Plagiarism in an Academic Setting
To define plagiarism, the Oxford English Dictionary states that plagiarism is "the action or practice of taking someone else 's work, idea, etc., and passing it off as one 's own; literary theft" (Last, 2007). In the academic world it has been made clear that plagiarism is a crime. Students are introduced to the issues surrounding plagiarism in their first orientation. After the first class, they are reminded and warned about plagiarizing all the way through their academic career. When a student enrolls in a college or university they are given a code of conduct and a set of rules that have to be adhered to. Additionally, all students agree to the ethical values that come with the code of conduct. If a student does not adhere to the code of conduct the rules state what the price to be paid is for each penalty. In fact, the penalty for plagiarism can be as high as being expelled from the school with a failing grade. This can ruin a student 's academic career. Since we have covered the consequences of being caught plagiarizing, what are the consequences if the student is not caught? The consequences if not caught would be that the student will not be prepared for the career that they are training for and will probably continue plagiarizing other authors throughout their career. With the penalty of plagiarism being set so high, why would a student even attempt to plagiarize? Some students plagiarize without even realizing it, by writing what is thought to be their own ideas but actually writing almost word for word another authors ideas. Some students also think that since the information does not have a copyright that they are free to use it as they wish. The fact of the matter is that according to the article plagiarism is cheating in any form. ' "Any work created in the USA after Mar. 1989 is automatically protected by copyright, even if no copyright notice is attached [17 USC102, 401, and 405]". This would include all website material, photographs, and
References: Chronicle. (1998-2007). British Student Says University was negligent for Not Stopping His Plagiarism Chronicle. (2007). How to Prevent Plagiarism with Technology. Chronicle for Higher Education E. Winter, J. Winter, and S. Emerson. (2003). Will the Real Author Please Stand Up: Preventing Plagiarism J. M. Last. (2007). Plagiarism. A Dictionary of Public Health. Ed.Oxford University Press University Press. Retrieved February 5, 2008 from website http://dictionary.oed.com.ezprozy.apollolibrary.com/cgi/entry/50180576