Rules for Avoiding Plagiarism in Course Assignments
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or words without proper acknowledgment. To maintain academic integrity, follow these rules when completing assignments:
1. Always Cite Direct Copies
If you copy text word-for-word from any source (books, websites, articles, etc.), you must:
Enclose the copied text in quotation marks.
Provide a proper citation (author, source, and publication details).
Include a reference list at the end of your work.
Example: Copying a paragraph from a company’s "About Us" page requires quotation marks and a citation.
2. Paraphrasing Still Requires Attribution
Even if you reword someone else’s ideas, you must credit the original source. Simply changing a few words does not make the work yours.
Example: Using an idea from a blog post but rewording it still requires a citation.
3. Definitions and Common Knowledge
Definitions from dictionaries, encyclopedias, or websites must be cited unless they are common knowledge (e.g., "A computer is an electronic device").
Wikipedia and open-source content must be cited, even if no single author is listed.
4. Group Work vs. Individual Assignments
If an assignment is individual, you must write it yourself, even if you discussed ideas with others.
If you received help, acknowledge the contributions in your submission.
Submitting identical or near-identical work as peers is considered collusion, a form of plagiarism.
5. AI and Writing Tools
Using AI tools (like ChatGPT) to generate entire assignments without original input violates academic integrity.
If you use AI for assistance (e.g., summarizing, improving clarity), you must still:
Add your own analysis and insights.
Clearly indicate which parts were AI-generated if required.
6. Self-Plagiarism
Submitting the same work (or significant portions) for multiple assignments without permission is not allowed.
Consequences of Plagiarism
Penalties may include:
Reduced marks.
Assignment rejection.
Further disciplinary action.
Comments
Post a Comment