Research reviewer (plagiarism)

Cite your sources, include quotations, paraphrase, present your own idea, use a plagiarism checker

Ways on avoiding plagiarism

turning in someone else's work as your own, copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit, failing to put a quotation in quotation marks, giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation, changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit, copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not

What are the things that are considered as plagiarism?

cite your sources

When alluding to an idea or wording that's not your own, add a citation in your writing that identifies the full name of the source, the date it was published, and any other citation element that's required by the style guide you're adhering to

Plagiarism

"to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own: use (another's production) without crediting the source." The inclusion of the word "steal" in this definition, includes instances when another's ideas or words, are intentionally used without crediting the source. Even accidentally using another's ideas or words without proper citation, due to carelessness, falls under this definition since your work tries to "pass-off" another's work as your own. In our tech-forward culture, the simple act of copy-and-paste can seem harmless, but it has serious consequences in academic and professional settings. (According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary)

A photograph or scan of a copyrighted image (for example: using a photograph of a book cover to represent that book on one's website) • Recording audio or video in which copyrighted music or video is playing in the background. Re-creating a visual work in the same medium. (for example: shooting a photograph that uses the same composition and subject matter as someone else's photograph). Re-creating a visual work in a different medium (for example: making a painting that closely resembles another person's photograph). Re-mixing or altering copyrighted images, video or audio, even if done so in an original way.

How can you plagiarize an image, video, or music unknowingly

Avoid them altogether or Confirm the works' usage permissions and cite them properly.

How to avoid plagiarism?

Include quotations

If you insert a source's words into your writing, verbatim, one of the simplest yet obvious ways to avoid plagiarism is by using quotation marks around the text to denote that the words aren't your own. A direct quote should also cite the source so that readers know who the quote is from.

Present your own idea

Instead of parroting the source's ideas or words, explore what you have to say about it. Ask yourself what unique perspective or point you can contribute in your writing that's entirely your own. Keep in mind that if you're alluding to a source's ideas or words to frame your own point, you'll still need to apply the guidelines above to avoid plagiarizing.

Yes. Using an image, video or piece of music in a work you have produced without receiving proper permission or providing appropriate citation is plagiarism. The following activities are very common in today's society. Despite their popularity, they still count as plagiarism. Copying media (especially images) from other websites to paste them into your own papers or websites. Making a video using footage from others' videos or using copyrighted music as part of the soundtrack. Performing another person's copyrighted music (i.e., playing a cover). Composing a piece of music that borrows heavily from another composition.

Is using images, videos, and videos considered as plagiarism

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.

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to "plagiarize" means

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is rewriting a source's ideas or information into your own words, without changing its meaning. But be careful—paraphrasing can slip into plagiarism if done incorrectly. Successfully paraphrasing without plagiarizing involves a bit of a good writing skill. Reword and format your writing in an original way, and try to avoid using too many similar words or phrases from the source. The key is to do so without altering the meaning of the idea itself. Remember, you're still using another's idea so you'll need to include a citation to the source.

use a plagiarism checker

While conducting your research on a topic, some phrases or sentences might stick with you so well that you inadvertently include them in your writing without a citation. When in doubt, using an online plagiarism checking tool can help you catch these issues before submitting your work. These suggestions can be helpful in avoiding plagiarism and is worth the effort. In addition to being more aware of what constitutes plagiarism, figuring out how to avoid plagiarism ultimately takes daily practice.

At its core, plagiarism is an ethical issue. A writer who submits plagiarized work is committing theft with the hope of benefiting from that theft. This is true whether you're turning in a school paper to get an "A" or are a writer by trade expecting monetary compensation. Avoiding plagiarism is paramount as a writer because it compromises your integrity. Aside from losing the respect of your mentors and peers, it could cost you valuable professional referrals and future career advancement. If you're still in school, plagiarism may result in lost financial aid or leadership roles. 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.

Why should we avoid plagiarism?

According to U.S. law, the answer is yes. The expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression fall under copyright protection as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or a computer file).

can words and ideas really be stolen?