► Plagiarism

How to avoid plagiarism

Always acknowledge anyone else's ideas that you use in your work by quoting the source of the information. There are different ways of doing this, for example:

In an essay or assignment, when quoting another person's words "put their words in quotation marks" or indent and refer to the author in the bibliography and in your list of references.

In computer software show where information has come from in the acknowldgements or credits, eg. programme design - A Brown, or Graphics - J Smith;

When using an artefact, put a caption against the object, eg. "original photograph by Cartier-Bresson"

If presenting an original piece of work based on an existing design or work of art, quote the source, eg "after Rodin", "after Eckersley";

If using a strategy of 'appropriation' (ie the deliberate and conscious use of the style and images of another artist) make sure you tell your tutors what you are doing and why and acknowledge the strategy when submitting work for asessment;

In a group project make sure all the members of the group are listed. If individuals undertake specific work within the project, make sure that this is acknowledged;

In examinations do not copy another person's work. Don not quote passages froma text-book or journal without acknowledging the source.

For more detailed information on referencing you may want to look at the citing sources section on Wikipedia Website, paying particular attention to the system the University of Arts follows: the Harvard Referencing system.

Your tutor will give you specific guidance on the correct way to acknowledge work belonging to other people that you may wish to refer to in any assignment, design breifs, or essays that you are set.

Failure to acknowledge the use of aonther person's ideas in your work may be considered to be a breach of the University of the Arts London's Disciplinary Code for Students and/or the academic regulations; it may also constitute a breach of intellectual property rights, eg copyright. Such an offence is likely to lead to loss of marks, downgrading or withdrawal of marks, and serious or repeated plagiarism may lead to suspension from the course. In addition a breach of copyright may lead to legal action.

What happens if you are accused of plagiarism?

If a tutor or external examiner suspects you of cheating by plagiarism or other subterfuge in order to improve results, the tutor will be required to report their suspicions immediately to the Course Director and Dean.

This report will be in written form, outlining the detail of the suspected plagiarism and, where possible, identifying collaborative evidence.

You should be informed in writing of the allegation by the course director, and given the opportunity to accept or refute the allegation. By accepting you may like to write an explanation of your side of the situation. You must do this within seven days of receipt of the letter. Copies of all correspondence should be forwarded to your College Administrator.

Should you deny the allegation, your administrator will arrange a meeting with yourself, the Course Director and two other members of staff (including the tutor who first reported the incident). The administrator will attend the meeting and prepare a written report, giving details of the case, identifying any collaborative evidence, the response from the student and the recommended action. This report will be made available to the Exam Board.

Should you accept that cheating by plagiarism has taken place, then the administrator shall convene a meeting between your Course Director, tutor who made the allegation, and the Dean (as chairman of the Examination Board), who will recommend an appropriate penalty.

It must also be decided whether your offence is sufficiently serious to warrant a disciplany hearing under the The University of the Arts London Disciplany Code. A copy of the report produced during either of the two meetings will be sent to the Dean or Head of College to consider.

You will be informed in writing, within two working days of the Examination Board, of the recommended action and penalty imposed.

If the Exam Board concludes that plagiarism did that place the outcome of any enquiry shall be placed in your file or record. This outcome should also be made available to any disciplinary hearing who may take this into account in their deliberations.

For guidelines on what constitutes minor or serious offences of plagiarism click here.