 DEFINITION
OF PLAGIARISM
Derived from the Latin word
plagiarus (“kidnapper”),
plagiarism refers to a form
of cheating that has been defined
as “the false assumption
of authorship: the wrongful
act of taking the product of
another person's mind, and presenting
it as one's own” (Alexander
Lindey, Plagiarism and Originality
[New York: Harper, 1952] 2).
Plagiarism involves two kinds
of wrongs. Using another person's
ideas, information, or expressions
without acknowledging that person's
work constitutes intellectual
theft. Passing off another person's
ideas, information, or expressions
as your own to get a better
grade or gain some other advantage
constitutes fraud. (J. Gibaldi,
MLA Handbook, 6th ed.
[New York: MLA, 2003] 66.)
According to the College
of Humanities and Social Science, Plagiarism
is the act of copying or including
in one's own work, without
adequate acknowledgment, intentionally
or unintentionally, the work
of another, for one's own benefit.
Postgraduates are urged to
consult the College's Codes
of Practice for Taught and
for Research
Postgraduates.
The University of Edinburgh
takes plagiarism offenses very
seriously, and all subject
areas have
electronic
means of comparing
submitted work with previously-submitted,
pre-published, and online materials.
Students are advised to view
the University's policy on
plagiarism
and related documents.
Students
will be required to sign and
submit a Declaration
of Own Work with every
assignment. Students are strongly
encouraged to confirm that
their research methods conform
to the University's Code
of Good Practice in Research.
Assure yourself of correct
usage by citing all of your
sources carefully, and by consulting
the College's Advice
to Postgraduates on Avoiding
Plagiarism. If
you have
any concerns, contact your
course convenor before submitting
the related work.
Some
friendly
advice on how to avoid plagiarism |
