Leeds University Library

Plagiarism and academic integrity


Academic integrity tutorial (opens in a new window)

We recommend that you complete the tutorial above; it will take around 60 minutes. The sections below include activities adapted from the tutorial, as well as further sources of information.

Pencil in the shape of a question mark

Understanding plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as "Presenting someone else's work, in whole or in part, as your own. Work means any intellectual output, and typically includes text, data, images, sound or performance" (University of Leeds 2012)

To avoid plagiarising, you need to have a full understanding of what plagiarism is.

Note taking, paraphrasing and summarising

Unintentional plagiarism often occurs as a result of poor note taking and paraphrasing.

Use these resources to improve your note taking practice and learn how your notes can help you to paraphrase effectively.

References and citations

Knowing when and how to reference is key to avoiding plagiarism.

Working with others: collaboration not collusion

Collaborating with other students to enhance your learning is encouraged at the University of Leeds but you must understand the boundaries between collaboration and collusion.

Working with others: collaboration or collusion
A guide to studying together at the University of Leeds

Detection, penalties and procedures

Turnitin

Turnitin is a tool that can help your tutors to detect where plagiarism may have occurred.

Penalties and procedures

Not only must you ensure that you acknowledge appropriately the work of others, thereby avoiding plagiarism, you should also be aware of copyright. Although you can use copyright material in your academic work for assessment purposes (providing it is correctly referenced), if you then intend to use it for any purpose other than assessment, you must get permission from the copyright owners.