Academic Honesty: Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is when you use the work or ideas of someone else in your own work without giving credit to the original source. Sometimes people intentionally cheat by trying to pass a paper as their own work, but, very often, plagiarism happens by accident. Regardless of the intention, plagiarism can have serious consequences. The UHD Student Handbook includes an Academic Honesty Policy (PS 03.A.19) with a definition of plagiarism and procedures for faculty to follow when they suspect a student may have plagiarized or cheated on a paper. Penalties for plagiarism can include a failing grade (F) for a course.

What Actions Are Considered Plagiarism?

The Online Writing Center at Purdue University lists some common examples of plagiarism:

• If you buy, steal, or borrow a paper and turn it in as your own.
• If you hire someone to write a paper for you, then turn it in as your own.
• If you use a source too closely when you are doing a paraphrase.
• If you build on someone’s ideas without citing or giving proper credit.
• If you copy from another source without proper credit.

Note that teachers and administrators usually do not distinguish between accidental and intentional plagiarism.

Both types are viewed as grave actions.

Where Can I Learn More About Plagiarism?

On campus, you can ask your professor. You can also visit the UHD Writing Center (N-925). The Writing Center tutors can help with any stage of writing, including helping you avoid plagiarism.

On the Web, there are various sources of information for students to learn about plagiarism. These include the following:

• Using Sources (Hamilton College) (PDF)
  A good summary of the basic rules.
  
  
• The Lemonade Plagiarism Tutorial
  Professor Sherman Dorn of the University of South Florida answers commonly questions.
  
  
• Understanding Plagiarism (Indiana University)
  Test your knowledge of plagiarism and find resources about how to recognize it.

 

 

Back to: Research & Writing Tips

 

 

W.I. Dykes Library • University of Houston-Downtown
One Main Street • Houston, Texas 77002
Information 713-221-8187 • Circulation 713-221-8186

 

Page maintained by UHD Library Webmaster

Last updated or reviewed on 1/29/09