Eleanor Finch
Plagiarism is a serious academic offence, and it is essential to understand what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it. Plagiarism is defined as the act of intentionally or unintentionally submitting work written by someone else without adequate citation or attribution. This includes copying language verbatim, paraphrasing ideas, or even using information gained from other people without proper acknowledgement. Harvard University's guide to using sources provides comprehensive instructions on avoiding plagiarism, emphasising the importance of clear and proper citations, keeping careful research notes, and understanding the boundaries between one's ideas and those of the sources. Students are urged to consult their instructors and resident deans to ensure they produce original work and correctly attribute external sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Copying work from a classmate | Plagiarism |
| Buying a paper from the internet | Plagiarism |
| Copying whole passages from a book, article, or website without citing the author | Plagiarism |
| Copying language word for word from another source | Plagiarism |
| Copying bits and pieces from a source (or several sources), changing a few words here and there without adequately paraphrasing or quoting directly | Plagiarism (mosaic plagiarism) |
| Failing to cite sources or citing them inadequately | Plagiarism |
| Submitting work that is not your own | Plagiarism |
| Submitting work without clear attribution to its sources | Plagiarism |
| Failing to distinguish your own ideas and knowledge from information derived from sources | Plagiarism |
| Failing to place quotations in quotation marks and cite fully | Plagiarism |
| Failing to acknowledge all paraphrased material | Plagiarism |
| Failing to indicate sources when ideas or facts are derived from a student’s reading and research or from a student’s own writings | Plagiarism |
| Failing to keep research notes separate from the actual draft | Risk of plagiarism |
| Failing to keep track of sources in notes and successive drafts | Risk of plagiarism |
| Failing to leave sufficient time for referencing before submitting an assignment | Risk of plagiarism |
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What You'll Learn
Copying without crediting
According to the Harvard Guide to Using Sources, copying language word-for-word from another source and using it in your paper without proper quotation marks and citation is considered plagiarism. Even if you write down your own ideas and mix them with text from another source, you must still give credit to the original author. This can be done by using quotation marks and providing a clear citation, or by paraphrasing the source material and citing it properly.
Mosaic plagiarism is another form of copying without crediting. It occurs when students copy bits and pieces from one or multiple sources, changing a few words here and there, without adequately paraphrasing or quoting directly. This can happen due to careless note-taking, confusion over the boundaries between one's own ideas and those of the source, or cutting and pasting from electronic documents without proper labelling. To avoid mosaic plagiarism, students should keep their research notes separate from their drafts, clearly distinguish their own ideas from those of the source, and provide proper citations.
To prevent copying without crediting, Harvard University recommends that students consult their instructors and Resident Dean if they have any doubts about their academic work. Students are expected to be familiar with the Harvard Guide to Using Sources and are responsible for learning the proper forms of citation. By following these guidelines, students can ensure that they are properly acknowledging the work of others and maintaining academic integrity.
In addition to academic writing, copying without crediting can also occur in other forms, such as audio or visual plagiarism. This includes copying lyrics, photos, images, or designs without providing proper credit to the original source. Self-plagiarism is also considered an academic offence, where students submit their own previous work for a new module or course without indicating that it is not new content. It is important for students to be aware of the different forms that plagiarism can take and to always give credit where it is due.
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Inadequate paraphrasing
To avoid inadequate paraphrasing, it is important to understand the boundaries between your own ideas and those of your sources. This can be achieved by keeping your research notes separate from your draft and clearly labelling your sources. When paraphrasing, it is recommended to first paste the original quotation into your notes and then rewrite it in your own words, ensuring that you still provide a clear citation.
Mosaic plagiarism occurs when you copy bits and pieces from a source (or multiple sources), changing a few words here and there without adequately paraphrasing or quoting directly. This can happen unintentionally due to careless note-taking or confusion over the origin of ideas. It is crucial to take careful notes, properly attribute quotations, and distinguish between your ideas and those of the scholars who have influenced your work.
In academic writing, it is always better to be cautious and provide too many citations rather than too few. By properly citing your sources, you give credit to the original authors and avoid any potential plagiarism charges. Remember that plagiarism is a serious academic offence, and it is your responsibility to learn and follow the proper forms of citation.
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Unacknowledged use
When using sources in academic writing, it is crucial to provide clear and proper citations. This applies not only to direct quotations but also to paraphrasing and summarising ideas or information derived from those sources. Failing to do so constitutes plagiarism, even if it is done unintentionally. It is important to understand that plagiarism is not just about copying and pasting text from a source but also involves using the ideas, language, or unique expressions of another person without proper attribution.
