Navigating Plagiarism: Best Practices for Academic Integrity

Published on June 10, 2025 by Prof. Adaeze Kalu

Plagiarism, the act of using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution, is a serious academic offense with severe consequences. Maintaining academic integrity is paramount.

Best Practices to Avoid Plagiarism:

  • Always cite your sources, even when paraphrasing or summarizing.
  • Use quotation marks for direct quotes and cite them.
  • Understand different citation styles (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago).
  • Use plagiarism detection tools (like Turnitin).
  • Develop strong paraphrasing and summarizing skills.
  • Keep meticulous notes during your research process.

When in doubt, always over-cite rather than under-cite. Originality and proper attribution reflect your ethical commitment to scholarship.

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