Plagiarism:Plagiarism:

What it isWhat it is

Why it is a growing problemWhy it is a growing problem

How to avoid committing itHow to avoid committing it

What is Plagiarism?What is Plagiarism?

pla·gia·rismpla·gia·rism 1. The act of plagiarizing. 1. The act of plagiarizing. 2. Something plagiarized. 2. Something plagiarized.

n 1: a piece of writing that has been copied n 1: a piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as from someone else and is presented as being your own work 2: the act of being your own work 2: the act of plagiarizing; taking someone's words or plagiarizing; taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own [syn: ideas as if they were your own [syn: plagiarization, plagiarism, piracy]plagiarization, plagiarism, piracy]

Why is Plagiarism a Growing Why is Plagiarism a Growing Concern?Concern?

Simple. The Internet. The Internet is one Simple. The Internet. The Internet is one of the main sources of plagiarism now. of the main sources of plagiarism now. The forms of plagiarism range from The forms of plagiarism range from relatively innocent to outright thievery. relatively innocent to outright thievery.

Whether you are looking to purchase a Whether you are looking to purchase a paper or whether you are merely looking paper or whether you are merely looking for quick and easy information, the Internet for quick and easy information, the Internet opens a lot of students up to plagiarism.opens a lot of students up to plagiarism.

The USM Student Handbook The USM Student Handbook Defines Plagiarism As…Defines Plagiarism As…

“ “Plagiarism is scholarly theft, and it is defined as Plagiarism is scholarly theft, and it is defined as the unacknowledged use of secondary sources. the unacknowledged use of secondary sources. More specifically, any written or oral More specifically, any written or oral presentation in which the writer or speaker does presentation in which the writer or speaker does not distinguish clearly between original and not distinguish clearly between original and borrowed material constitutes plagiarism… borrowed material constitutes plagiarism… Because students, as scholars, must make Because students, as scholars, must make frequent use of the concepts and facts frequent use of the concepts and facts developed by other scholars, plagiarism is not developed by other scholars, plagiarism is not the mere use of another’s facts and ideas. the mere use of another’s facts and ideas. However, it is plagiarism when students present However, it is plagiarism when students present the work of other scholars as if it were their own the work of other scholars as if it were their own work.”work.”

How Online Plagiarism Is Being How Online Plagiarism Is Being FoughtFought

http://www.turnitin.comhttp://www.turnitin.com is one of many is one of many sources created to fight plagiarism. USM’s sources created to fight plagiarism. USM’s Department of English uses turnitin.comDepartment of English uses turnitin.comhttp://www.google.comhttp://www.google.com strangely enough, strangely enough, is sometimes more effective than the is sometimes more effective than the many online sites dedicated to finding many online sites dedicated to finding plagiarized material. Many professors plagiarized material. Many professors simply enter in suspicious phrases to simply enter in suspicious phrases to uncover results online.uncover results online.

How Online Plagiarism Is Being How Online Plagiarism Is Being Fought (cont.)Fought (cont.)

The following is from the webpage Plagiarism maintained by Sharon Stoerger, The following is from the webpage Plagiarism maintained by Sharon Stoerger, MLS, MBA:MLS, MBA:

“ “There are hundred of term paper companies doing business on the Web. There are hundred of term paper companies doing business on the Web. Most, if not all of the sites, claim that papers are to be used as models for Most, if not all of the sites, claim that papers are to be used as models for research and are not designed to promote plagiarism. Several term paper research and are not designed to promote plagiarism. Several term paper sites are owned by larger companies, like The Paper Store Enterprises sites are owned by larger companies, like The Paper Store Enterprises (http://www.paperwriters.com/intro.htm), and some even have ties to (http://www.paperwriters.com/intro.htm), and some even have ties to plagiarism detection software companies. For example, detection software plagiarism detection software companies. For example, detection software companies, PlagiServe (http://www.plagiserve.com) and EduTie companies, PlagiServe (http://www.plagiserve.com) and EduTie (http://www.edutie.com) have connections to term paper sites like (http://www.edutie.com) have connections to term paper sites like MightyStudents.com (http://www.mightystudents.com), Essaymill.com MightyStudents.com (http://www.mightystudents.com), Essaymill.com (http://www.essaymill.com) EssaysOnFile.com (http://www.essaymill.com) EssaysOnFile.com (http://www.essaysonfile.com) and TopEssays.com (http://www.essaysonfile.com) and TopEssays.com (http://www.topessays.com).”(http://www.topessays.com).”

So, in other words, some of these online ‘paper mills’ are actually So, in other words, some of these online ‘paper mills’ are actually working against you. Surprised?working against you. Surprised?

Two Forms of PlagiarismTwo Forms of Plagiarism

DeliberateDeliberate

AccidentalAccidental

Deliberate PlagiarismDeliberate Plagiarism

Committed when a student doubts his/her ability Committed when a student doubts his/her ability to complete a paper for a class. This could be to complete a paper for a class. This could be from a number of causes: a fear of writing, from a number of causes: a fear of writing, laziness, lack of time due to procrastination.laziness, lack of time due to procrastination.

This form of plagiarism is commonly committed This form of plagiarism is commonly committed by: using a friend’s paper, obtaining a paper by: using a friend’s paper, obtaining a paper from the Internet, stealing a paper from a from the Internet, stealing a paper from a campus computer lab (i.e. stealing draft from campus computer lab (i.e. stealing draft from trash, or using a copy saved to desktop.)trash, or using a copy saved to desktop.)

Accidental PlagiarismAccidental Plagiarism

Committed completely by accident by an Committed completely by accident by an honest student. (This is, by far, the MOST honest student. (This is, by far, the MOST COMMON form of plagiarism.)COMMON form of plagiarism.)

This form of plagiarism is commonly This form of plagiarism is commonly committed by: not fully understanding committed by: not fully understanding when something needs to be cited, when something needs to be cited, forgetting to cite a source (common with forgetting to cite a source (common with procrastination.)procrastination.)

Avoiding Accidental PlagiarismAvoiding Accidental Plagiarism

Cite as you type. Cite as you type. If you choose to summarize or If you choose to summarize or paraphrase, do not have the original paraphrase, do not have the original source in front of you.source in front of you.When finished, compare your paper to When finished, compare your paper to your source.your source.Keep documentation of your research Keep documentation of your research (CYA.)(CYA.)DO NOT PROCRASTINATEDO NOT PROCRASTINATE

Recommended Reading on Recommended Reading on PlagiarismPlagiarism

http://www.plagiarism.org/http://www.plagiarism.org/

One of the more popular online web pages One of the more popular online web pages dedicated to preventing plagiarism.dedicated to preventing plagiarism.

http://www.web-miner.com/plagiarismhttp://www.web-miner.com/plagiarism

Sharon Stoerger’s online compilation of Sharon Stoerger’s online compilation of recent publications concerning issues of recent publications concerning issues of plagiarism. plagiarism.

USM’s Online Plagiarism TutorialUSM’s Online Plagiarism Tutorial

http://www.lib.usm.edu/research/plag/plagiarismthttp://www.lib.usm.edu/research/plag/plagiarismtutorial.htmutorial.htm (This is linked from the library’s homepage.) (This is linked from the library’s homepage.) Select the tutorial on plagiarism.Select the tutorial on plagiarism.

Here you will find many clear examples of Here you will find many clear examples of plagiarism, paraphrasing, summary, etc. If you plagiarism, paraphrasing, summary, etc. If you wish, you may take the initial and final tests. wish, you may take the initial and final tests. (They’d like that, actually. It contributes to their (They’d like that, actually. It contributes to their study!)study!)

Three Ways to Incorporate Sources Three Ways to Incorporate Sources into Your Paperinto Your Paper

Direct QuotationDirect Quotation

ParaphraseParaphrase

SummarySummary

The Difference Between The Difference Between Paraphrase and SummaryParaphrase and Summary

par·a·phrasepar·a·phrase

1. A restatement of a text or passage in another 1. A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning. form or other words, often to clarify meaning.

