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Introduction
The nature
of academic communication is very similar to the applied study of
an instrument. As a performance major, you have studied your instrument
under a variety of musicians. You have been influenced by their creative
approaches to interpretation, technique and performance. You have
also drawn creative ideas from master classes and performances (live
or recorded). Your individual style is not only a synthesis of these
voices but also includes your unique interpretation as you respond
to these ideas. When you perform, you do not acknowledge these influences
by interrupting your piece with citations. However, on your resume
and in personal interviews you are likely to give credit to these
influences.
Academic
writing also involves a synthesis of ideas. If you are writing about
a particular topic it is important to ask the following questions:
What has already been said about this topic? Who are the experts
in this area? How do their perspectives relate to one another? It
is just as important as you reflect on these perspectives to develop
your own "voice" or creative interpretation and ideas about the
topic. Writing provides the opportunity to give credit to the source(s)
of the ideas you discuss in your papers. Plagiarism results from
not giving credit to these sources and/or presenting their ideas
as your own. The goal of this document is to help you avoid plagiarism
by understanding proper citation techniques and the value of honest
communication in the academic world.
What is Plagiarism?
- The
CWRU Undergraduate Instructors Manual defines plagiarism as follows:
-
Plagiarism is defined as the submission of work done by another
with the intent that it be viewed and evaluated as one's own.
Thus copying on an examination, turning in a term paper or homework
assignment done by someone else, intentionally using or presenting
false data, and making extensive use of sources without acknowledging
them are all interpreted as acts of plagiarism. It is the responsibility
of each student to become aware of the standard of documentation
expected from their school or college.
-
- All
of the following practices fall under the definition of plagiarism:
- Quoting
phrases/sentences/paragraphs from a source in your paper without
using quotes and providing a citation.
- Paraphrasing
an idea from a source without a citation
- Using
statistics or facts from a source (outside the realm of common
knowledge) without a citation.
CIM Policies
Academic Honesty (Statement from the Office of Dean)
Academic
honesty is at the core of education at CIM. All students are expected
to be honest in their academic and practical work in the Institute
and in all work through the Joint Program at CWRU. Any work submitted
by a student must represent his or her own efforts. Any student
suspected of cheating, plagiarism, or any other acts of academic
dishonesty would be subject to disciplinary action.
If
a faculty member suspects that a CIM student is guilty of academic
dishonesty they will consult with the Dean of the Conservatory
about the basis for those suspicions and appropriate disciplinary
action. If the infraction is a first offense, the Dean and faculty
member may agree to leave the action to the faculty member. A
confidential record of the event and action shall be put in the
student's file. If the infraction is deemed to be more serious
or a second offense, the student may be placed on academic probation
with all penalties detailed in the CIM catalog. Any infractions
of sufficient seriousness or that demonstrate a pattern of academic
dishonesty may result in separation from CIM.
When
in doubt about plagiarism, students should consult with individual
faculty members. Instructors will be happy to explain their expectations
for ethical academic conduct.
Internet Resources
STUDENTS:
The following resources provide practical tips and examples of how
to properly cite sources and avoid plagiarism:
FACULTY: The following resources demonstrate how to structure instruction
in a way that discourages plagiarism. These resources also describe
how to detect plagiarism.
Bonnie Houser, CIM Library, 4/10/02
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