avoiding plagiarism cis 100: introduction to computers mr. a. craig dixon spring 2006

Avoiding PlagiarismAvoiding Plagiarism

CIS 100: Introduction to Computers CIS 100: Introduction to Computers

Mr. A. Craig DixonMr. A. Craig Dixon

Spring 2006Spring 2006

Avoiding Plagiarism 2

Plagiarism DefinedPlagiarism Defined

““Plagiarism is the act of presenting ideas, Plagiarism is the act of presenting ideas, words, or organization of a source, published words, or organization of a source, published or not, as if they were one’s own.”or not, as if they were one’s own.”

-KCTCS Student Code of Conduct-KCTCS Student Code of ConductArticle II, Section 2.3.1.1Article II, Section 2.3.1.1


Penalties for PlagiarismPenalties for Plagiarism

“For instances of academic dishonesty related to earning grades…the instructor may implement any of three sanctions:

• a failing grade for the specific assignment; and/or• a reduced grade for the course; and/or• a failing grade for the course.

The specific sanction depends upon the weight of the assignment in satisfying the requirements for the course. …The instructor may also recommend that the student be suspended for any academic offenses”

-KCTCS Student Code of Conduct-KCTCS Student Code of ConductArticle II, Sections 2.3.2.1 & 2.3.2.2Article II, Sections 2.3.2.1 & 2.3.2.2


Citation of SourcesCitation of Sources

• For this class, either of two methods will be For this class, either of two methods will be acceptable for citing work that is not the acceptable for citing work that is not the student’s own.student’s own.• Endnote citationEndnote citation• Parenthetical citationParenthetical citation

• You should choose a style of citation and You should choose a style of citation and stick to it. Never mix endnote and stick to it. Never mix endnote and parenthetical citation within the same work.parenthetical citation within the same work.


Endnote CitationEndnote Citation

• For endnote citation, the quoted, summarized, or For endnote citation, the quoted, summarized, or paraphrased fact is followed immediately by a paraphrased fact is followed immediately by a superscripted number.superscripted number.

• These numbers are sequential with regard to their These numbers are sequential with regard to their order of presentation within the work.order of presentation within the work.

• On the Works Cited page at the end of the work, On the Works Cited page at the end of the work, each superscripted number appears, in order, each superscripted number appears, in order, followed by the source cited with that number followed by the source cited with that number within the work.within the work.


Endnote Citation: An ExampleEndnote Citation: An Example

• Suppose the following sentence appears in a Suppose the following sentence appears in a student paper:student paper:

““According to Dr. John H. Doe, 50% of people According to Dr. John H. Doe, 50% of people say ‘yes.’ ” say ‘yes.’ ” 11

• In the Works Cited page, we should find In the Works Cited page, we should find something similar to this:something similar to this:

11 Doe, Dr. John H. “Statistics of Public Doe, Dr. John H. “Statistics of Public Opinion.” p. 23 Opinion.” p. 23 Journal of Useless Journal of Useless Information. Information. July 12, 2003.July 12, 2003.


Parenthetical CitationParenthetical Citation

• In parenthetical citation, the quoted, summarized, In parenthetical citation, the quoted, summarized, or paraphrased fact is followed immediately by the or paraphrased fact is followed immediately by the author’s name (or the name of the work) and the author’s name (or the name of the work) and the page number on which the information is found (if page number on which the information is found (if applicable.)applicable.)

• On the Works Cited page, all works cited within On the Works Cited page, all works cited within the paper appear alphabetically by the author’s last the paper appear alphabetically by the author’s last name. Each source appears only once, even if it is name. Each source appears only once, even if it is cited multiple times.cited multiple times.


Parenthetical Citation: An ExampleParenthetical Citation: An Example

• In the body of the paper, you should see:In the body of the paper, you should see:““According to Dr. John H. Doe, 50% of people According to Dr. John H. Doe, 50% of people

say ‘yes.’ ” (Doe 23)say ‘yes.’ ” (Doe 23)

• On the Works Cited page, you should see:On the Works Cited page, you should see:Doe, Dr. John H. “Statistics of Public Opinion.” Doe, Dr. John H. “Statistics of Public Opinion.”

Journal of Useless Information. Journal of Useless Information. July 12, July 12, 2003.2003.


Direct QuotationsDirect Quotations

• Direct quotations must be enclosed in Direct quotations must be enclosed in quotation marks.quotation marks.

