Academic misconduct is considered a very serious breech of ethics. You can find out detailed information to help you recognize and avoid being accused of plagiarism on this LibGuide.
Simply put plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or words without giving them credit. As students and scholars we frequently incorporate the research and writings of others into our own work. It is critical that we give credit to those who produced the information we are using to complete or further our scholarship.
Make sure to give credit when you:
Plagiarism: the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language, creative works, and/or thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work, as by not crediting the author (Adapted from: Dictionary.com)
Paraphrase: a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form, as for clearness; rewording. (Source: Dictionary.com)
Intellectual property: Law - property that results from original creative thought, as patents, copyright material, and trademarks. (Source: Dictionary.com)