How to avoid plagiarism

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism occurs when you present someone else's work or ideas without making it clear that it is not your own work. It is sometimes referred to as false authorship. 

It can be done intentionally - e.g. copying directly from others or the internet and buying essays. Plagiarism can also be unintentional - e.g. incorrect referencing, forgetting to include citations or a reference list/bibliography of the sources you have used, and inappropriate use of generative AI.

You can also self-plagiarise, if you submit your own previously assessed work as part of a new assignment without proper acknowledgement.

 Start the online tutorial - Understanding plagiarism

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How to avoid plagiarism

These are the two main ways to avoid plagiarism:

• Adopt correct and precise reference management and record keeping practices while reading information sources and making notes.
• Apply consistent and accurate referencing while writing up assignments.

Think of referencing as an ongoing part of your work, not as an afterthought.

Reference management when making notes

Adopting good reference management means keeping details of the information sources as you read them and make notes about them.

See Note making - Referencing: the essentials

Referencing

In academic writing, referencing is a two-part process:

• Add in-text citations for quotes, paraphrases, and summaries in the body of your assignment.

Good practice of when to quote:

• Quoting is including a short section of a source using exactly the same words as those used by the original author.
• The use of quotations varies considerably between disciplines. Reading widely will help you develop this skill within your discipline.

Good practice of when to paraphrase:

• Paraphrasing is putting a specific concept of an author into your own words.
• It does not mean changing the odd word, but it is showing your own understanding of it.

Good practice of when to summarise:

• Summarising is briefly presenting the main concepts of a source or a substantial part of it.
• It is outlining the key points or the overall meaning while showing your own understanding.

See Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarising - Referencing: the essentials

See StudySkills@Sheffield How to paraphrase and quote

• Compile a reference list or bibliography 

Include a reference list or bibliography at the end of your work, listing in details the sources you have used or cited.

See Reference lists & bibliographies - Referencing: the essentials

If you are likely to be dealing with large numbers of references, consider using reference management software like EndNote.

Book a place - Using reference management software: an introduction workshop/webinar

To see other types of academic misconduct and how you can prevent them, visit:

StudySkills@Sheffield Academic integrity and academic misconduct

Next steps

How to reference

How to make notes

Generative AI and academic integrity

Further resources 

Reference management software | Library

University of Cambridge Library guide: Summarising