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CBE - College of Business and Economics Main Guide: MAPS: Plagiarism and Referencing

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Plagiarism

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

Many people think of plagiarism as copying another's work, or borrowing someone else's original ideas. But terms like "copying" and "borrowing" can disguise the seriousness of the offense:

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means:

  • to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
  • to use (another's production) without crediting the source
  • to commit literary theft
  • to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward.

To avoid Plagiarism you need to learn how to acknowledge the resources (books , articles, etc.) in your research project/ assignment.

People plagiarize as a result of the following:

  • Not knowing any better
  • Pressure/competition
  • Lack of confidence
  • Work perceived as too difficult
  • Lack of consequences
  • Lack of interest or laziness
  • Arrogance

What are the consequences of plagiarism?

  • Plagiarism is unethical becuase it is intellectual theft
  • It is in conflict with the UJ Values of trust and academic integrity
  • It shows disrespect for the rights of the original author
  • It tarnishes the Universities reputation, and diminishes the value of your qualifications
  • It casts suspicion on the honest work of the students

To Avoid Plagiarism:

  • Never Copy Directly
  • Never Print Directly
  • Never Copy From Other Students

To Quote a Source:

  • Always Use “Quotation Marks”
  • Always Give Credit to the Source (Citing & Referencing)

To Paraphrase:

  • Always Use Your Own Words
  • Give Credit to the Source

To Use Common Knowledge:

  • Always Use Facts Known by Many People
  • No Citations Needed

Watch this video to learn more on plagiarism, refencing and citation.

Play our plagiarism... - University of ...

 

You should reference any information, ideas, or words taken from a source that is not your own, regardless of whether you directly quote, paraphrase, or summarize it. This includes using images, tables, graphs, or any other non-original material. Referencing ensures you give credit to the original author and avoids plagiarism. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown of when to reference:

  • Quoting:

    When you use the exact words of another author, you must cite them with a quotation and a citation. 

  • Paraphrasing:

    Even if you rephrase someone else's ideas in your own words, you still need to cite the original source. 

  • Summarizing:

    When you provide a condensed version of someone else's work, you still need to cite the original source. 

  • Using Facts, Statistics, or Data:

    If you use any non-common knowledge facts, statistics, dates, or other data, you need to cite the source, especially if it's not widely known. 

  • Using Images, Tables, or Graphs:

    If you use any non-original images, tables, graphs, or other visuals, you need to cite the source. 

  • Acknowledging Indebtedness:

    If a particular text significantly influenced your understanding or the development of your ideas, you should cite it, even if you don't directly reference it in the text. 

When you don't need to reference:

  • Common Knowledge: You don't need to cite facts that are widely known or generally accepted within your field. 
  • Your Own Ideas: You don't need to cite your own thoughts, interpretations, or analyses. 
  • In-class Exercises: Generally, you don't need to cite sources in in-class exercises or quizzes. 

In essence, you need to reference anything that isn't your original work, including words, ideas, facts, and images, to give credit to the original author and demonstrate academic integrity.