We assume that all students are already familiar with the basic concepts of academic integrity, and understand the definition of plagiarism. As you begin to conduct research, and to write about your research, it is especially important to be conscious of the need to provide proper attribution and credit for the work of others, including for previous results, interpretations, and data.
Figuring out how to provide proper attribution, and hence avoid plagiarism, requires considering how the reader will perceive what you have written. What will the reader understand you to have done? What will she or he perceive someone else to have done, written, or said?
There are several ways in which we, as writers, can indicate
that we are relying on the work or words of others. These include
providing citation information in the text when we rely on
information or interpretations provided by others, and which we
paraphrase (in some contexts, but not in the senior thesis,
citations are provided in footnotes); and enclosing text written
or spoken by others in quotation marks or block quotes, together
with the appropriate citation. Some conventions vary from field to
field, but the underlying principle is always that the reader must
be able to identify the source of the work presented, and of the
words used.
We encourage you to work through the (short) online course on
plagiarism provided by Indiana University. It provides a number of
very instructive and useful examples, including source text and
acceptable and unacceptable uses of that source text. That is, it
provides examples of writing about others' work that would
consitute plagiarism, and examples that would not. This course is
required for graduate students at Columbia.
We also expect you to read through the information provided by
Columbia about academic integrity. You should read all of the
bullets in the menu bar. Although this may sound like an
unpleasant chore, the information is useful, and it includes some
very sound practical advice about when and how to cite sources.
For those who are interested, you may wish to read the
perspective on plagiarism linked below, written by attorney Dr.
Ronald B. Standler (who also holds a Ph.D. in physics). He also
provides a very real-world perspective on the importance of
acknowledging the work of others in the 'terms of service' posted
on his web page.
Finally, we remind you of the honor codes of Barnard College and Columbia College:
Barnard:
Honor Code:
We, the students of Barnard College, resolve to uphold the honor
of the College by refraining from every form of dishonesty in our
academic life. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or
receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any papers or
books not authorized by the instructor in examinations, or to
present oral work or written work which is not entirely our own,
unless otherwise approved by the instructor. We consider it
dishonest to remove without authorization, alter, or deface
library and other academic materials. We pledge to do all that is
in our power to create a spirit of honesty and honor for its own
sake.
Columbia:
Pledge:
We, the undergraduate students of Columbia University, hereby
pledge to value the integrity of our ideas and the ideas of others
by honestly presenting our work, respecting authorship, and
striving not simply for answers but for understanding in the
pursuit of our common scholastic goals. In this way, we seek to
build an academic community governed by our collective efforts,
diligence, and Code of Honor.
Honor Code:
I affirm that I will not plagiarize, use unauthorized materials,
or give or receive illegitimate help on assignments, papers, or
examinations. I will also uphold equity and honesty in the
evaluation of my work and the work of others. I do so to sustain a
community built around this Code of Honor.