Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else’s product, words, ideas or data as one’s own work, according to two new University Web sites. But sometimes the line between a student’s own work and the work of others can be blurry. For instance, is this article’s definition of plagiarism plagiarized?
According to the site: yes. Even though the information is attributed, it takes direct words from the site “Plagiarism for Students” without rewording it or quoting it directly.
The site, http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students, gives students examples of how to properly cite references in their papers such as direct quotes and paraphrasing. It also explains the University’s policy on the issue and what happens when students break the rules.
Knight Reference Librarian and site creator Robin Paynter said often students may not realize they are plagiarizing.
“You should know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it,” she said. “I wanted to give clear definitions and examples.”
Paynter said some faculty members she talked with were so worried about student plagiarism that they were reluctant to assign research papers. And because cutting and pasting information from the Internet was adding to the problem, Paynter decided to design the Web site.
“If people aren’t assigning research papers because of that fear, it affects the quality of education,” she said.
Plagiarism off the Internet makes up most of the academic integrity violations at the University, Director of Student Judicial Affairs Chris Loschiavo wrote in an e-mail.
“If people are cheating their way through school, that means they aren’t really learning what we say they are and when they get out into the workforce, they won’t be successful,” he said.
The University library system’s other new site, “The Naked Researcher,” features information about the process of doing research, said Colleen Bell, library instruction coordinator and co-creator of the site along with Paynter.
“I think undergraduates struggle a lot with the research process,” she said.
The site is a virtual version of an exhibit currently in the Knight Library. Bell said it was created because many students have anxiety about the research process. She wanted to help students get over their fears and let them know anxiety is a normal part of the process.
The site defines research as a science and an art. It uses Einstein’s Theory of Relativity as an example of how to form and connect ideas, Bell said.
It also gives students a five-week guide for writing a research paper by breaking down the process into weekly increments. Bell said it is important not to wait until the day before the paper is due to get started and to leave plenty of time for thought.
Related Links:
http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students
http://libweb.uoregon.edu/instruct/research/index.html
Chelsea Duncan is a freelance writer
for the Emerald.