Policies/Plagiarism

Overview	Assignments	Attendance	Behavior	Communication	Evaluation	Plagiarism

The Oxford English Dictionary defines plagiarism as

“ the wrongful appropriation or purloining, and publication as one’s own, of the ideas, or the expression of the ideas (literary, artistic, musical, mechanical, etc.) of another [or] a purloined idea, design, passage, or work. ”

According to the MGA Student Handbook, plagiarism is “using another’s phrasing, concepts or line of reasoning as your own without giving proper credit to the author or creator.”

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Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s ideas, words, or work as your own without giving proper credit. It is a form of academic dishonesty and a violation of ethical standards. Plagiarism can occur in various forms, including but not limited to:

Direct Plagiarism

This occurs when a student copies and pastes text from a source without any quotation marks or proper citation. For example:

Original Source: “The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift in the economic and social fabric of society.”

Plagiarized Version: The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift in the economic and social fabric of society.

In this example, the student has copied the sentence verbatim without giving credit to the original author.

Paraphrasing Plagiarism

Paraphrasing plagiarism happens when a student rephrases someone else's work without properly acknowledging the source. For example:

Original Source: “According to recent studies, regular exercise has numerous health benefits.”

Plagiarized Version: Recent research indicates that exercising regularly offers various advantages for one's well-being.

Here, the student has altered the wording of the original source but failed to provide a proper citation.

Patchwriting

Patchwriting occurs when a student combines copied phrases or sentences from multiple sources without proper citation or without sufficient changes in wording. For example:

Original Source 1: “Climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems.”

Original Source 2: “The rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can lead to habitat loss.”

Plagiarized Version: Climate change is a serious threat to the world's ecosystems, as it can cause habitat loss due to increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.

The student has stitched together phrases and ideas from the original sources without giving credit.

Self-Plagiarism

Self-plagiarism occurs when a student submits their own previous work without proper citation or permission from the instructor. This includes reusing essays, papers, or parts of previous assignments. Examples include:

Scenario: A student submits an essay they previously submitted for another course without notifying the instructor or obtaining permission.

In this case, the student is presenting their own work as new, which is considered a form of plagiarism.

Plagiarism with AI Tools

Plagiarism includes allowing someone else to prepare work that you present as your own. With the advancement of AI tools, students may misuse them to generate content without proper attribution or acknowledgment. Using AI-generated text or content without citation constitutes plagiarism. Examples include:

Scenario: A student uses an AI text generator to create a paper and presents it as their own.

Like purchasing or copying an essay from the Web, using AI-generated content as your you own constitutes plagiarism.

Consequences of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious offense that can result in disciplinary actions, which may include but are not limited to:

1. Receiving a failing grade on the assignment.
2. Receiving a failing grade for the course.
3. Academic probation.
4. Suspension or expulsion from the institution.

It is essential for students to understand the importance of academic integrity and the consequences of plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism, students should always provide proper citations and references for all sources used, whether it is a direct quote, paraphrase, or summary. Students are encouraged to seek guidance from instructors or refer to institutional guidelines on proper citation formats and practices.

Resources

• The MGA English Department’s Definition of Plagiarism
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• On Plagiarism by Chip Rogers
• Plagiarism.org
• Preventing and Recognizing Plagiarism and Cheating: A Guide for College Teachers and Students
• Is it Plagiarism if I Borrow Someone's Ideas

AI Tools

I recognize the increasing prevalence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in various academic endeavors. While technology can be a valuable aid in the learning process, students must follow certain guidelines for the ethical and responsible use of AI within the context of this academic setting. This policy aims to clarify the role of AI as a tool, establish its boundaries, and emphasize the importance of academic integrity.

AI as a Tool

AI tools may be used in the course to enhance certain aspects of academic work. However, students must understand that AI should be viewed as a supplementary tool, not a replacement for genuine intellectual engagement and effort. For example, while a calculator may save much time and effort in a math course, one should not be used until you know how to save an equation yourself.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in their coursework. Any attempt to use AI-generated materials as a substitute for original work constitutes a breach of academic honesty. Plagiarism, whether facilitated by AI or any other means, is strictly prohibited and will result in severe consequences (see above).

Cheating and Consequences

The use of generative AI to generate, modify, or replicate academic work with the intention of passing it off as one’s own is considered cheating. Such actions undermine the educational process and compromise academic integrity. Students suspected of engaging in such activities will receive a grade of zero for the assignment, and further disciplinary actions may be taken.

Responsible AI Use

Students are encouraged to approach the use of AI with responsibility and transparency. If AI tools are employed in the creation of academic work, students should clearly acknowledge and cite their use. Failure to disclose the use of AI tools, even unintentionally, may be construed as an act of academic dishonesty.

Learning Objectives

This policy is designed to foster a learning environment where students develop critical thinking skills, research abilities, and a deep understanding of the subject matter. Dependence on AI-generated content hinders the achievement of these objectives. Students should recognize the value of independent thought, research, and analysis in the academic process. The use of AI should complement and enhance these skills rather than replace them.

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