Academic Integrity: Avoiding Plagiarism

Ethics of Honest Research

• Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work without giving proper credit.
• Plagiarism can result from dishonesty, carelessness, laziness, or ignorance.

How to Avoid Plagiarism

• Document all information obtained from sources, including diagrams, ideas, facts, theories, findings, opinions, and graphics.
• Exceptions to documentation include:
  • Your own ideas and opinions
  • Common knowledge

Why Document Sources of Information?

• Protect the originator of the information
• Protect yourself from accusations of plagiarism
• Show readers that you have done your work and are aware of the latest developments in the field
• Enable readers to track down the information

Procedure for Documenting

• Refer to the source of information in the text by inserting consecutive numbers in brackets
• Insert the reference number at the end of a sentence or within it, without changing the sentence punctuation
• Leave a space before the bracketed number and stick the punctuation to the second bracket

Reference Page Format

• List sources in numerical order according to when they are first cited in the text
• Give the initials of authors' first names
• Single-space individual references, with a second or third line aligned with the first
• Double-space between separate references
• End each entry with a period
• List every source once on the reference page, even if referenced multiple times in the paper

Engineering Ethics

• Five unethical communication concerns to avoid:
  • Copyright infringement
  • Tampering with results
  • Withholding adverse information
  • Writing unclear instructions
  • Omitting safety warnings

Tools for Ethical Decision Making

• Use the Code of Ethics (published by professional engineering associations or large firms) to justify doing the right thing

Facing a Dilemma

• Analyze the situation carefully and responsibly
• Consider the issues involved from more than one angle
• Consult with others
• Think long and hard before making a decision

Learn about the importance of honesty in research, how to avoid plagiarism, and proper documentation of sources. Includes examples of reference page formats and samples.