Plagiarism

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.

- Webster's Third New International Dictionary

Three Basic Varieties

1. Using another's words without giving credit.
2. Using another's ideas -- paraphrasing or simply changing words around -- without giving credit.
3. Citing sources that weren't used in the paper, or making up references.

Why Do Students Plagiarize?

• 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