With the easy availability of various research and academic papers over the internet and other sources, students and researchers are tempted to fall into the plagiarism trap. It is advisable for students or researchers to refrain from plagiarising while writing a research or academic papers. In order to avoid plagiarism either intentional or accidental, following measures can be adopted

In order to, better understand the concepts and theories, students and researchers take help of various written materials available online, libraries archives and other sources. However, when writing, it is important to critically analyse the source of information and give due credit to the original author(s) whenever the writer borrows their works or ideas. By analysing the source of information, students can identify and give accurate references to the legitimate writers and also avoid possible plagiarisms.

Citation is one of the best methods of avoiding plagiarism. There are many document formatting guidelines such as Harvard, MLA, APA, Oscola and many others which are discussed in detail in the later chapters of this paper. Citation is simple process and it usually involves the addition of author(s) and date of publication that is used by the student/researcher in his own work. Citations used in the preparation of written document must also be included in the reference list or bibliography given at the end of the document (research or academic documents). Accurate citations and references not only help the students or researchers avoid the problem of plagiarism but also increase the validity and authenticity of the written documents.

Another method of avoiding plagiarism is to do extensive research. It helps the writer develop greater understanding of the topic and subsequently present own point of view in their own words.

Copy and pasting information from websites or other sources is considered as plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism, it is advisable to use one’s own language, also, using proper quotations, citations and references wherever required in the written document while taking help from any existing material. While working on an assignment, it is important to keep track of one’s own ideas and ideas taken from other sources (with proper citations) to avoid confusion and possible plagiarism.

Paraphrasing is one of the most common practices that tempts both students and researchers equally. While paraphrasing it is important to use proper and logical sentence structure. However, the overall idea of another author’s work should not be changed while paraphrasing and genuine authors must be given adequate credit for their work.

One of the simplest methods students employ to write an academic paper is the use of synonyms to avoid plagiarism detection. However, use of synonyms not only degrades the quality of academic writing but also reflects poor understanding of the topic. In order to avoid this situation, students should try to present their ideas in their own words instead of using synonyms.

Academic writing is a form of writing that allows the expert to fulfill the requirements of an assessment that is provided by a college or a university for a particular course. To define it broadly, it means any assignment given to the students in an academic institution. This is a form of writing that requires more technical aspect and understanding rather than a creative bent. The content is to be organized and structured keeping into mind the specific academic requirements.

While drafting academic write-ups one needs to be careful about the given topic and subject concerned. The following account lists Do’s and Don’ts about the academic writing:

One should execute the write-up in formal language. (Example: The doctor examined the patient’s history to establish which treatments had formerly been implemented).
Write in plain language and the style of writing should be clear in the perspective.
Active voice should be used in the sentences. This means the verbs to work and use of direct sentences is advised. (Eg: The fire destroyed the entire region).
Always try to keep the sentences as coherent as possible. The writer should try to express his ideas in a brief and comprehensive manner.
Use of consistent tense: Well, in this perspective, present tense is the most common regarding academic papers.
The sentences should be devoid of any misplaced or dangling modifiers because they can confuse the readers. Example:
Correct: wearing a puma sweatshirt, Michael ate a cookie
Incorrect: Michael ate a cookie wearing a puma sweatshirt.
Be meticulous regarding grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Do not input jargons, slang, and wacky languages or for that matter sexist language.
Usage of shortened verb form is a strict no-no. Example:Correct: I am an early riser. Incorrect: I’m an early riser.

One should not use a common vocabulary, the likes of, the other thing, have got, etc.
Do not use first or second person tone of language ever in an academic assignment. Exceptions are in the case of reflective writings, where the writer is expected to incorporate his views.
Avoid being repetitive and waffling. Try to write as precisely as possible. The flow of content should be smooth.
One should avoid making assumptions and recommendations of your own unless mentioned in the academic work.
Do not mix numbers and words in an unsystematic manner which ruins the flow of writing.
Finally, there should not be an iota of plagiarism in the entire write-up.
Do not exaggerate the same idea in the paper.
Do not provide generalized contents. For example if you are asked to perform a SWOT analysis on TESCO, then you are not expected to explain what a SWOT means? You can directly start performing swot analysis on the said company with the assumption that the reader already knows what a SWOT is?

The academic writing calls for stringent criteria for gradation which is listed below. Here, qualifiers mean the parameters which form the essential part of the gradation criteria without which the paper would fail to get any grade from the assessor.

We would consider a write-up excellent should the topic be well supported with arguments and wide scope of critical analysis.

The sources are thoroughly incorporated, along with appropriate citation. The sources used are scholarly articles or books.

Very less language flaws, clear and concise conforming to the desired standards.

Appears focused relating to the task and thorough coverage with minor aspects missing.

Relatively good inclusion of references with lesser inconsistencies or faults in citation and bibliography.

No specific issues in terms of appropriate usage of language and maintaining of main criteria of the assignment.

Different aspects are missing in terms of task and the topic given;

Several types of errors including, limited bibliography, clumsy representation of basic idea and references to source material inappropriate.

Various problems relating to following of appropriate style and grammatical errors.

Difficulty in dealing with the topic clearly and write-up being unfocussed and too precise, lacking critical analysis and arguments.

Issues in terms of paraphrasing and possible plagiarism. Inability to incorporate source material etc.

Total inappropriate style of writing and consistent grammatical errors thereby making the entire article incomprehensible.

