What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism can be defined as copying the information from the original information sources without changing the content matter and without mentioning the source of information from where the information has been obtained. It is purely unethical work in nature some times illegal and equivalent to theft. It is stealing valuable information from the original content and producing it as his/her own content.

Causes and Effects of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a kind of dishonest work, where students deceive themselves by copying the information from others work which may affect their intellectual development. It prevents students from developing their creative ideas and analysis. Writing an assignment on a particular subject is sometimes equal to writing reviews on the original content of that subject which is really challenging work. One of the main objectives of universities and educational institutions is preparing the students to face any challenging task either in professional life or in family life. Continuous hard work is required to achieve desired academic grade. Thus academic institutions are very much cautious about plagiarism work.

Normally assignments or project works would be assigned to students to understand the subjects well and to boost their knowledge in a particular subject. Due to anxiety of completing the assignment within time limit, students take up shortcut method by copying the information using modern technology. Today internet helps students by providing any kind of information about any topic. Some students may not even know that copying the information from internet is unethical.

Results of Plagiarism
Concern of the institutions is if the students attempt to do plagiarism they may not get appropriate knowledge about the subject. It affects the reputation and the quality of the institution. Plagiarism is popular in graduate and post graduate levels of education. In these levels serious project works with data collection, analysis and interpretations and assignments with practical examples are necessary.

Plagiarism in these levels is sometimes serious illegal matter and offensive; students may be suspended or terminated for future semesters. Different types of penalties are imposed in different universities. They may include disqualification students for the final examinations, cancellation of grades in past assignments, refusal to accept the assignment for valuation etc.

Termination from the course may affect the credibility and reputation of the student which also will affect their future life. However before imposing any kind of disciplinary action in some educational institutions there are internal arrangements for checking the occurrences of plagiarism works in order to maintain discipline and quality in education system.

Penalties for plagiarism in USA academic Institutions
In USA plagiarism is beyond the control, not only in academic fields but also in journalism and research work. In order to maintain high quality in statusquo education system and reputation of the institution, some institutions have orientation sessions about the plagiarism in order to develop practical knowledge about the subjects. Learning skill, interest about the subject and hard work abilities differ from student to student. Thus the plagiarism work is unavoidable matter in most of the institutions in USA.
However there are different types of penalties imposed for plagiarism works in USA institutions. These are’
a) Student may be dismissed for the remaining period of the course.
b) Students may be dismissed from the college or university.
c) Students may obtain Fail grade in final examination.
d) Department of the particular stream may reject the assignment and can ask the students to rewrite the assignment.
e) If the institution finds continuous repetition of plagiarism, this affects the morale of the other students; it may take legal action against such student.

Penalties for plagiarism in UK academic Institutions
UK is also one of the major global education centers so plagiarism is also popular in UK educational institutions. But there is no standardized system to punish the plagiarism related offenses. The managements of these institutions consider some factors before taking any action. These factors include, whether the plagiarism work is done purposely or without knowledge, the past performance and the character of the accused student, and the knowledge level of the student.

Penalties may vary from the mild disciplinary actions to serious legal actions. (Education) These are also more or less similar as the penalties imposed in USA Institutions
Some penalties are,
1. Decrease in the grade level,
2. Rewriting the assignment within the time imposed by the management,
3. Management may refuse to value the assignment or granting zero marks,
4. Student may be suspended from the course
5. If the management finds it is a serious offense student may be dismissed from the institution
6. Legal action against the offender for the continuous violation of plagiarism rules of the institution.

Writing Original Content
Plagiarism should be taken as serious matter because there is no value to the hard work of the original writer. The original writer is always proud of his work. Hence it is also intellectual property like any other valuable physical property.
In order to avoid plagiarism one must use the footnote in every page indicating the source of information.
Bibliography part of the project report indicates references made by the writer. Bibliography should also contain the title of the book, name of the author and the year of the publication. If the information is downloaded from website, the websites address and particular page address should be clearly mentioned.
While writing paraphrasing if a writer likes to use a word from original content it is better to put quotation marks inside the content or foot notes should be inserted at the bottom of the pages.