• Direct quotations longer than two lines are Direct quotations longer than two lines are usually usually block-quotedblock-quoted (i.e. indented from (i.e. indented from both the left and right margins.)both the left and right margins.)

• In either case, direct quotes must still be In either case, direct quotes must still be cited using one of the methods mentioned cited using one of the methods mentioned earlier.earlier.


The Works Cited PageThe Works Cited Page

• The Works Cited page should be the last page of The Works Cited page should be the last page of your work (barring appendices.)your work (barring appendices.)

• The words “Works Cited” or “Endnotes” (as The words “Works Cited” or “Endnotes” (as appropriate) should appear prominently at the top appropriate) should appear prominently at the top of the page.of the page.

• All All works that were cited in the paper works that were cited in the paper mustmust appear appear on this page.on this page.

• If you wish, you may also include an “Other If you wish, you may also include an “Other Readings” section which lists works you read for Readings” section which lists works you read for background, but did not actually cite in the paper.background, but did not actually cite in the paper.


Citing a SourceCiting a Source

• Because types of media vary widely, it is difficult Because types of media vary widely, it is difficult to say unequivocally what must be included in a to say unequivocally what must be included in a citation. citation.

• Without question, all of the following should be Without question, all of the following should be included, if available:included, if available:• Author’s (or authors’) name(s)Author’s (or authors’) name(s)• Name of the publicationName of the publication• Name of the articleName of the article• Page numberPage number• Date of publicationDate of publication


Citing an Internet SourceCiting an Internet Source

• Citing a web page can be difficult, since many if Citing a web page can be difficult, since many if not all of the previously mentioned data may not not all of the previously mentioned data may not be available. (If it is, you should include it in your be available. (If it is, you should include it in your citation.) citation.)

• All Internet citations should include:All Internet citations should include:• Name of siteName of site

• URLURL

• Date of accessDate of access

• Date of last updateDate of last update


Citing Other SourcesCiting Other Sources

• Other sources, such as software, videos, Other sources, such as software, videos, personal interviews, etc. can also be cited. personal interviews, etc. can also be cited. The format for each is different.The format for each is different.

• Consult an instructor or credible resource Consult an instructor or credible resource for details on how to properly cite your for details on how to properly cite your source.source.• The Modern Language Association (MLA) The Modern Language Association (MLA)

provides guidelines for most sources. Their web provides guidelines for most sources. Their web site is www.mla.org.site is www.mla.org.


What to CiteWhat to Cite

• The following are examples of things that The following are examples of things that should be cited:should be cited:• Statistics or experiment resultsStatistics or experiment results• Professional opinionsProfessional opinions• Non-obvious or non-trivial factsNon-obvious or non-trivial facts• Observations not originally made by the author Observations not originally made by the author

(i.e. you)(i.e. you)


When In Doubt, AskWhen In Doubt, Ask

• “In any case in which a student feels unsure about a question of plagiarism involving the student’s work, the student must consult the instructor before submitting the work.”

-KCTCS Student Code of Conduct-KCTCS Student Code of Conduct

Article II, Section 2.3.1.1Article II, Section 2.3.1.1


Choose Credible SourcesChoose Credible Sources

• Remember that creating a web page isn’t Remember that creating a web page isn’t that difficult. Just because you read it on the that difficult. Just because you read it on the Internet, doesn’t make it true.Internet, doesn’t make it true.

• Try to confirm facts with at least two Try to confirm facts with at least two sources, or stick to highly credible sources.sources, or stick to highly credible sources.


Your Work Is About Your Work Is About YouYou

• Anyone can search the Internet to learn facts about Anyone can search the Internet to learn facts about a subject; in fact, I’m probably already pretty a subject; in fact, I’m probably already pretty well-versed in the topics many of you will choose.well-versed in the topics many of you will choose.

• The point of a paper in this class is not to show The point of a paper in this class is not to show how much information you can gather, but to how much information you can gather, but to show how well you interpret that information and show how well you interpret that information and present the conclusions it leads you to.present the conclusions it leads you to.

• The information you cite should not be the main The information you cite should not be the main part of your paper; it should be the support that part of your paper; it should be the support that strengthens what is truly important… your ideas!strengthens what is truly important… your ideas!

avoiding plagiarism cis 100: introduction to computers mr. a. craig dixon spring 2006

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