Note from the Vice President for Research
In our fast-paced world, where technology advances rapidly, and we can access information at the click of a mouse, research integrity and plagiarism have become more complex. It is important for all of us to redefine the boundaries between honest mistakes, negligence, and deliberate misconduct.
Science and research are social institutions where even non-scientists are interested in assessing the validity of our claims. Everyone involved is accountable to a broader society that benefits from our work. As you learn the norms of your disciplinary field, it is critical that you also learn the ethical standards inherent in these disciplines. Communication is a key part of this process. Ask questions and question the answers.
WSU Policy and Standards on Plagiarism
WSU defines plagiarism as “presenting the information, ideas, or phrasing of another person as the student’s own work without proper acknowledgement of the source.” The full definition of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty may be found at www.conduct.wsu.edu. WSU prohibits plagiarism and considers it a form of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is a violation of WAC 504-26-202, Acts of Dishonesty.
Research Misconduct
Research misconduct
is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism
in proposing, performing, or reviewing
research, or in reporting research results.
Resources
Graduate students often need help with making their
work accessible to others, organizing research,
reviewing forms unique
to them as graduate students (such as thesis,
dissertation, research proposal, graduate admissions
essay), paraphrasing and quoting appropriately, and
checking citations. WSU provides several ways to
improve writing skills and prevent plagiarism:
Student Advising and Learning Center