PLAGIARISM & COLLUSION September 2013

1. PLAGIARISM & COLLUSIONSeptember 2013 Based on a presentation produced by Karen Bates & Emma Sutton School of Health Sciences Plagiarism Officers, UEA Adapted by Louise Cogher Institute Plagiarism Officer

2. What do we mean by plagiarism and collusion? • It is using the ideas and words of others, and giving the impression that they are your own • It is CHEATING! • It is THEFT! • It is a very serious academic offence

3. What do the UEA say Plagiarism and Collusion are? • Plagiarism is defined as the “unacknowledged use of another person’s work”. • Collusion is described by the UEA as a “form of plagiarism involving unauthorised co-operation between at least 2 people, with the intent to deceive” • Attempts to disguise the source of the material, either intentional or un-intentional, is considered plagiarism • This may be demonstrated by omission of references, misrepresentation of sources used or unidentified verbatim quotes. • In the 2009/10 academic year 5 IHSCS students have been seen as part of a formal investigation

4. Main forms of plagiarism • Copying text, illustrations, diagrams, charts, tables, data from a book, an article, a website, a newspaper, a lecture handout or slide, and not referencing it • Paraphrasing (rewriting in your own words) without referencing the source. • May be a single sentence!

5. Other forms of plagiarism • Working with other students on assignments that are to be assessed as individual work (A tricky one – check with lecturer/personal teacher) • Lending your work to another student (you are both considered guilty!)

6. Remember… • The whole point of doing assignments is to demonstrate and consolidate your learning • By using a string of regurgitated facts and opinions of others tells the reader nothing about what you know, and what you have learned, and how you are internalising the information you are reading. • READ, THINK, PARAPHRASE, COMMENT & APPLY • then REFERENCE

7. A few pointers… • Remind yourself of the UEA Policy -outlined in your Handbook. • You are responsible for ensuring you understand and avoid plagiarism….as you progress you will be viewed as an ‘experienced’ student and as such are expected to produce work accordingly. • Ensure you know the difference between primary and secondary sources, and how to present these appropriately. • When making notes from electronic resources, texts or journals, make sure you have a clear system for identifying directly lifted words • AVOID cutting and pasting…

8. Getting caught: indications • The marker will have read the core texts and other relevant material • Changes in writing style are easy to spot • The marker will be marking other scripts • Overuse of websites as references raises suspicion

9. Getting caught - Turnitin • Turnitin is the online plagiarism software used by the UEA • An electronic version of your work can be submitted to Turnitin and compared with an extensive database of documents • It enables the plagiarism officer to identify the source and quantity of any copied material

10. In Summary • Plagiarism is wrong – it is academic cheating • It is taken extremely seriously by the Institute and the University • We will not ignore any suspected cases of plagiarism or collusion • As a registered practitioner you could find your case referred to the relevant regulatory body e.g. the NMC • If in doubt - ASK

11. Final thoughts • Often students plagiarise and collude as they are frightened of failing • The worry may make it seem worth the risk However: • Cheats are nearly always caught • The chances of getting caught increase each year • The outcome can be far worse than failing

12. Sources of help and advice • Student Handbook • Personal Teacher • IHSCS Plagiarism Officer (Louise Cogher) lcogher@health.gov.gg Tel: 707469) •  UEA plagiarism awareness site: http://www.uea.ac.uk/services/students/let_service/let_plagiarism_aware

13. Thank you for listeningAny Questions?