Guest Post: Some University-Based Websites on Plagiarism

[This post is from AuthorAID community member Lenny Rhine. Dr. Rhine coordinates the E-Library Training Initiative, Librarians Without Borders/Medical Library Association (USA). Thank you, Lenny! —Barbara]   

Knowing how to avoid plagiarism is very important for researchers. Listed below are 5 university-based websites that discuss plagiarism. These freely accessible sites can aid in avoiding plagiarism oneself and in instructing students. Many of these sites have examples. 

• Acadia University: You Quote It, You Note It! This website contains a 10-minute illustrated tutorial on major aspects of plagiarism. The tutorial includes examples geared toward what students need to know. It also includes several “yes/no” questions to answer. 
• DePauw University: Avoiding Plagiarism. In addition to defining and describing plagiarism, this guide contains sections on types of plagiarism, why students plagiarize, ways to avoid plagiarism, and plagiarism on the Web.
• Duke University Libraries: Avoiding Plagiarism. This site includes an overview of plagiarism. There is a link to an accompanying site on citation. 
• University of California, Davis:  Avoiding Plagiarism. This 2-page overview is geared toward students. It summarizes what plagiarism is, why one should be concerned about plagiarism, and how to cite sources. In addition, it includes guidelines for avoiding plagiarism and some examples.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Plagiarism. This site is the web version of a handout for students. It explains what plagiarism is and outlines the steps that students can follow to avoid plagiarism. It also explains what “common knowledge” is and discusses paraphrasing.

These websites are among those listed in an authorship skills Web-Bibliography available on the HINARI Training Materials page.