Plagiarism is taking ideas or writings from others and trying to pass them off as your own. (Plagiarism is also not informing readers that the previous definition comes from Webster’s New World Dictionary.)
While the definition of plagiarism is clear, finding it and more importantly preventing it and dealing with it isn’t always easy. To help, Shaun Jackson, Instruction Coordinator/Reference Librarian, will present “Understanding, Detecting and Preventing Plagiarism: For UCCS Faculty” at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 in EPC 239. This is one in a series of workshops presented by the library this semester. (See schedule below.)
Jackson says some plagiarism is intentional, some unintentional. The unintentional plagiarism can often be prevented by educating. And this is where librarians can help.
Jackson says that many people assume librarians only talk to classes about how to use the library, when they can also cover the broader issues of information literacy, such as using computers, formulating thesis statements, finding and critically evaluating information, using information ethically, and other related topics.
Another suggestion Jackson makes to help prevent plagiarism is to let students know you are actually reading their papers. Being concerned for students’ well-being and helping them actively engage in the learning process does a lot to discourage dishonest behavior.
Jackson says getting a writing sample early in the semester can help you better gauge each student’s writing ability and make plagiarism easier to identify on later assignments.
While commercial services exist to help detect plagiarism, one free method is only as far as your computer: Google. If you suspect plagiarism in a paper, use the Google search engine and enter a unique phrase (put quotes around the phrase to search for that exact wording). If that phrase is somewhere on the Internet, chances are that Google will find it. Unfortunately, search engines only cover a small portion of what is available on the Web; this workshop will also focus portions of the Web not covered by search engines, also known as the deep Web’.
“Most professors are not going to have the time to check all papers,” Jackson said. “Contact your library liaison and have us do the work.”
If you are unable to attend Jackson’s workshop, she will have handouts available with more information. Contact her at [email protected] for copies.
Spring 2006 Library Workshops
For more detailed information, see http://web.uccs.edu/library/workshopflyer2006.pdf
Getting to Know the Library: A Workshop for New & Transfer Students, Staff, & Faculty
Monday, January 23, 2006, 3-4 p.m. EPC 239
Get the Facts on Factiva
Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 1-2 p.m. EPC 239
Research Skills Jumpstart
Wednesday, January 25, 2006, 1:30-2:30 p.m. EPC 239
Understanding, Detecting, & Preventing Plagiarism: For UCCS Faculty
Friday, January 27, 2006, 1-2 p.m. EPC 239
ARTstor, Art, & So Much More THE Visual Database
Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 2-3 p.m. EPC 239
Ordering Out! Finding and Borrowing Materials Beyond the Walls of the Kraemer Family Library
Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 1-2 p.m. EPC 239
The Powers and Perils of Google Scholar
Thursday, February 23, 2006, 2-3 p.m. EPC 239