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Plagiarism: Overview and Implications

Lecture 09 4 min read

Research Methods

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What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words, ideas, images, sounds, or creative work without proper acknowledgment, presenting them as your own.

Why is Plagiarism a Serious Issue?

A major study by Donald L. McCabe (Rutgers University) involving nearly 4,500 students across 25 schools revealed:

  • 74% admitted to serious cheating on tests

  • 72% admitted to serious cheating on written assignments

  • Over 50% admitted to plagiarizing content from the Internet

(Source: Center for Academic Integrity, Duke University)

How to Know if You’re Plagiarizing

Ask yourself:

  • Have I used someone else’s ideas or words without citing them?

  • Did I receive unauthorized help on this assignment?

If yes, you may have committed plagiarism—intentionally or not.

Types of Plagiarism

Intentional Plagiarism

  • Copying another student’s work

  • Buying or borrowing papers

  • Copying and pasting from online sources without citation

  • Using media without permission or credit

  • Republishing content online without rights

Unintentional Plagiarism

  • Poor paraphrasing

  • Inadequate or missing citations

  • Over-reliance on quotations

  • Failing to express ideas in your own voice

Common Excuses for Plagiarism

  • “It’s okay if I don’t get caught!”

  • “I had no time—too much homework!”

  • “My teachers assign too much!”

  • “I need straight A’s to get into college!”

  • “Everyone else does it!”

  • “This assignment was boring!”

These justifications do not lessen the consequences or ethical implications.

Why Academic Integrity Matters

  • Learning: Cheating undermines your own education.

  • Respect: Crediting sources is a matter of fairness.

  • Credibility: Citing adds authority and trust to your work.

  • Reputation: Academic dishonesty damages personal and institutional trust.

  • Ethics: Integrity is essential in both academic and professional life.

Real-World Examples of Plagiarism Consequences

  • Stephen Ambrose & Doris Kearns Goodwin: Reputational damage and job resignations.

  • Senator Joe Biden: Withdrew from the 1987 presidential race due to plagiarism allegations.

  • Mike Barnicle (Boston Globe): Resigned over plagiarized columns.

  • Jayson Blair (New York Times): Resigned after multiple articles were found to be plagiarized or fabricated.

  • NJ Valedictorian: Lost a seat at Harvard for plagiarizing a published article.

  • University of Virginia Case: 45 students expelled, 3 graduate degrees revoked.

Possible Academic Consequences

  • A zero grade on the assignment

  • Notification of parents/guardians

  • Referral to administration

  • Suspension from sports or extracurriculars

  • Academic record marks

  • Damaged standing in the school community

Plagiarism in the Professional World

Would you trust a:

  • Lawyer who cheated on the bar exam?

  • Architect who plagiarized their coursework?

  • Accountant who had others do their work?

Professional integrity is built on academic honesty.

When is Citation Required?

You must cite when:

  • Using direct quotes

  • Paraphrasing or summarizing others’ ideas

  • Referring to data or facts not considered common knowledge

What is Common Knowledge?

Facts widely known or easily verified (e.g., “Water freezes at 0°C”) do not require citation.

Tip: If a fact appears in three or more credible sources and is generally known, it’s likely common knowledge.

How to Use Sources Responsibly

1. Quoting

Use exact words from a source. Best used for powerful statements or precise definitions. Must be cited.

2. Paraphrasing

Rewriting ideas in your own words and sentence structure. Still requires citation.

3. Summarizing

Condensing the main ideas of a larger text in your own words. Also must be cited.

Smart Note-Taking Tips

  • Use quotation marks or a “Q” for direct quotes

  • Mark paraphrased ideas with a “P”

  • Always include source details and page numbers

In-Text and MLA Documentation

  • Use MLA style for citing sources:

    • (Author Last Name Page Number) — e.g., (Smith 203)

    • If no author: use a shortened title — e.g., (“Plagiarism and the Web”)

  • In-text citations must correspond with full entries in your Works Cited list

Example:

“Slightly more than 73% of Happy High School students reported plagiarizing papers” (Smith 203).

Key Takeaways

  • Plagiarism is a serious ethical and academic offense

  • Proper citation respects the original creator and supports your credibility

  • Always blend quotes, paraphrases, and summaries thoughtfully

  • When in doubt—Cite!