Library Guides: How to Use Turnitin: Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's words, data or ideas without proper attribution to the source. It can happen intentionally or inadvertently. Words, data, and ideas are the intellectual property of the content creator. When you use someone else's intellectual property you need to properly attribute the work. Failure to do so is academic or intellectual property theft. The exception to this is Common Knowledge which includes widely known facts, and more rarely widely held ideas and interpretations. When in doubt, cite!

Types of Plagiarism

Inadvertent Plagiarism: Unintentional paraphrasing or not properly citing or quoting a source accidentally
Paraphrase Plagiarism: Rephrasing an idea from a source without proper attribution
Word-for-Word Plagiarism: Copying directly from a source without proper attribution
Self Plagiarism: Reusing one's own previously submitted or published work without proper attribution
Mosaic Plagiarism: Adding phrases and text from multiple sources into one's own work
Source-Based Plagiarism: Including inaccurate or incomplete information about a source so it cannot be found, including creating fake references
Data Plagiarism: Falsifying data or improperly using someone elses work, putting a researcher, institution, or publisher's reputation in jeopardy

(Turnitin Achieving Academic Integrity)

You can avoid plagiarism by:

Supporting your writing with evidence
Keeping track of ideas and/or resources and where you found them
Giving credit and citing your sources correctly
Knowing how to quote, paraphrase and summarize

Tracking Your Sources

When working on an assignment, it is important to keep track of the resources you are using. In doing so, you can ensure you cite all of the sources you reference in your work.

Tips to track sources

Cite as you go. Many of the Library's databases, as well as the catalogue, have a built in citation tool. The Library has a guide on how to find this tool. This built in tool can help you to create a "rough draft" of your citations and help to manage references. It is important to check these citations to make sure they are correct and to follow the proper citation rules before submitting your assignment.
Use Permalinks and DOIs when gathering links. These are links that are more stable than a URL, making them a better option to use to keep track of your sources. Most resources that can be found through the Library databases and catalogue contain an option to get the permalink or DOI.
Download or print articles as you find them.
Most databases and items in the Library catalogue have an option to send articles to your email or Google Drive.
Create a research log as you work. The log can include information like citation, link, title, database, etc. to help keep track of the sources you've used.
Bookmark the sites/resources you've used so you can easily find them again.
Pin works that you're using in the Library catalogue. You can later access them in "My Favorites" on the library website.

Academic Integrity Guide

Our AI Guide provides students with information and resources to understand and uphold the principles of honesty, fairness, and responsibility in their academic work. It outlines expectations for ethical conduct, including avoiding plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty.

AI Student Guide

Contract Cheating: What is it?

Contract cheating, in the broadest definition is when students outsource their academic work (tests, assignments, essays etc. ) for a third party to complete (Turnitin, 2024) Outsourcing student work is not limited to essay mills or third-party sites, and it does not always include payment. It also includes the following scenarios:

Having classmates, former students, tutors, friends or family do your work, including as a favor without payment.
Downloading a paper from a free website

Contract cheating has a negative impact on the learning environment, impacting learning relationships for students and the trust that instructors have towards student assignment submissions. It devalues education, as individuals receive undeserved awards and grades, graduate with profound knowledge gaps, and develop a habit of engaging in dishonest behaviours professionally (ICAI, 2020). Contract cheating may seem like a quick solution, but has long-term consequences.

You can learn more about contract cheating on the International Center for Academic Integrity website, by connecting with your instructor or by contacting the Mohawk College Academic Integrity Office.