Claiming credit for someone else’s work: Plagiarism

You must not present someone else’s work, in whole or in part, as your own. Plagiarism may be deliberate or accidental. Work means any intellectual output, and typically includes text, data, images, designs, sound and performance.

Why is this a problem?

Copying and claiming credit for other people’s work makes it impossible for markers to judge your own abilities and understanding. It undermines the whole basis of assessment. Action against plagiarism is vital to ensure that work is marked fairly.

What can I do to avoid problems with my work?

1) Take notes carefully, expressing key points concisely and in your own words.

2) Keep a full and accurate record of the sources you consult when reading and researching for an assessment. This is essential for referencing.

3) Use your own words to express ideas and convey information in your assessed work.

4) Check your understanding of the principles of citation and referencing using the skills@library website.

5) Cite and reference all your sources in your assessed work.

6) If you include exact quotes from other authors in your work, identify the words concerned with quotation marks. You must not present someone else’s work, in whole or in part, as your own.

Plagiarism may be deliberate or accidental. Work means any intellectual output, and typically includes text, data, images, designs, sound and performance.

What are the penalties if something goes wrong?

Penalties are designed to help you to improve your working practices. Their exact nature will depend on the seriousness of the case and your level of study. Penalties for work that contributes towards your degree (Level 2 and above – including PGT and PGR) normally include a requirement to submit new work for a reduced or zero mark. Extensive and repeated plagiarism will lead to permanent exclusion from the University. For more information, see the Academic Misconduct Procedure available on the Student Cases webpage.