Academic Honesty and Integrity

Plagiarism

Definitions of Plagiarism

Is It Plagiarism Yet?

Plagiarism in Different Disciplines

Professional Codes of Ethics

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:

• Academic Integrity (engineering and science example, McMaster University)

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)

Upper Level Scientific Researchers:

• Avoiding plagiarism, self plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices: A guide to ethical writing (M. Roig, St. John’s University)

Professional Codes of Ethics

All professions:   

• IIT Codes of Ethics Online/ By Professional Category

Anthropology:

• American Anthropological Association

Accounting:

• AICPA Code of Professional Conduct

Medical Laboratory Technology:

• ASCLS Code of Ethics

Engineering:

• IEEE Code of Ethics

Computer Science:

• ACM Code of Ethics

History:

• American Historical Association – Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct

Journalism:

• Society of Professional Journalists

Music:

• Music Code of Ethics

Sociology:

• American Sociology Association Code of Ethics Standards