2. The restatement of texts in other words as a 2. The restatement of texts in other words as a studying or teaching device. studying or teaching device.

sum·ma·rysum·ma·ry

1. Presenting the substance in a condensed 1. Presenting the substance in a condensed form; concise: form; concise: a summary review.a summary review.

The Following Tutorial on Acceptable vs. The Following Tutorial on Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Paraphrase Is Quoted from Unacceptable Paraphrase Is Quoted from Indiana University’s Writing Tutorial Indiana University’s Writing Tutorial Services, located online at:Services, located online at:

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlehttp://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtmlts/plagiarism.shtml

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Acceptable vs. Unacceptable ParaphraseParaphrase

Here’s the ORIGINAL text, from page 1 of Here’s the ORIGINAL text, from page 1 of Lizzie Borden: Lizzie Borden: A Case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890sA Case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890s by Joyce by Joyce Williams et al.:Williams et al.:The rise of industry, the growth of cities, and the The rise of industry, the growth of cities, and the expansion of the population were the three great expansion of the population were the three great developments of late nineteenth century American developments of late nineteenth century American history. As new, larger, steam-powered factories became history. As new, larger, steam-powered factories became a feature of the American landscape in the East, they a feature of the American landscape in the East, they transformed farm hands into industrial laborers, and transformed farm hands into industrial laborers, and provided jobs for a rising tide of immigrants. With provided jobs for a rising tide of immigrants. With industry came urbanization the growth of large cities (like industry came urbanization the growth of large cities (like Fall River, Massachusetts, where the Bordens lived) Fall River, Massachusetts, where the Bordens lived) which became the centers of production as well as of which became the centers of production as well as of commerce and trade.commerce and trade.

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Paraphrase (cont.)Paraphrase (cont.)

Here’s an UNACCEPTABLE paraphrase that is Here’s an UNACCEPTABLE paraphrase that is plagiarism:plagiarism:The increase of industry, the growth of cities, and the The increase of industry, the growth of cities, and the explosion of the population were three large factors of explosion of the population were three large factors of nineteenth century America. As steam-driven companies nineteenth century America. As steam-driven companies became more visible in the eastern part of the country, became more visible in the eastern part of the country, they changed farm hands into factory workers and they changed farm hands into factory workers and provided jobs for the large wave of immigrants. With provided jobs for the large wave of immigrants. With industry came the growth of large cities like Fall River industry came the growth of large cities like Fall River where the Bordens lived which turned into centers of where the Bordens lived which turned into centers of commerce and trade as well as production.commerce and trade as well as production.

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Paraphrase (cont.)Paraphrase (cont.)

What makes this passage plagiarism?What makes this passage plagiarism?The preceding passage is considered plagiarism for two The preceding passage is considered plagiarism for two

reasons:reasons:the writer has only changed around a few words and the writer has only changed around a few words and phrases, or changed the order of the original’s phrases, or changed the order of the original’s sentences. sentences. the writer has failed to cite a source for any of the ideas the writer has failed to cite a source for any of the ideas or facts. or facts.

If you do either or both of these things, you are If you do either or both of these things, you are plagiarizing.plagiarizing.

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Paraphrase (cont.)Paraphrase (cont.)

Here’s an ACCEPTABLE paraphrase:Here’s an ACCEPTABLE paraphrase:

Fall River, where the Borden family lived, was Fall River, where the Borden family lived, was typical of northeastern industrial cities of the typical of northeastern industrial cities of the nineteenth century. Steam-powered production nineteenth century. Steam-powered production had shifted labor from agriculture to had shifted labor from agriculture to manufacturing, and as immigrants arrived in the manufacturing, and as immigrants arrived in the US, they found work in these new factories. As a US, they found work in these new factories. As a result, populations grew, and large urban areas result, populations grew, and large urban areas arose. Fall River was one of these arose. Fall River was one of these manufacturing and commercial centers (Williams manufacturing and commercial centers (Williams 1). 1).

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Paraphrase (cont.)Paraphrase (cont.)

Why is this passage acceptable?Why is this passage acceptable?

This is acceptable paraphrasing because This is acceptable paraphrasing because the writer:the writer:

accurately relays the information in the accurately relays the information in the originaloriginaluses her own words. uses her own words.

lets her reader know the source of her lets her reader know the source of her information. information.

Recommended Reading on APARecommended Reading on APA

USM Library’s Online APA Style Guide: USM Library’s Online APA Style Guide: http://www.lib.usm.edu/research/guides/aphttp://www.lib.usm.edu/research/guides/apa.htmla.html

Indiana University’s Online APA Style Indiana University’s Online APA Style Guide:Guide:

http://http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/apa_stylwww.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/apa_style.shtmle.shtml

Citing Electronic SourcesCiting Electronic Sources

1.1. Direct readers as closely as possible to Direct readers as closely as possible to the information being cited – whenever the information being cited – whenever possible, reference specific documents possible, reference specific documents rather than home or menu pages.rather than home or menu pages.

2.2. Provide addresses that work.Provide addresses that work.

Citing Electronic Sources (cont.)Citing Electronic Sources (cont.)

Name of author, last name first.Name of author, last name first.Date of publication, in parenthesis.Date of publication, in parenthesis.Title of Article.Title of Article.Journal it is from, in italics.Journal it is from, in italics.Date you retrieved the articleDate you retrieved the articleFinally, the URLFinally, the URLEntry should be double-spaced and all Entry should be double-spaced and all lines after the first indented with one tab.lines after the first indented with one tab.

VandenBos, G., Knapp, S., & Doe, J. VandenBos, G., Knapp, S., & Doe, J.

(2001). Role of reference elements in the (2001). Role of reference elements in the

selection of resources by psychology selection of resources by psychology

undergraduates [Electronic version]. undergraduates [Electronic version].

Journal of Bibliographic Research, Journal of Bibliographic Research, 5, 117-5, 117-

123. Retrieved October 13, 2001, from 123. Retrieved October 13, 2001, from

http://jbr.org/articles.htmlhttp://jbr.org/articles.html

Citing Electronic Sources (cont.)Citing Electronic Sources (cont.)

Your AssignmentYour Assignment

You will write a research paper using the You will write a research paper using the guidelines provided by Dr. Miller.guidelines provided by Dr. Miller.

Use APA guidelines to document your Use APA guidelines to document your sources.sources.

Provide photocopies of all sources.Provide photocopies of all sources.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Dictionary.com. www.dictionary.comDictionary.com. www.dictionary.com

Stoerger, Shanon. Plagiarism. September 30, 2002 Updated Stoerger, Shanon. Plagiarism. September 30, 2002 Updated February 26, 2005. Retrieved March 4, 2005 from February 26, 2005. Retrieved March 4, 2005 from http://www.web-miner.com/plagiarism.http://www.web-miner.com/plagiarism.

The University of Southern Mississippi Student Handbook, The University of Southern Mississippi Student Handbook, 75-76. Retrieved March 5, 2005 from 75-76. Retrieved March 5, 2005 from http://www.usm.edu/pubs/studenthandbook/http://www.usm.edu/pubs/studenthandbook/

Writing Tutorial Services. The University of Indiana. Writing Tutorial Services. The University of Indiana. Retrieved March 4, 2005 from Retrieved March 4, 2005 from http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/apa_style.shtmlhttp://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/apa_style.shtml

Questions?Questions?

Shellie Hubbard, MAShellie Hubbard, MADegree Auditor, Office of the University RegistrarDegree Auditor, Office of the University RegistrarPhD student – English (Creative Writing Emphasis)PhD student – English (Creative Writing Emphasis)srhubbard@usm.edusrhubbard@usm.edu