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Inform

Introduction

In seeking to prevent plagiarism, faculty should inform students about relevant policies, consequences, and available resources.

Policies

  • A policy about what constitutes plagiarism should be included in the course syllabus and discussed in class.Here’s a sample of an academic integrity statement from Turnitin, which includes both definition and consequence:“Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic trust. In academic work, our words and ideas are the value of our work, so turning in someone else’s work as if it were your own is a form of theft. When you use someone else’s words and ideas–whether it’s the work of a famous writer or a fellow student–without crediting the source or authorship of those words and ideas, you are plagiarizing. So here’s the bottom line: original work only, credit to ideas, writing, or words from someone other than you. Plagiarized work will automatically receive a “0” or “F” for the assignment.” 
    Turnitin: How to Address Academic Integrity in Your Course Syllabus
  • Here is an example from an Alliant syllabus:
    Academic Code of Conduct and EthicsThe University is committed to principles of scholastic honesty. Its members are expected to abide by ethical standards both in their conduct and in their exercise of responsibility towards other members of the community. Each student’s conduct is expected to be in accordance with the standards of the University. The complete Academic Code, which covers acts of misconduct including assistance during examination, fabrication of da ta, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, and assisting other students in acts of misconduct, among others, may be found in the University Catalog.​​​​​​​An act of plagiarism (defined in the University catalog as “Any passing off of another’s ideas, words, or work as one’s own”) is considered to be a violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct and Ethics: Academicand will be addressed using the Policies and Procedures outlined in the University’s Catalog located at http://catalog.alliant.edu. The instructor in this course reserves the right to use computerized detection systems to help prevent plagiarism.

Avoiding Plagiarism

It is important to provide students with examples of both plagiarism and correct ways to present and cite material. Here are some examples:

Collaboration

Given the prevalence of group projects and students sharing information, it is important to have a syllabus policy on allowable collaboration.

  • Collaboration: When You Can and When You Can’t Work with Others
    This site provides an example of university policy on student collaboration.
    University of California/Davis Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs.
  • Collaboration
    This site provides examples of course collaboration policies.
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Academic Integrity at MIT.
  • Academic Integrity
    This site presents a series of videos with students discussing collaboration.
    ​​​​​​​Princeton University Office of the Dean of the College

Consequences

Students should be clear about the consequences of plagiarism, both in a course and for their standing in the program/university. Below is a link to the policy in the Alliant Catalog.

  • Student Code of Conduct and Ethics – Academic
    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Plagiarism: Any passing off or presentation of another’s ideas, words, or work as one’s own. Paraphrasing or small changes in nomenclature/phrasing does not remove any student’s responsibility to cite the original source. Any idea that is not the student’s or common knowledge must be properly referenced.

Student Support Services

Students plagiarize for many reasons, including ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism, time pressures, poor research and note taking skills, and anxiety about their writing. Therefore, it is a good practice to inform student of relevant student support services.

  • ​​​​​​​At Alliant, writing assistance is provided through Brainfuse services ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Brainfuse

  • Writing support can also be accessed through the Alliant Academic Support Center

Alliant Academic Support Center

Student Resources on How to Avoid Plagiarism

Many sites provide information for students on how to avoid plagiarism. You can provide some of these links to your students:

Tutorials

Tutorials can also helpful in teaching students about plagiarism.