To avoid unacknowledged use, students should be vigilant about keeping track of their sources and distinguishing their own ideas from those of their sources. This can be achieved by taking careful notes, using separate documents for each source, and clearly indicating quotations, paraphrases, and summaries in their notes. Additionally, students should consult style guides, such as the Harvard Guide to Using Sources, to learn the proper forms of citation and referencing for their specific discipline or field.
Instructors and Resident Deans are also available to provide guidance on the preparation of academic work and can help students navigate any questions or concerns regarding plagiarism and the proper use of sources. By following these guidelines and seeking support when needed, students can ensure that they are properly acknowledging the work of others and maintaining academic integrity in their own work.
In conclusion, unacknowledged use is a serious academic offence that can be avoided through careful note-taking, clear citations, and a thorough understanding of proper attribution and referencing practices. By recognising the importance of acknowledging the work of others, students can maintain academic integrity and avoid the consequences associated with plagiarism.
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Self-plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as the act of either intentionally or unintentionally submitting work written by someone else. It is considered plagiarism in academic writing to draw on any idea or language from someone else without adequately crediting that source in your paper. This includes copying language verbatim from another source, even if you write down your own ideas and place them around the text. In this case, you must give credit to the author of the source material by placing the source material in quotation marks and providing a clear citation, or by paraphrasing the source material and providing a clear citation. The kind of source you use or the absence of an author linked to that source does not change the fact that you always need to cite your sources.
To avoid self-plagiarism, authors should be mindful of their previous work and ensure that any reuse of text, data, or other elements is appropriately cited and justified. This includes paraphrasing or summarizing previous work and providing in-text citations or footnotes indicating the source. Additionally, authors should strive to contribute new insights or perspectives in their current work, building upon their previous research rather than simply replicating it.
It is worth noting that self-plagiarism can have negative consequences in academic settings. Disciplinary actions may be taken if an institution has policies against self-plagiarism, and it may result in reputational damage for the author. Therefore, it is essential for students and researchers to be aware of the guidelines and standards set by their academic institutions regarding self-plagiarism to ensure academic integrity and ethical research practices.
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Disciplinary action
Harvard University has a strict policy on plagiarism and considers it a serious violation of academic integrity. Disciplinary actions for plagiarism can include a requirement to withdraw from the course or the college. Students are expected to understand and uphold high standards of academic integrity, and any breach of these standards will be subject to review by the Administrative Board.
Harvard defines plagiarism as drawing on someone else's ideas or language without adequately crediting the source. This includes copying verbatim, paraphrasing without proper citation, and even using ideas from other students or websites without clear authorship. Mosaic plagiarism occurs when bits and pieces are copied from a source or multiple sources with a few changes but without adequate paraphrasing or quoting. To avoid this, students must keep track of their sources and clearly distinguish their own ideas and language from those of their sources.
Students are urged to consult their Resident Dean or instructors if they have any questions or concerns about plagiarism before submitting their work. Once the final work is submitted, students will be held responsible for any misuse of sources. Students who submit work that is not their own or without clear attribution will be subject to disciplinary action.
In addition to plagiarism, Harvard also considers fabrication and falsification as serious violations of academic integrity. Fabrication is the intentional act of making up data, results, or quotes, while falsification involves manipulating research by distorting or omitting important data. These violations are also subject to review by the Administrative Board and can result in disciplinary actions.
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Frequently asked questions
Plagiarism is the act of taking credit for someone else's work, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It involves submitting work that was written by someone else or including material from a source without citing that source.
Examples of plagiarism include copying a paper from a classmate, buying a paper from the internet, copying whole passages from a book/article/website without citing the author, copying language verbatim from another source, and mosaic plagiarism, which involves copying bits and pieces from a source, changing a few words, and claiming them as your own ideas.
Plagiarism is considered a serious offense in academia because it constitutes stealing someone else's intellectual property. It undermines the integrity of scholarly work and violates the principles of academic honesty.
To avoid plagiarism, keep your research notes separate from your draft. Always cite your sources using the appropriate style guide, such as Harvard referencing. When paraphrasing, it is good practice to first paste the quotation into your notes and then paraphrase it, ensuring you understand and give credit to the original idea.
Plagiarism at Harvard can lead to disciplinary action, up to and including the requirement to withdraw from the college. Students are expected to be familiar with the Harvard Guide to Using Sources and are responsible for learning the proper forms of citation.
