Plagiarism and Other Violations
Plagiarism
The handbook of the Modern Language Association describes plagiarism as "giving the impression that you have written or thought of something that you have in fact borrowed from someone else."
Examples of plagiarism in paper writing include: direct quoting of any source material whether published or unpublished without giving proper credit through the use of quotation marks, footnotes and other customary means of identifying sources; paraphrasing material from books and articles, etc., without identifying and crediting sources; submitting papers written by another person or persons; offering false, fabricated or fictitious sources for papers, reports, or other assignments.
Examples of plagiarism in taking examinations include any attempt to do the following:
- Look at another's examination;
- Communicate by any means with another student during the course of an examination regarding its content;
- Use any unauthorized materials, such as notebooks, notes, textbooks, or other sources, not specifically allowed by the course professor for use during the examination period; or
- Engage in any other activity for the purpose of seeking or offering aid during an examination. (By the term "examination" the code includes quizzes, hourly tests, midterms, finals, laboratory practicals, etc.)
Another kind of plagiarism consists of fabricating, falsifying or copying data to represent the results of laboratory work, field assignments or computer projects.
Duplicate Submission of the Same Work
Submitting the same work for more than one course is a violation unless concerned professors give their consent in advance.
Collusion
Ordinary consultation of faculty, library staff, tutors, or others is legitimate unless the instructor has imposed stricter limits for a particular assignment. Any cooperative effort is forbidden which results in the work or ideas of others being presented as one's own.
False Information
Furnishing false information to the University - when professors, advisors, officials or offices have a right to accuracy - violates academic honesty. Instances would include but are not limited to misrepresenting activity outside the classroom (reports on field work, etc.) or improperly seeking special consideration or privilege (postponement of an examination or assignment deadline, etc.).
Unauthorized Use of Computers
In the context of the completion of a course and/or assignments (contained within a course) the unauthorized use of computers or the University Computing System and related networks (e.g., the unauthorized use of software, access codes, computing accounts, electronic mail and files) constitutes a violation of this code (see The Student Computing Policy available from the University's Information Resources Division for more detail).
Theft and Destruction of Property
Unauthorized removal, retention, mutilation or destruction of common property of the University is a code violation as such behavior relates to specific academic responsibility. Such property includes but is not limited to library books, the collections of the Library and the Media Resources Center, laboratory materials, computers and computer software, etc. Also prohibited is the theft, mutilation or destruction of a student's academic work, including books, notes, computer programs, papers, reports, laboratory experiments, etc.
Unauthorized Possession
Possession, without authorization, of copies of tests, answer sheets, or other materials, however obtained, that could interfere with fair, accurate testing violates this code.
Other University Codes and the Civil Law
The University's Community Standards Code proscribes conduct that will often have a direct bearing on the ability of faculty and students to achieve their academic goals. Therefore, violation of the Community Standards Code will often result in a violation of academic integrity as well. For example, harassment, physical and verbal abuse, drunkenness, disturbance of the peace, etc. impair academic life. If a violation occurs which might be addressed by either code, the University will pursue action under either the Academic Code of Honesty or the Community Standards Code but not both.
If a question as to which code should be applied to a particular situation arises, the Provost and the Vice President for Student Affairs will confer concerning the particular venue of the potential violation and reach a decision.
Students, in particular, should be aware that certain violations of honesty are also illegal and expose them to legal action by the University or others. Such acts include unauthorized copying, duplication, quotation or plagiarism of copyrighted materials and acts outlined above in sections (Computer Use) and (Theft and Destruction).
University of Scranton (2006) Student behavior in violation of academic honesty Student Handbook 2006-2007. Scranton: University of Scranton. 40-41
Additional Plagiarism Links
Plagiarism – Faculty Guide
http://library.uncw.edu/web/research/topic/plagiarismfaculty.html
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Faculty guide to Plagiarism.
Plagiarism – Student Guide
http://library.uncw.edu/web/research/topic/plagiarismstudents.html#examples
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Student guide to Plagiarism.
Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml. Indiana University, Bloomington.
How Not to Plagiarize
http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/plagsep.html
University of Toronto.
A Plagiarism Tutorial
http://www.lib.usm.edu/research/plag/plagiarismtutorial.php
University of Southern Mississippi.
What is Plagiarism?
http://www.georgetown.edu/honor/plagiarism.html
Georgetown University.
Pennsylvania Statues, Annotated by Lexis Nexis
THIS DOCUMENT IS CURRENT THROUGH ACT 189 OF THE REG SESSION AND ACT 1 OF THE SP. LEGISLATIVE SESSION*
*** MAY 2, 2007 ANNOTATION SERVICE ***
18 Pa.C.S.§ 7324. Unlawful sale of dissertations, theses and term papers