Plagiarizing someone else’s piece of work is an unforgivable offence. In the academic field, we deem it as a disciplinary crime. It is acceptable to refer to the informative sources and give the authors their due credit in the reference list of the academic research. However, blatantly copying other’s work without his consent and claiming it as your own is a huge offence. The researcher should always be careful to not fall into the trap of plagiarism at any cost.

In literal terms, verbatim means copying the work of others word by word with little alterations. Verbatim refers to the usage of quotations (word for word) without clear acknowledgement of the source. In academic writing, quotations are often used; in fact in some cases it becomes absolutely necessary to quote the author in order to add clarity. However, it is important to use quotation marks or indentation and complete referencing of the source cited. Quoted text should be clearly different from the work done by the author.

Example: Verbatim plagiarism occurs when a writer copies a sequence of seven or more words from another source, but fails to adequately identify the quoted passages and does not provide full in-text citation and bibliographic references. For instance:

Original Source Material
The printer constructs the object by depositing the first layer of material - such as molten plastic that hardens - and then another and another, gradually creating the desired shape. As the printer head moves back and forth, your 3-D vision becomes reality.

Plagiarised Version
The printer constructs the object by depositing the first layer of material - such as molten plastic that hardens - and then another and another, gradually creating the desired shape. As the printer head moves back and forth, your 3-D vision becomes reality.

Accidental plagiarism occurs without the intention of the writer but is still not acceptable in academic writing. There are many reasons that may lead to accidental plagiarism such as –

When the writer forgets to identify and present source of information while preparing initial notes for the material

Failure to put appropriate quotation marks while using quotes of other authors.

Apart from these, accidental or unintentional plagiarism can be the result of poor paraphrasing i.e. when the writer changes few words or phrases without changing the sentence structure changing sentence structure, but using vocabulary or jargons that are not part of one’s own vocabulary. Additionally, practices such as putting incomplete quotation marks or quoting paraphrased sentences; and citing poorly i.e. inaccurate or wrong citations fall under accidental plagiarism.

It is the practice of altering a few words, sentences or order of written material in such a manner that closely follows the overall structure of argument. Paraphrasing plagiarism occurs when the writer summarizes a previously written material in his own words but fails to acknowledge the original source from where the idea for the material has been borrowed.

Paraphrasing falls under plagiarism if the writer does not acknowledge the source of information through proper citation and referencing. Furthermore, in order to effectively paraphrase, students are required to rephrase the matter in their own words without changing the overall logical structure of the original material.

Original Source Material
The printer constructs the object by depositing the first layer of material--such as molten plastic that hardens--and then another and another, gradually creating the desired shape. As the printer head moves back and forth, your 3-D vision becomes reality.

Plagiarised Version
The printer manufactures the object by depositing layers of plastic one over another, gradually taking the desired shape. As the printer head moves back and forth, 3-D vision becomes reality.

Intentional plagiarism occurs when the writers or researchers are completely aware of the fact that they are passing off someone else’s work or ideas as their own. Intentional plagiarism occurs when the writer takes helps of various sources and copies few phrases or sentences to write the material.

Example of intentional plagiarisms includes consecutive words that are not quoted, a portion of paragraph from other sources without adequate citations, or presenting information from two or more sources but each fact’s source is not clearly mentioned.

Fabricating a source also comes under intentional plagiarism. Allowing someone else to write the paper or buying pre-written research or academic papers and presenting them as your own is the most blatant form of intentional plagiarism.

In addition, passing off someone else’s work taken from internet or any other source, copying the academic paper from online or electronic data base without giving credit to the author, cutting and pasting information from more than one sources and presenting them as one’s own work, and borrowing words or ideas of fellow researcher or student also comes under intentional plagiarism.

Auto plagiarism occurs when writer of the original material resubmits the work for some another purposes. Auto plagiarism can be defined as that type of plagiarism in which the author republishes his entire work or parts of his previous work. Although the original work is done by that of the same writer, resubmission (partial or complete) of the exact same work is still unacceptable.. Auto plagiarism can be accidental or intentional. Many authors believe that auto or self plagiarism does not comes under the purview of plagiarism as they are not passing off someone else’s work as their own previous work. The debate over the possible use of auto plagiarism and the ethics of self plagiarism has become even more important as auto plagiarism can lead to publisher’s copyright infringements.

Auto or self plagiarism is a newer phenomenon and traditional definitions of plagiarism does not account for self plagiarism. While plagiarism is defined as an act of taking credit for the work or ideas of others, self plagiarism refers to the practice of reproducing one’s own work as new. Some of the common types of self plagiarisms are –

Republishing previously published paper without notifying the reader or publisher

Publishing a significant piece of study/research as smaller studies in order to increase the number of publications

Inaccurate citation also constitutes plagiarism. Following instances comes under inaccurate citations practices –

Apart from omission of important information such as author’s name, publisher and page numbers in the citations, providing inaccurate information also constitute inaccurate citation. The purpose of citation is to give due credit to the original author and enabling the readers to identify what are the author’s own ideas and what ideas has been borrowed.

Plagiarism also involves the use of materials written specifically for someone else even with the consent of parties or agencies who have written the material.

In order to maintain intellectual honesty and academic integrity it is very important to acknowledge the original source of any idea, expression or other information used to form the basis of any kind of academic work. Passing off someone else’s work as your own is not only unacceptable but also reflects poor scholarship and lack of ethical values.

The consequences of plagiarism can be extremely serious; some of the implication of plagiarism can be –