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Copyright: Anti-Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism?

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

  • to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
  • use (another's production) without crediting the source

How Plagiarism Can Happen

Many reasons this happens:

  • Poor time management
  • Unsure how to cite or what needs to be cited
  • Complicated citation rules and guidelines
  • Desire to get a good grade or to obtain premier job opportunities
  • After note taking, not remembering the words are not your own

More Information

Consult with a librarian or your professors on what to cite as well as how to cite.

Read about citation styles in:

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for knowing and understanding what constitutes plagiarism, unintentional or not.

Basic instructions on citing:

  • A direct quote from someone else's work requires quotation marks around it and a citation
  • Paraphrasing from someone else's work requires a citation
  • Referring to a previous study requires a citation

Places where you might find data you are required to cite:

  • Electronic article(s)
  • Print journal article(s)
  • Web page(s)
  • Drug monographs from electronic databases

Librarians are available to work with you so you are informed about the citation and research process.

Avoiding Plagiarism

  • Use quotes when you use verbatim parts of another authors work and cite that source
  • When you refer to previous work by other researchers, cite the original source using the correct formatting style
  • Cite yourself if you are using material you presented previously
  • Learn and use the style guidelines used by your program
  • Use reference management software to make citing quick and easy!

What Makes Up a Citation?

Citations are located in the text of an article, paper, manuscript or book. It is called an in-text citation.

In-text citation:

  • A number, an author, or author-date format

Reference list:

  • Located at the end of the work. Helps the reader locate the original work
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Academic Integrity

The MWU Student Handbook explains "Academic Honesty" in Appendices 1-4. Plagiarism is an act of Academic Misconduct.

Plagiarism: Presenting as one’s own the work of another without proper acknowledgment; deceitful practice, utilizing a substitute or acting as a substitute in any academic evaluation, of knowingly permitting one’s work to be submitted by another person without the instructor’s authorization.

Fortunately, we are here to work with you to understand what constitutes plagiarism and how you can avoid this.

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