Research Help: Plagiarism & Academic Integrity

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism occurs when you use someone else's words, ideas, or thoughts without giving proper credit. It can be intentional or accidental and takes various forms.

• Quoting - Use an author’s exact words if they strengthen your argument. Enclose the quoted text in quotation marks and provide a citation immediately after.

• Paraphrasing - Rephrase an author’s ideas in your own words. Ensure your version differs significantly from the original and cite the source right after the paraphrased text.

• Borrowing Information - Always cite the original source, even if the information is used differently from its original purpose. Cite sources for both the ideas and their organization if applicable.

• Common Knowledge - Information widely known does not need citation. If unsure whether something is common knowledge, it’s safer to cite the source.

• Collaborative Papers - In group projects, do not reuse or submit the paper for other assignments. Properly cite any information used from collaborative work.

• Accidental Plagiarism - Compare your writing with original sources to avoid unintentional plagiarism.

• Documenting Spoken Words - Cite personal communications, speeches, interviews, and other spoken sources appropriately. Consult style manuals for correct citation formats.

• Cite Everything - When in doubt, cite your sources. It may seem excessive, but instructors value thoroughness and the demonstration of your research process.

• Micro-Paraphrasing - Break down and rephrase ideas into your own words through micro-paraphrasing. This technique ensures a deeper understanding and original expression of the source material. For more on micro-paraphrasing, check out the NoodleTools Blog.

Instructors should include a clear policy in their syllabus regarding the use of artificial intelligence tools. This policy should outline acceptable uses of AI and specify if the instructor will use tools to identify AI-generated content in student work.