Plagiarism - Understanding Integrity in the Academic World and Beyond...

Plagiarism.Org is an excellent website that teaches readers/viewers about plagiarism and the consequences of it, through videos and interesting articles.

Can words and ideas really be stolen...

Plagiarism is an act of FRAUD.
According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to "plagiarize" means:
-to steal and use ideas or words of another as your own
-to use another's work without crediting the source
-to commit literary theft
-to present "new" ideas that have been derived from an existing source

Plagiarism is not only exclusive to academic writing works but also counts as copying media such as videos, music and images from others.

(https://www.plagiarism.org/article/what-is-plagiarism)

Check out this fun and informative PowToon (By Susie Jolliffe) that outlines how we can go about recognizing and avoiding plagiarism.

Main Points:
1. Plagiarism involves copying from either print or digital sources without crediting the author.
2. Incorrectly paraphrasing without citing the original author is also plagiarism.
3. Incorrect or Incomplete citations is also deemed as plagiarism (Referencing styles are very important).
4. Understand fair use when using video content or music from others.

In this digital era with information readily at our fingertips, important delineations of content ownership are easily blurred. This infographic highlights the reality, consequences and solutions to avoid plagiarism.

Key Discussion Points:
1. Why do students plagiarise?

• Aren't familiar with citing correctly
• Unaware of proper ethical research procedures and standards

• "Cheating is OK" mentality

1. Most common types of plagiarism is by undergraduate students

2. Problems that may arise from plagiarism

3. There are academic and legal repercussions that need to be faced
4. Students don;t understand the goal of education and research

5. Inaccurate information may be learnt or shared

6. How can educators prevent plagiarism?

7. Enforce ethical standards
8. Teach students the importance of plagiarism
9. Teach paraphrasing techniques and tips

1. Direct Plagiarism
   Direct plagiarism occurs when content from someone elses work is used word-for-word without citing the author, and without any quotation marks.

2. Self Plagiarism
   Self-plagiarism occurs when a student re-submits parts of their own previous work in other modules/subjects/publications, without directly obtaining permission from the relevant lecturers involved.

3. Mosaic Plagiarism
   Mosaic Plagiarism occurs when phrases are copied or "borrowed" from a source without using any quotation marks. This also occurs when substituting synonyms whilst keeping to the same general word and sentence structure of the original authors content.

4. Accidental Plagiarism
   Accidental plagiarism occurs when an individual unintentionally omits citing or misquotes their sources. Incorrect paraphrasing using similar words without attribution also counts.

(https://www.bowdoin.edu/studentaffairs/academic-honesty/common-types.shtml)

Don't be termed a Plagiarist - The consequences surrounding plagiarism can be personal, professional, ethical, and legal. Plagiarism detection software such as Turnitin, allows guilty individuals to be caught easily and quickly.

1. Your reputation on an academic, personal and professional level can be destroyed.
2. There are legal and money repercussions.
3. Plagiarised research is extremely serious and could put others lives at risk if based on medical grounds of research.

(http://www.ithenticate.com/resources/6-consequences-of-plagiarism)

Professor Jonathan Zittrain closes the 5th International Plagiarism Conference, with a thought provoking keynote session on how to write in an internet environment.