Using information ethically

 Appropriately use information to fulfill the identified
need
USING INFORMATION
Erin L. Nagel
Clayton State University Library

Information ethics
 Intellectual property- Anything created by a person’s
mind, including artwork, music, invention, ideas, literature, etc.
 Copyright- Regulates the sale and reproduction of intellectual
property. Automatic!
 Plagiarism- Using another’s intellectual property without
acknowledgement
 Public domain- A work that is no longer under copyright
protection
 Fair use- Freedom to reproduce and distribute copyrighted
intellectual property for educational or research purposes.
 Academic integrity- Moral and ethical code of academia.
Avoid cheating in all of its forms, maintain classroom
standards, and maintain honesty and rigor in scholarly
communication.

Is it ok to…
…use the ideas of another author
without providing a reference, even if
you write them in your own words?
Adapted from: “Is it Plagiarism?” https://ilrb.cf.ac.uk/plagiarism/quiz/index.html Created by Cardiff University Information Services.

Is it ok to…
Even if you do not directly copy the author's words you must
provide a reference when you talk about their ideas.

Is it ok to…
…submit all or part of one essay for
two separate assignments?

Is it ok to…
…submit all or part of one essay for
two separate assignments?
Although this may surprise you, self-plagiarism is a form
of plagiarism and is not permitted.

Is it ok to…
…include a fact or saying in your
assignment which is generally known
without providing a reference?

Is it ok to…
…include a fact or saying in your
assignment which is generally known
without providing a reference?
If a fact is generally well known or 'common knowledge' then
you don't need to reference it. Bear in mind that what you
consider to be common knowledge may not be well known to
others, if in doubt provide a reference

Is it ok to…
…incorporate text from another
source, changing one or two words and
providing a citation?

Is it ok to…
…incorporate text from another
source, changing one or two words and
providing a citation?
If you do not intend to quote directly from the
source, you must write about it in your own words.
Using too many words from the original source is
plagiarism, even if you provide a reference.

Is it ok to…
Even if you do not directly copy the author's words you
must provide a reference when you talk about their
ideas.

Is it ok to…
…copy a diagram or data table from a
web site, providing a reference for the
source underneath?

Is it ok to…
…copy a diagram or data table from a
web site, providing a reference for the
source underneath?
You can include a table, diagram or image from another
source as long as you provide a reference.

Why is this important?
 Plagiarism is dishonest
Honesty is the first
chapter in the Book
of wisdom. Let it be
our endeavor to
merit the character

 Plagiarism is cheating
By Author's modification of original by Rob Qld on Flickr. [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia
Commons; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Acinonyx_jubatus_walking_edit.jpg

 Plagiarism is theft

CSU Student Code of Conduct
Plagiarism and Misrepresentation of Work
No student will represent the work of others as his
or her own. Themes, essays, term
papers, tests, presentations and other similar
assignments must be the work of the student
submitting them. When direct quotations are
used, they must be indicated and when the ideas
of another are incorporated, they must be
appropriately cited.
1. No student will submit the same assignment for
two courses without the prior consent of theFrom CSU Student Code of Conduct 2012-13; “Conduct Regulations
I-E” p.2

Avoid plagiarism
Take good notes
Quote, paraphrase, summari
ze
Cite!

Note-taking
 Use different color pens and highlighters to mark your
ideas and those of your sources
 Use symbols or abbreviations to indicate direct quotes
 Clearly label your sources in your notes.
Because libraries provide access to
copyrighted information and materials
they are affected by laws that govern the
sharing of these resources.
S1: Q- Libraries should stay informed
about copyright law and be mindful of
the risks associated with providing access

Quote Paraphrase Summarize
Exact wording of original Rephrase original text in
your own words. More
than rearranging words
or replacing synonyms
Condense large amount
of original text into
shorter passage
Enclose text in quotation
marks
Read original, look away,
and rewrite
Read original, look away,
and condense
Indicate if you add your
own words to provide
context but DO NOT
change meaning
Do not change meaning. Do not change meaning.
Include citation and note
page number
Include citation and text
reference to author, i.e.,
“According to Nagel,….”
Include citation and text
reference to author, i.e.,
“According to Nagel,….”

Cite your sources!
Why?
Citations refer readers to your original source(s)
Provide evidence for your conclusions
Prove you aren’t plagiarizing!
When?
Cite any ideas not your own
When in doubt, CITE!
How?
Use citation managers to organize your sources
Follow formats in appropriate style guides

Using information ethically

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