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AVOIDING PLAGIARISM

HOW TO AVOID PLAGIARISM

Knowing why plagiarism is taken seriously in academia and being able to recognize it are important first steps, but it’s just as crucial to understand how to avoid it. Plagiarism can be intentional or accidental, and the consequences in either case can be severe.

Avoiding Intentional Plagiarism
The easiest form of plagiarism to prevent is intentional. This includes actions like copying a classmate's paper, buying an essay online, or using passages from books, articles, or websites without proper citation. The key advice is simple: resist the urge to plagiarize, even when you're feeling stressed, unsure about an assignment, or pressed for time. The short-term problems you think you’re solving, like submitting late work or turning in something you're not proud of, are far less serious than the long-term consequences of academic dishonesty. In fact, the risks of plagiarism far outweigh the discomfort of submitting a less-than-perfect or delayed paper.

Avoiding Accidental Plagiarism
Even unintentional plagiarism can lead to serious consequences. Whether accidental or deliberate, you are still responsible for your work. As part of the academic community, you’re expected to respect others’ intellectual property, just as you would any other form of property.

To avoid accidental plagiarism, it’s essential to stay organized and systematic throughout your research and writing process. First, ensure you fully understand the topic, the question you’re answering, and the sources you’re using. This will help you use them correctly while keeping your own voice central. Take careful, clear notes, always distinguishing between your own ideas and those of others. This will prevent confusion as you write.

When In Doubt, Cite Your Sources
If you’re ever unsure about how to cite a source, do so anyway. Proper citation is key to acknowledging the original authors and preventing unintentional misuse of their ideas. If you're uncertain about citation practices, ask for help. It’s always better to clarify your doubts before submitting your work than risk submitting something that may contain accidental plagiarism. Once your work is handed in, you are responsible for how you’ve used your sources. Taking the time to get it right is always worth it.

IE Code of Ethical Conduct

Keeping these principles in mind, here are some key guidelines for conducting research with integrity:

Start early and plan ahead:

Start your research and writing process early. Planning ahead gives you enough time to gather, organize, and track your sources carefully, reducing the temptation to rush or plagiarize due to time pressure.

Organize and label your sources:

Keep a detailed record of all your sources, both printed and electronic. Label your sources clearly and consistently to avoid confusion later. For electronic sources, print a copy or save the webpage for reference. This way, you’ll have everything organized when it's time to cite your sources properly.

Ensure proper context for your sources:

Ensure you understand the full context of the information you're using. When you take notes or refer to a source, keep it within the context in which it was originally presented to avoid misinterpretation or misattribution.

Separate your notes from your draft:

Work with either printed copies of your sources or, if using online sources, paste them into a separate document rather than working directly from the web. This helps to avoid accidentally copying and pasting material into your essay without proper citation.

Paraphrase with care and attribute properly:

When paraphrasing, first paste the original material into your notes, then paraphrase it in your own words. This process helps ensure you understand the material and are using it purposefully. Always include the author's name and citation information in your notes, and indicate that the material is paraphrased. This will help you avoid confusion later and ensure proper attribution.

Avoid blending paraphrases with your own ideas:

Be cautious when paraphrasing. Over time, as you revise, you might accidentally lose sight of the fact that certain material is paraphrased. To avoid this, regularly check that you’re maintaining the boundaries between your own ideas and those drawn from sources. Also, avoid excessive paraphrasing, where your essay may end up being a string of paraphrases instead of your own original thought.

Quote correctly and always use quotation marks:

Always use quotation marks for directly quoted material, even for short phrases or key terms. This is essential to ensure that any verbatim text is clearly distinguished from your own writing.

Cite sources immediately as you use them:

Always cite your sources immediately as you use them. Add citations directly in your notes, drafts, and response papers. This practice ensures you don’t forget where an idea or quotation came from, reducing the risk of accidental plagiarism.

Be careful when reviewing classmates' work:

While peer review can be valuable for feedback, reading a classmate's paper because you're stuck may lead you to unconsciously adopt their ideas as your own. If you do want to incorporate a peer's idea into your paper, be sure to credit them the same way you would any other source. If you're struggling with your assignment, seek help from your instructor or visit the Writing Center for guidance.

Track your sources throughout the process:

Maintain a clear and consistent trail of your sources throughout the research and writing process. This trail will make it easier to locate any source if you need to reference or double-check it, and it will also help you avoid accidental plagiarism.

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