What is plagiarism?

Confused student

Find out what plagiarism is and how to avoid it The definition of plagiarism according to the Oxford Dictionary Online is “the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own”. As such, it is a form of fraud and must be avoided as it is harshly treated by … Read more

What is self plagiarism?

Student studying at a desk

Find out about self plagiarism and how to avoid it While plagiarism is the act of using the research or words of others without attribution, self-plagiarism involves reusing one’s own work. In some circles, self plagiarism is a controversial concept. Some might argue that one cannot steal from oneself. However, there are certain cases in … Read more

Plagiarism prevention through changing mindset

Cheating students in a classroom

Looking at why a different mindset is needed to tackle plagiarism. Whilst plagiarism checkers like plagiarismchecker.net do a lot of good work in helping students identify accidental plagiarism, the real key for educators is in prevention. The task of preventing plagiarism entails examining its root causes and changing your students’ mindset.  This article looks the … Read more

Teachers make it easy for students to plagiarise

Bored students in class

When teachers set assignments, sometimes they make it very easy for students to plagiarise. This is down to tasks being poorly designed, in a way that encourages students to find the answer (for example, on the Internet). Examples of poor task design are: Conversely, teachers can reduce the risk of students plagiarising by designing tasks … Read more

Plagiarism and the fraud triangle

Fraud and plagiarism

Plagiarism comprises a major academic fraud. It dwarfs the validity of academic effort and further impedes the quality of academic research. Many academic institutions decry the proliferation of the vice among students. To oversee the initiative, such institutions align themselves to stringent guidelines, which define the parameters of plagiarism, and the interventions that will engage … Read more

Plagiarism from a teacher’s point of view

Teacher in the classroom

There’s already a lot of information out there on the Internet and in handouts from schools/colleges/universities, even on this website, in relation to plagiarism. You know what it is: copying someone else’s work to benefit your own success without paraphrasing (re-writing in your own words so you can show your understanding of the material).  Also, … Read more

5 innovative online learning companies that will change education in the next 5 years

Online learning

With the advances and availability of technology, traditional classrooms delivery systems are transforming into online learning opportunities. Current avenues of instruction include college and university courses developed and maintained by the institutions. Due to costs and the speed of emerging innovations, much of the online coursework is transferring to companies with the funding, staff, and technology platforms … Read more

Why is academic integrity important?

Student outside a university building

In this article, a student previously accused of academic dishonesty talks about the importance of academic integrity.  Would you want a dentist to perform your liposuction surgery? Or perhaps a janitor to fix your electrical lines? These two questions have one major question in common: would you want someone to perform a service that they … Read more