Plagiarism
Visit the Madonna University Writing Center’s Plagiarism page to learn more about plagiarism in academic writing!
Revised 03/2021
What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of someone else as if they are your own words, without crediting the original writer.
There are many different ways to plagiarize in your papers. Watch this video from Scribbr to learn more about the types of plagiarism you may encounter throughout your academic career.
What is Academic Integrity?
Academic integrity is the commitment of students, professors, and staff at academic institutions to demonstrate honest behavior in academic settings. This includes acknowledging the contributions of others in your work and refraining from committing plagiarism. The consequences for violating academic integrity can be very serious, including suspension or expulsion.
Madonna University calls this Scholastic Integrity and Research Integrity in the Undergraduate Catalog. The catalog states that “When a student uses the words, ideas, or information of another person or source without correctly giving credit to that source, he or she is violating the ethical code of Madonna University” (Madonna University, 2019).
What are Some Tips to Avoid Plagiarising?
How do I Avoid Plagiarism Through Citing?
Cite your sources when:
- Referring to a source or using someone else’s opinions, thoughts, and ideas.
- Using and image/media that you did not create.
Citing your sources:
- Gives credit to the authors.
- Creates access to the materials for other users.
- Provides evidence of your research process.
- Is the ethical and standard practice for writers.
No citations are needed when:
- Stating your own thoughts and interpretations.
- Using common knowledge information.
- Personal observations and experiences
How Do Quoting, Summarizing, and Paraphrasing Help Avoid Plagiarism?
Learning how to use direct quotations, summarizing,
and paraphrasing is essential to avoiding plagiarism. To learn more
about these ways to use other people’s ideas watch this video from PALNI.
It is difficult understanding which technique to use to avoid plagiarism. Here are some tips on when and how to use quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing:
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Use the Madonna Writing Center’s Safe Assign draft checking software to see whether you have unconsciously plagiarized material. Note: Plagiarism checkers are not 100% accurate, so use your own judgement with the results.
The following online resources are recommended:
- Avoiding Plagiarism - Purdue OWL
- Avoiding Plagiarism, Self-plagiarism, and Other Questionable Writing Practices: A Guide to Ethical Writing – The Office of Research Integrity
- International Center for Academic Integrity
- Introduction to Academic Integrity – University of Michigan
- A Guide to Plagiarism and Paraphrasing – Purdue University Global
- Plagiarism.org
- Understanding Academic Integrity
Tutorials and Tests:
- Acknowledging Sources Tutorial – University of Texas Arlington Libraries
- Indian University Plagiarism Tutorials and Tests
- Plagiarism Game – Lycoming College
- Plagiarism Self-Test – Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin
- Plagiarism Tutorial – Acadia University