Answered By: Brian Richards Last Updated: Sep 21, 2026 Views: 16
Plagiarism occurs when a person presents someone else's words, ideas, research, data, images, or other creative work as their own without providing appropriate credit.
Academic work builds upon the ideas and discoveries of others. Using sources is an important part of the research process, but researchers must clearly acknowledge where information, evidence, and ideas originated.
Examples of Plagiarism
Plagiarism can occur in several ways, including:
- Copying text without quotation marks and a citation
- Paraphrasing someone else's work without providing credit
- Using another person's ideas without acknowledging the source
- Submitting someone else's work as your own
- Using images, charts, or data without proper attribution
What About Paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing means expressing an idea in your own words. Even when you rewrite information, you must still acknowledge the original source.
Changing a few words in a sentence does not make the information your own. If the idea came from another source, that source should be cited.
How Can I Avoid Plagiarism?
- Keep track of the sources you use during research
- Place copied text in quotation marks and cite the source
- Cite sources when paraphrasing or summarizing
- Record complete citation information as you research
- Review assignment requirements and citation guidelines
Good note-taking and careful citation practices make it much easier to avoid plagiarism.
Why Do Citations Matter?
Citations allow readers to:
- Identify where information originated
- Verify evidence and claims
- Explore additional sources on a topic
- Recognize the contributions of other researchers
Providing proper credit is an important part of academic integrity and responsible scholarship.
Can AI-Generated Content Lead to Plagiarism?
Potentially.
Artificial intelligence tools can generate content based on information drawn from large collections of existing materials. Researchers should carefully review AI-generated content, verify information, and follow instructor or institutional guidelines regarding AI use.
AI tools should support learning and research, not replace original thinking, analysis, or responsible source use.
Mistakes Can Still Be Problems
Plagiarism is not always intentional. Missing citations, incomplete references, or accidental misuse of sources can still create academic integrity concerns.
Taking time to document sources accurately and review your work before submission can help prevent mistakes.
Need Help?
Librarians at the Brother Edmond Drouin Library can help you understand citation styles, manage sources, paraphrase appropriately, and use information ethically throughout the research process.