Transcript Library 101 - Northwestern State University

Doing Research Right:
Harnessing the Power of
Library and Internet
Resources
Gail Kwak, Elizabeth Graves, and Abbie Landry
Watson Memorial Library
21 July 2015
I Have A Research Paper To Do! Now
What?
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Use the library catalog and databases to find
secondary sources on your topic
Your teacher does not expect you to come up with
original ideas in your research
How you organize, analyze, compare, and synthesize
the information is your contribution
ALWAYS cite any idea not your own
Once you have cited the idea, then you can use it (not
claim it as your own) in your research
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The Wrong Way = Plagiarism
What is it?
“The unauthorized use or close imitation of
the language and thoughts of another
author and the representation of them as
one’s own original work.”
Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 2nd ed.
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NSU Student Handbook
Definition
SECTION 1.0 Academic Infractions
1.4 “‘Plagiarism’ defined as the use of any
other person’s work and the
unacknowledged incorporation of that
work in one’s own work in fulfillment of
academic requirements.”
From NSU Student Handbook 2010-2011 p. 61
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Penalties for Plagiarism From NSU
Student Handbook 2007-08
SECTION 2.0 Sanctions for Academic Misconduct
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Expulsion
Suspension
Probation
Drop in Grade
Censure: An official, written reprimand
NSU Student Handbook 2010-2011 pp. 67-68
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The Right Way = Giving Credit
Where It Is Due
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Always site your scholarly sources properly –
once you’ve done this, you can use them in your
paper
Always evaluate and cite Internet resources
Always remember to attribute paraphrased
words and ideas to their source
Do your own work
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When in doubt – ASK!
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Paraphrasing: Do It Right
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Not citing a paraphrase is plagiarism
Changing a few words or the sentence
structure is not enough to make the idea your
own
Even when you rewrite the passage in your
own words, you must signal in the body of
your paper and in your bibliography you are
using someone else’s idea
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Is There Anything I Don’t Need To Cite?
Your own ideas – Your don’t need to cite
your contribution to the research
 Common Knowledge – You don’t need to
cite commonly known facts stated in your
own words
 When in doubt, error on the side of safety
and CITE!
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Learn Proper Citation Formats
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Citation formats are easy to learn
Copies of most style manuals are available in
the library – ask at the reference desk
Purdue University’s online writing lab (OWL)
has a lot of good examples.
Don’t wait until the last minute – you may
have questions for your teacher!
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Don’t Be Shy!
Visit the Writing Center for help with all the
mechanics of writing your paper – including
citation formats and plagiarism avoidance!
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Room 335 of Kyser Hall – Monday thru Friday
8:00am to 4:30pm
Reference Room of Watson Library – Monday
thru Thursday 5:00pm to 9:00pm
July 15
21 July 2015
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Remember – Plagiarism Is A Choice, And
Can Have Lasting Consequences!
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Many colleges and universities use programs like
Turnitin (NSU uses this) which can easily catch
plagiarists
Colleges and universities may attach a warning to your
transcripts that you were expelled for plagiarizing
You may not get into another college
Your future employer will be aware you are a cheater
You may never learn how to do research properly
without stealing
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Ensure Your Academic Success
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Always cite your sources
Do your own work
Make use of the services available to you –
teaching faculty, reference librarians, writing
center, career counseling, etc
Remember – we are all here to help you
succeed!
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