What is Plagiarism?
From Webster's Third New International Dictionary: Plagiarize - \'pla-je-,riz also j - -\ vb -rized; -riz·ing vt [plagiary] : to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (a created production) without crediting the source vi: to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.
Three Basic Varieties
- Using another's words without giving credit.
- Using another's ideas -- paraphrasing or simply changing words around -- without giving credit.
- Citing sources that weren't used in the paper, or making up references.
Why Do Students Plagiarize?
From the University of Alberta Libraries:
- Lack of research skills
- Problems evaluating Internet sources
- Confusion between plagiarism and paraphrasing
- Careless notetaking
- Confusion about how to properly cite sources
- External factors (pressure from family/peers; attitudes toward school, etc.)
- Internal factors (poor time management, lack of organization, etc.)
- Culturally based attitudes toward plagiarism
How Do They Plagiarize?
- Cutting and pasting text from online resources, including library databases
- Using internet-based paper mills
- Re-using another student's work
- Copying from books and reference materials