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Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
I encourage collaboration among students when reading, studying, and thinking about the course. However, I am evaluating written work in this course as an individual's product, and I expect all students to do their own work on class assignments. I also expect students to acknowledge in writing the intellectual work of others, whether from readings or ideas learned from your classmates. Students may choose any consistent and clear citation format (such as that described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or the Chicago Manual of Style).
One can view an online plagiarism tutorial on my webpage or go directly to the resources page.
Operational definition
Suppose a reading for the course included the following passage from an earlier draft of Dorn (1998; see http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v6n1.html for the published article):
Slowly over the last century, statistics have taken a prominent place in political culture. Despite the fact that partisans in a conflict may heatedly argue that their methods are better, or their opponents' use of statistics is politically motivated, behind the veneer of cynicism lurks a desire for unquestionable statistics that will end debate. Maybe the official poverty line is arbitrary, but some critics then calculate alternative poverty estimates (Axinn and Stern 1988: 73-77; Ruggles 1990).
(Students should note that I have acknowledged the ideas of others by citing the works in parentheses; at the end of the article is a reference list.) Students should recognize the following as plagiarism of the article:
Slowly over the last century, statistics have taken a prominent place in political culture. Despite the fact that partisans in a conflict may heatedly argue that their methods are better, or their opponents' use of statistics is politically motivated, ... (Dorn 1998)
Plagiarism can consist of word-for-word copying, and the reference at the end is not sufficient. Plagiarism can also consist of extensive use of someone else's phrasing and rhythm, for writing is a creative act. The following is still plagiarism:
Gradually, statistics have become important in political debate. Even when debaters claim that their numbers are superior, or their rivals' numbers are opportunistically intentioned, in back of the sneering lies the quest for an unbeatable number that no one can challenge (Dorn 1998).
Plagiarism can also consist of using an idea without acknowledging the source:
Statistics are far more important in politics today than in the 19th century. Politicians constantly argue whose statistics are superior, a phenomenon unknown in the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858.
What is missing? (Hint: no citation needed for the Lincoln-Douglas debates.) The general rule is that one cites works where one has learned material or concepts that a curious reader might want to know the source of. Students may refer to university documents for more formal definitions of academic honesty at USF and potential sanctions, and I encourage each student to speak to me with questions about citation in specific situations.
The acid test for citation mechanics
A citation is sufficient if it would allow a stranger to find the source in a library.
How to avoid plagiarism
Dangerous habits that can lead to plagiarism:
- Copying sections of readings (or overheads) directly into notes
- Waiting until the last minute before starting an assignment
- Not understanding the intellectual principle behind citations
Good habits:
- Rephrasing ideas into one's own words regularly when taking notes
- Planning enough time to write an assignment
- Asking questions of faculty members about specific expectations for citation