Citing and Writing to
Prevent Plagiarism
Kean University Library
Spreading the Word Team
What is Plagiarism?
“To steal and pass off
(the ideas or words of
another) as one's own
: use (another's
production) without
crediting the source.”
PLAGIARISM
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=ultimun
What is Plagiarism?
Definition according to
Kean University Academic Integrity document
“Plagiarism occurs when a person
represents someone else’s words,
ideas, phrases, sentences, or data
as one’s own work.”
http://www.kean.edu/forms/AcademicIntegrity.pdf
Intentional plagiarism:




Copying words or ideas from others and
using as your own
Cutting and pasting information without citing
Buying or borrowing a written work by
someone else and submitting it as your
work
Using videos, audio recorder or other media
without citing
Plagiarism.org http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/educational_tips.html
Unintentional plagiarism:






Citing incorrectly, Omitting citations
Deficient of knowledge and understanding of how
paraphrase
Failure to use your own “voice”
Extremely use of Quotations
Inexperienced writers and language
issues.
Citing incorrectly, Omitting citations
Plagiarism.org http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/educational_tips.html
Kean University
Academic
Integrity policy
http://www.kean.edu/forms/AcademicIntegrity.pdf
Kean University
Academic Integrity Policy
Consequences if you plagiarize
Violations of academic
integrity are classified into
four categories based on
the level of seriousness of
the behaviors.
Level 1 Violations
Example:
- Improper footnoting or unauthorized
assistance with academic work on the part of a
first-year student.
Recommended Penalty: make-up assignment
at a more difficult level or assignment of nocredit for work in question, required attendance
at a workshop on preparation of term papers, or
a library assignment on preparation of term
papers.
Level 2 Violations
Example:
- Quoting directly or paraphrasing without
proper acknowledgment (cite) on a small
portion of the assignment
- Failing to acknowledge (cite) all sources of
information and contributors who helped with
an assignment.
Recommended penalty: A failing grade on the
assignment and/or in the course.
Level 3 Violations
Example:
- Plagiarizing major portions of an assignment
- Using a purchased term paper
- Presenting the work of another as one’s own
Recommended penalty: Probation or
suspension from the University for one or more
semesters with a notation of “disciplinary
suspension” placed in a student’s record and/or
a failing grade in the course.
Level 4 Violations
Example:
- Any degree of falsification or plagiarism
relating to a senior or graduate thesis
- infractions involving academic integrity
committed after return from suspension for a
previous violation.
Recommended penalty: Expulsion from the
university and a permanent dismissal notation
on the student’s internal transcript
How can we find the source of
Plagiarized papers?


Google or other engine
search systemsSearching part of the
student work, like a
phrase or sentence.
Submitting the student
work to Turnitin.com or
other plagiarism detection
service or software.
How to avoid plagiarism?
You avoid plagiarism by giving
credit (cite) to the person or
persons that created the words,
ideas, images, sounds, or any
creative expression.
What is a Citation?
The act of citing or quoting a passage from a
book or other reference. A passage cited;
quotation. A quotation showing a particular
word or phrase in context. Mention or
enumeration.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=ultimun
Why use citation?
 To
prevent plagiarism
 To write with authority
 To make possible for your
readers to locate your source
 To demonstrate your knowledge
acquisition
 To show your ethical values
Exception for citation
You do not have to
document information or
fact considered
“common knowledge”
Common knowledge
Facts that can be found in
numerous places and are likely
to be known by a lot of people.
Examples of common knowledge
 The
Emancipation Proclamation was
sign by President Abraham Lincoln.
 On July 4, 1776, the Second
Continental Congress approved the
Declaration of Independence.
When you don’t know if the information
is “common knowledge”, use citation.
You don’t need to cite when:
 You
are using common knowledge
 You are discussing your own opinions,
experiences, observations, or reactions
 Compiling the results of your original
research, science experimentations,
social or psychological observations,
etc.
You have to cite when :



Summarizing
Paraphrasing
Quoting
References
- Harris, Robert. (2004). Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for
Research Papers. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from
http://www.virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm
- Kean University, (2006). Kean University Academic
POLICY. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from
http://www.kean.edu/forms/AcademicIntegrity.pdf
- Lexico Publishing. (2008). citation. (n.d.). MerriamWebster's Dictionary of Law. Retrieved March 17, 2008,
from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/citation
- Lexico Publishing. (2008). plagiarism. (n.d.). MerriamWebster's Dictionary of Law. Retrieved March 17, 2008,
from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/citation
References
- Plagiarism.org . (2008). Educational tips on plagiarism
prevention. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from
http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/educational_ti
ps.html
- Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (2006). APA
formatting and style guide. Retrieved March 18, 2008,
from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
- Sharka, Jane. (2007). Plagiarism Stopper: A Teacher’s
Guide. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from
http://www.ncusd203.org/central/html/where/plagiarism_
stoppers.html
- Standler, Ronald B. (2000). Plagiarism in Colleges in
USA. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from
http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm
Kean University Library
Citing and Writing to Prevent
Plagiarism
Copyright © 2008
by Janette González
Reference Librarian