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Plagiarism
Plagiarism in Different Disciplines
Definitions of Plagiarism
Although the general consensus is that plagiarism is a bad idea, it can be difficult to avoid it or discuss it if we have different understandings of the definition:
According to Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary, to “plagiarize” means:
- To steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own;
- To use (another’s production) without crediting the source;
- To commit literary theft;
- To present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.
These are fundamental definitions, but there are many gray areas. Here is a website that discusses more specifically activities students may engage in without realizing that these are also plagiarism.
Is It Plagiarism Yet?
In addition, the definition of plagiarism may vary depending on:
- The rules of particular disciplines, for example, biology and history;
- The situation or context. Citation requirements will vary between essays, journal writing, exams, oral presentations, and other kinds of assignments;
- What is considered common knowledge? This will change as a student advances in a discipline;
- Professional requirements, standards and conventions that must also be followed by professionals out in the workforce or in an academic community of practice. These are commonly called codes of ethics.
Plagiarism in Different Disciplines
Biology:
- Statement on Plagiarism (Davidson College, Department of Biology)
Chemistry:
- What is Plagiarism? (S. E. Van Bramer, 1995, Widener University)
Engineering and Science:
- Plagiarism – Engineering /science example (McMaster University)
- Examples in laboratory/computer programming ( University of Missouri)
Health Sciences:
- Plagiarism Policy (Huntington College of Health Sciences)
Psychology:
- Plagiarism, quotations and paraphrasing (Colorado College. Psychology Department)
The Arts:
- Plagiarism avoided: taking responsibility for your work (University of British Columbia. Faculty of Arts)
Visual Arts:
- Preventing plagiarism in the visual arts (S. Wells, Presbyterian College)
Writing and Humanistic Studies:
- Avoiding Plagiarism (Massachusett’s Institute of Technology)
Upper Level Students:
- Post Graduate Research and Writing (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand)
Professional Codes of Ethics
- Codes of Ethics Collections. (Illinois Institute of Technology. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions)
Anthropology:
Accounting:
Medical Laboratory Technology:
Engineering:
Computer Science:
History:
Journalism:
Music:
Sociology: