Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism?    "You Quote It, You Note It" an entertaining tutorial on plagiarism from Acadia University.
 
Let's start with a definition.

According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, plagiarism means “to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own; use a created production without crediting the source; to commit literary theft; present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.”

In short, using someone else’s works without giving them credit is, in effect, stealing.  In college, plagiarism is considered academic dishonesty and can result in severe consequences, including expulsion from the college.

Does this mean you cannot use the information you found during the research process?  No!  It simply means that you have to give credit to the person whose idea it was, or who wrote the information.  For more information on plagiarism, see: Plagiarism.org.

Plagiarism has serious consequences and ignorance is no excuse.  Intentional plagiarism, such as deliberately copying someone else's work, turning in a paper copied from a website, or creating false citations may lead to a failing grade or even expulsion from SMC.  Unintentional plagiarism may result from not knowing how to write citations, making mistakes in research or note-taking, or not being careful when cutting and pasting... but it's still plagiarism!

Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism:

1. Use your own words and ideas. This also helps you order your thoughts, get your ideas across, and improve your writing.

2. Give credit when you use other people's work, whether you copy, adapt, or paraphrase. Put exact quotes in quotation marks and cite the source.  Even if you don't directly quote it, if the work helps you understand your topic, write a citation for it!

3. Don't just make small changes and pretend it's your own work.  If it's essentially the same work, give credit... write a citation for it.

4. "Common knowledge” or "everybody knows" must really BE common knowledge.  Don't rely on hearsay, do the research... and cite it!

5.  Better safe than sorry.  When in doubt, CITE.

Adapted from Avoid Plagiarism, by the UC Davis Office of Student Judicial Affairs

For an overview that offers a more detailed introduction to the research process, see the following SMC Library Research Guide:

Introduction to Research.

For more information and examples for citing sources in various citation styles, see the SMC Library Research Guide on 

Citation Styles

At the direction of a faculty member or testing officer, students may be requested to affirm or re-affirm their commitment to the Honor Code as they participate in any given examination, paper submission, or any other academic exercise.

1. Honor Code Mission Statement
   Santa Monica College is committed to the academic, social, and ethical development of our students. We strive to create a learning environment that is challenging and supportive of the community at-large. We are committed to upholding fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, civility, and community. In recognition of this effort we hereby establish this Honor Code and Honor Council.
2. Honor Code Principles
   General principles guiding the Honor Code and Honor Council include the following:
   1. Honesty: means fairness and straightforwardness of conduct; implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.
   2. Integrity: implies that one is true to a trust; one adheres to a code of moral values.
   3. Social Responsibility: is demonstrated by adherence to policies of the institution, departments, labs, libraries and individual classes.
   4. Respect and Civility: implies that one will conduct oneself in a courteous and respectful manner in our communications and actions toward members of the campus community.
3. Student Honor Statement
   As testament to their commitment and readiness to join the Santa Monica College academic community, all students are expected to uphold the Honor Code. At the time of admission students will certify the following statement:

In the pursuit of the high ideals and rigorous standards of academic life, I commit myself to respect and uphold the Santa Monica College Honor Code, Code of Academic Conduct, and Student Conduct Code. I will conduct myself honorably as a responsible member of the SMC community in all endeavors I pursue.