Simone Lawson
The Harvard Guide to Using Sources provides an overview of what is expected of students in terms of source usage in college writing. It is imperative for students to understand what constitutes plagiarism, why it is considered a serious offense, and how to avoid it in their writing. Students are responsible for making clear distinctions between their ideas and the ideas of scholars who have informed their work. This involves keeping track of ideas from sources and understanding how their own ideas differ, as well as following the correct citation style. The guide emphasizes that copying language verbatim, paraphrasing without proper attribution, or failing to cite sources are all forms of plagiarism. Students are urged to consult relevant resources and ask questions to ensure responsible research practices and avoid plagiarism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Copying someone else's work verbatim | Plagiarism |
| Copying bits and pieces from a source, changing a few words without paraphrasing or quoting | Mosaic plagiarism |
| Failing to cite sources | Plagiarism |
| Failing to make clear distinctions between your ideas and the ideas of scholars who have informed your work | Mosaic plagiarism |
| Failing to keep records and create clear boundaries between your writing and sources | Plagiarism |
| Failing to acknowledge quotations or paraphrased material | Plagiarism |
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What You'll Learn
Verbatim plagiarism
To avoid verbatim plagiarism, it is essential to properly cite and quote sources. Direct quotations should be placed within quotation marks or indented, and the source should be clearly indicated through an in-text citation or footnote. Additionally, the use of electronic documents and online sources requires extra vigilance, as it is easy to cut and paste text without proper attribution. Students must be careful to label and cite electronic sources in their notes to avoid unintentionally claiming credit for another's ideas.
Harvard University's policy on plagiarism underscores the importance of proper citation and attribution. Students are expected to be familiar with the Harvard Guide to Using Sources and are responsible for learning the proper forms of citation. The university takes plagiarism very seriously, and students found to have plagiarised may face disciplinary action, including the requirement to withdraw from the college.
In conclusion, verbatim plagiarism is a serious academic offence that can be avoided through proper citation and quotation practices. Students should familiarise themselves with their academic institution's guidelines on plagiarism and citation to ensure the integrity of their work and to give proper credit to the sources they use.
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Mosaic plagiarism
To avoid mosaic plagiarism, students must learn to properly cite their sources and take careful and accurate notes when conducting research. They should be vigilant about keeping track of their sources and giving proper credit to the authors they use. When paraphrasing, it is important to fully understand the source material and rewrite it in your own words, rather than just changing a few words or phrases. Proper paraphrasing involves reading the source, thinking about it, and then expressing the idea in a completely different way while still citing the source.
Students should also be aware that mosaic plagiarism can occur even if they footnote their sources. It is not enough to simply cite some of the material used; students must make clear distinctions between their own ideas and the ideas of the scholars they have drawn from. This includes acknowledging all paraphrased material and placing quotations within quotation marks with full citations. By following these guidelines, students can help ensure that their work maintains academic integrity and gives proper credit to the sources they use.
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Understanding sources
Types of Sources
The term "sources" encompasses a diverse range of materials and formats. It includes both primary and secondary sources, which can be published in print or online. Additionally, information and opinions obtained directly from individuals through interviews, surveys, or personal communications are also considered sources. Recognizing the variety of sources available helps you broaden your research scope and effectively gather relevant information.
Citing Sources
Citing your sources is a fundamental aspect of academic integrity and scholarly communication. When you cite a source, you are acknowledging the contributions of other scholars or individuals to your work. This practice serves two main purposes. Firstly, it gives credit where credit is due, recognizing the hard work and ideas of others. Secondly, citations provide a roadmap for readers who may be interested in delving further into the topic. They allow readers to trace the development of your ideas and join the ongoing academic conversation.
Plagiarism and Mosaic Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious academic offence that involves using someone else's ideas or words without proper attribution. It includes verbatim copying, but also extends to mosaic plagiarism. Mosaic plagiarism occurs when you copy bits and pieces from one or multiple sources, making minor changes here and there, without adequately paraphrasing or quoting directly. It often arises from careless note-taking and blurred lines between your ideas and those of your sources. To avoid plagiarism, maintain clear distinctions between your ideas and the ideas of scholars who have influenced your work. Keep track of your sources, understand how your ideas differ, and follow the correct citation style.
Practical Tips for Source Usage
When working with sources, it is essential to allocate sufficient time for research, note-taking, and source integration. Carelessness due to time constraints and stress can lead to accidental plagiarism. Work with printed or pasted copies of your sources to facilitate annotation and deeper understanding. Keep your research notes and drafts even after submitting your work, as they provide evidence of your research process and help maintain clear boundaries between your writing and your sources.
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Citing sources
When writing papers in college, your work is held to the same standards of citation as that of your professors. Citing sources is an important way to acknowledge the work of other scholars and to give credit where it is due. It also provides a roadmap for readers who are interested in learning more about a topic and joining the ongoing conversation.
The term "sources" includes not only primary and secondary material published in print or online but also information and opinions gained directly from other people. Quotations must be placed within quotation marks and cited fully. In addition, all paraphrased material must be acknowledged. If you copy language word for word from another source and use it in your paper without proper quotation marks and citation, you are plagiarizing verbatim.
Mosaic plagiarism occurs when you copy bits and pieces from one or several sources, changing a few words here and there without adequately paraphrasing or quoting directly. This can happen as a result of careless note-taking and confusion over where your source's ideas end and your own begin. To avoid this, keep track of the ideas that come from your sources and understand how your own ideas differ.
To avoid plagiarism, it is important to budget enough time to search for sources, take notes, and think about how to use them in your essay. Work with a printed copy of your source(s) or paste online sources into a separate document as you draft your essay. This will help you annotate your sources effectively and decrease the risk of plagiarism. Keep all of your research notes and drafts, even after you've handed in your essay. These records will help you maintain clear boundaries between your writing and your sources.
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Record-keeping
Start by working with printed copies of your sources or, for online sources, paste the relevant content into a separate document. This allows you to annotate and engage actively with the source material. Take careful notes, clearly distinguishing between your ideas and the ideas of the scholars you are engaging with. Make sure to use quotation marks for direct quotations and acknowledge all paraphrased material. Keep a record of your sources, including full citation information, to ensure you can go back and verify the accuracy of your notes and drafts.
When taking notes, be mindful of the fine line between paraphrasing and mosaic plagiarism. Mosaic plagiarism occurs when you copy bits and pieces from a source or multiple sources, making minor changes here and there without adequately paraphrasing or quoting directly. To avoid this, strive for a clear understanding of the source's ideas and how they differ from your own. Always use your own words and sentence structures when possible, and be sure to cite your sources when using their ideas or language.
Additionally, leave yourself enough time to conduct your research and take notes well before the deadline. Carelessness due to time constraints can lead to accidental plagiarism or honest mistakes. By giving yourself ample time, you can approach your work with a clear mind and minimise the risk of plagiarism.
Finally, even after submitting your work, retain all research notes, drafts, and sources. This allows for transparency and accountability in your research process. It also enables you to reconstruct your thought process and the path you took from sources to notes to drafts and revisions. Such careful record-keeping demonstrates academic integrity and helps you develop good research habits.
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Frequently asked questions
Plagiarism is when you turn in a paper that was written by someone else, or include material from any source without citing that source. It also includes copying language word for word from another source and using it in your paper.
Mosaic plagiarism is when you copy bits and pieces from a source or several sources, changing a few words here and there without adequately paraphrasing or quoting directly.
To avoid plagiarism, you should keep track of the ideas that come from your sources and understand how your own ideas differ from those ideas. You should also follow the correct citation style and keep a record of your research notes and drafts. Additionally, you should budget enough time to search for sources, take notes, and think about how to use the sources in your essay. You can also work with a printed copy of your source or paste online sources into a separate document to decrease the risk of plagiarism. Remember that the responsibility for learning the proper forms of citation lies with the individual student. Citing sources allows scholars to give credit to other scholars for their hard work and their ideas, and acknowledges when they have relied upon or incorporated the work of others. Quotations must be placed within quotation marks and cited fully, and all paraphrased material must be acknowledged completely. If you have questions about plagiarism at any point in your research or writing process, ask!
