers in the Judeo-Christian world and probably other languages. It does not need a citation.

Which of These isCommon Knowledge?Hell has three gates: lust, anger, and greed. (A quote from the Bhagavad Gita.)

In the context of North America, this quote is not widely known among the general population, so it probably should be cited when used within that context.

Which of These isCommon Knowledge?Babe Ruth was the first professional baseball player to hit 60 home runs in a season.

In American culture, this fact is almost universally known and is universally known among baseball followers. It doesnt need a citation.Paraphrasing Example:The Original QuoteAnnie Oakley's life spanned years of tremendous change for American women. By the time of her death in 1926, Americans were celebrating the liberated, urban focused, modern times of the Jazz Age. Women had won the right to vote, wore less restrictive clothes, and followed a changing ideal that was loosening some of the restrictions on women's roles and behavior that had reigned through the nineteenth century (Annie Oakley, 2008)Is This an Acceptable Paraphrase?Annie Oakleys life spanned years of significant changes for American women. By the time she died in 1926, women had the vote, wore looser clothing, and embraced the freedom from restrictive 19th century roles and behaviors.Annie Oakley's life spanned years of tremendous change for American women. By the time of her death in 1926, Americans were celebrating the liberated, urban focused, modern times of the Jazz Age. Women had won the right to vote, wore less restrictive clothes, and followed a changing ideal that was loosening some of the restrictions on women's roles and behavior that had reigned through the nineteenth century (Annie Oakley, 2008).Original QuoteNo, It Is NOT AcceptableThe underlined words are exactly the same as in the original quote. Thats too similar. And theres no citation!

Annie Oakleys life spanned years of significant changes for American women. By the time she died in 1926, women had the vote, wore looser clothing, and embraced the freedom from restrictive 19th century roles and behaviors.Annie Oakley's life spanned years of tremendous change for American women. By the time of her death in 1926, Americans were celebrating the liberated, urban focused, modern times of the Jazz Age. Women had won the right to vote, wore less restrictive clothes, and followed a changing ideal that was loosening some of the restrictions on women's roles and behavior that had reigned through the nineteenth century (Annie Oakley, 2008).Original QuoteHow About This Version?As discussed in the biography on PBSs American Experience web page, sharpshooter Annie Oakley lived through a period of many liberating changes for women, from the Victorian era through the first quarter of the 20th century. Examples include voting rights for women as well as the freedom to wear comfortable and practical clothing (Annie Oakley, 2008).Annie Oakley's life spanned years of tremendous change for American women. By the time of her death in 1926, Americans were celebrating the liberated, urban focused, modern times of the Jazz Age. Women had won the right to vote, wore less restrictive clothes, and followed a changing ideal that was loosening some of the restrictions on women's roles and behavior that had reigned through the nineteenth century (Annie Oakley, 2008).Original QuoteYes, This Version is OkayWhy?

The writer has introduced the paragraph by mentioning the source and summed up the ideas in his/her own words.For the References Listat the End of the PaperAnnie Oakley: In a Mans World: American Experience. (19 May 2008). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/oakley/sfeature/sf_excerpts.htmlAnother Paraphrasing Example:The Original QuoteBusiness communication is increasingly taking place internationally in all countries, among all peoples, and across all cultures. An awareness of other cultures of their languages, customs, experiences and perceptions as well as an awareness of the way in which other people conduct their business, are now essential ingredients of business communication (Chase, ORourke & Wallace, 2003, p.59). Is This an Acceptable Paraphrase?More and more business communication is taking place internationallyacross all countries, peoples, and cultures. Awareness of other cultures and the way in which people do business are essential parts of business communication (Chase, ORourke & Wallace, 2003, p.59).No, It Is NOT AcceptableWhy?

Too much of the original is quoted directly, with only a few words changed or omitted.

More and more business communication is taking place internationallyacross all countries, peoples, and cultures. Awareness of other cultures and the way in which people do business are essential parts of business communication (Chase, ORourke & Wallace, 2003, p.59).How About This Version?The importance of understanding the traditions, language, perceptions and the manner in which people of other cultures conduct their business should never be underestimated, and is a crucial component of business communication (Chase, ORourke & Wallace, 2003, p. 59).Yes, This is a Good Paraphrase!Why?

The originals ideas are summarized and expressed in the writers own words.For the References Listat the End of the PaperChase, P., ORourke, S., & Wallace, C. (2003). Effective business communication in New Zealand (2nd ed.). Auckland: Pearson Education.