Students at community colleges are caught cheating at just about the same rate as students attending four year colleges and universities. Students normally think of cheating as taking unauthorized notes into a test, getting an old test and using the answers for your test, copying a paper that another student wrote, having another person write a paper or take a test for you and of course, there is plagiarism.
Of those plagiarism is often viewed as the least offensive. However, plagiarism is also one of the most grey areas and one that students sometimes even don’t realize they are guilty of.
So what constitues plagiarism? Plagiarism is using another’s work without proper citation iincluding using footnotes and bibliography. Students often copy material word for word right off the page of the internet without thinking they are doing anything wrong, afterall it;s the internet right? Wrong!
So just how do plagiarist get caught? Professors can easily spot students work that is different than previous work submitted. Also an even more obvious way is that professors are normally very familiar with their area of expertise and know all the work that has been submitted in their project area. Professors can quickly see duplicate material which has already by written by their fellow experts. Experts tend to use certain unique phrases and when students take on those phrases without giving proper credit it quickly become obvious the work was ‘lifted” from another source.
So just how do you protect yourself and keep your integrity intact?
- Take proper notes and use footnotes and complete bibliography documenting all of your sources.
- All sources need to be cited whether they be written works from books, newspapers, videos, internet or in person interviews.
- Make sure you add your own individual thoughts on topic.
- Do not EVER buy a paper from a source thinking it will be unique. It will not and you will pay the penalty for your lack of iniative. Those paper producing sites have sold that paper many times, no matter how much they claim they are unique.
- Do not work with another student on your paper unless your professor specifically indicates that the colloboration process is ok.
- Do not wait too long to get started on your paper. When time is running out students are often under stress and will plagiarise in order to try and catch up and get the work done on time.
Your integrity is important and how the professor views you can well effect how they will help you in emerging in your field and finding a good job. You want your professors to view you as a credible and professional person. They can help you get that perfect, well paying job and it is important that they are always working on your behalf.