This guide contains some information that originally appeared in “Plagiarism: A Guide to Research Postgraduate Students at the University  of Hong Kong” by Dr. Sara R. Jordan.

As a RIEM student, it is your responsibility to be informed about what constitutes academic misconduct, how to avoid it, and what consequences you will face if you decide to engage in it. The academic standards for all SWUFE colleges and departments are detailed below. Examples of academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarizing, lying, cheating, stealing, and copying another student’s homework.

Plagiarize (verb:pla·gia·rize \ˈplā-jə-ˌrīz also -jē-ə-)                      

To steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own: to use (another’s production) without crediting the source

-Merriam-Webster Dictionary

What is plagiarism?

• Plagiarism is taking credit for someone else’s work or      ideas

  • Claiming it as your own (example: copying and pasting)

  • Not giving sufficient credit (citing the source, but not indicating direct quotations)

  • Assignmentrefers to any work (mandatory or voluntary) that is submitted for review, academic credit, and/or       disciplinary sanction.

• Lying     refers to the act of communicating untruths or misrepresentations in order to gain an unfair academic or employment advantage.

• Cheatingis the act of wrongfully using or attempting to use unauthorized  materials, information, study aids, or the ideas or work of another in      order to gain an unfair advantage.

• Stealingis the act of intentionally taking or appropriating the property of another, including academic work, without consent or permission, and with the intent to keep or use the property without the permission of the owner or rightful possessor 

Why do people plagiarize?

• There is no good excuse for plagiarism.

• Sometimes, plagiarism is intentional (direct plagiarism).

  • The assignment is too hard, the  student is too busy, or the student is lazy

• Sometimes, plagiarism is unintentional (indirect plagiarism).

  • The student forgets to give credit  or uses someone else’s exact words instead of paraphrasing

• Punishment focuses entirely on the act, not the  intention.

  • Punishments are harsh in order to  stop others from doing the same

• The easiest way to avoid punishment is to avoid  plagiarizing!

What are the penalties for academic misconduct?

• Plagiarism is a serious offense in higher education

  • Plagiarizing has severe  consequences (failing grade, being expelled from school, permanently       harmed reputation)

  • RIEM holds its students to a very high standard, so plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.

• The following are  disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed for academic misconduct in accordance  with the procedures from the RIEM Academic Office.

  • A lower or failing grade on the particular assignment or test

  • A lower grade in the course

  • A  failing grade in the course

  • Removal  of the student from the course in progress

  • A  written reprimand to be included in the student’s disciplinary file

  • Disciplinary  probation

  • Suspension  or expulsion from the university

·    One or more of the aforementioned disciplinary sanctions may be imposed for academic misconduct.

How can you avoid plagiarizing?

• Always give credit where credit is due!

  • It’s better to cite too much than  not enough (especially direct quotations).

  • Learn (and practice) paraphrasing and giving citations and references.

  • If you need help, please ask

    • Contact the RIEM Academic Office  for additional information

• Education!

  • There are a variety of available resources that you can use to learn more about citations (the internet,       books, your professors, etc.)

• Use turnitin.com

  • This is a website that will show you if you are plagiarizing your writing assignments.

Academic Misconduct Comprehension Quiz!

What is plagiarism?

What are some punishments for plagiarism?

What is direct and indirect plagiarism? Is one punished more lightly than the other?

What is paraphrasing? How can it help you at RIEM?

What is an acceptable reason to plagiarize?

How can you avoid plagiarizing?