Avoiding Plagiarism and Academic Honesty

Avoiding Plagiarism

What is plagiarism?

Do you know what plagiarism means? Plagiarism is the term used to describe a form of cheating or stealing.

Most cases of plagiarism can be identified by a professor in a few minutes using today’s technology. Plagiarizing in college can have a profound impact on your future, whether you’re caught or not.

To avoid plagiarism, all students must document sources properly using Footnotes, Endnotes, or Parenthetical References, and must write a Bibliography, References, or Works Cited page and place it at the end of the research paper to list the sources used.

TIPS

• Do not be tempted to get someone else to write your research paper, hand in the same essay to two or more different teachers, or purchase instant essays from the Web.
• Do not download information from the Web or someone else’s original work off the Internet and directly incorporate such information into your essay without paraphrasing and acknowledging its source.
• Apart from being unethical, dishonest, and learning nothing in the process, your teacher probably knows you and your writing style too well for you to plagiarize successfully.
• Most secondary schools, colleges, and universities take a dim view at plagiarism which is becoming more rampant with prevalent use of the Internet.
• Technology has made it too easy for students to search and click for an essay and simply pay with a valid credit card for an instant download online. Consequences may be severe when students are caught plagiarizing.

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About Academic Honesty

All members of the College community share the responsibility for maintaining a reputation for high academic standards. Academic honesty is a cornerstone in the acquisition, development and maintenance of these standards.

While studying at College of the Rockies, students are expected to produce work that is original, honest, and to avoid plagiarism.

Please familiarize yourself with the College’s Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct Policy.

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If you have any questions please contact the Learning Commons & Library’s Research Help Desk.