Introduction to Library Research

This page will provide you with information to help you understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid plagiarizing. The following topics will be covered: 

• What is plagiarism?
  • Great Falls College MSU Academic Honesty Policy
• How to avoid plagiarism
  • Great Falls College Writing Tutor Information
• Self-check quiz

Merriam-Webster defines plagiarism as "to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one's own: to use another's production without crediting the source." 

Plagiarism includes (but is not limited to):

• Turning in work that is not your own
• Copying words or ideas without giving credit (citing the source)
• Not using quotation marks with direct quotes
• Changing a couple of words in a sentence and trying to pass it off as your own ideas
• Copying a large potion of the words and ideas from a source, so much so that it makes up a majority of your work
• Not including proper citations, both in-text and on your reference page 

Great Falls College Academic Honesty Policy

Great Falls College's academic honesty policy reads: 

"The integrity of the academic process requires credit be given where credit is due. Accordingly, it is academic misconduct to present the ideas or works of another as one's own work, or to permit another to present one's work without customary and proper acknowledgment of authorship. Students may collaborate with other students only as expressly permitted by the instructor. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, the appropriate citation of sources and the respect and recognition of others' academic endeavors." [Student Conduct, 300.14 Academic Honesty, p.3]. 

 As a student enrolled at Great Falls College you agree to follow student code of conduct and other posted policies. 

You can avoid plagiarism by:

• Citing your sources properly, both in-text and on your references page
• Expanding your own thoughts and ideas related to the evidence that you have cited - Don't just paraphrase or summarize someone else's ideas
• Asking for help when you are unsure about citing a source

Academic Success Center Writing Tutors

The Great Falls College offers free tutoring in a range of subjects, including writing, to all Great Falls College students. You can schedule an appointment on the Academic Success Center website, and appointments can be in-person or virtual. 

Online Writing Submissions

The Academic Success Center also offers the opportunity to submit your written work online for review and feedback from tutors. 

• Online Writing Submission Form

Tutors can provide feedback on the following:

• citations; understanding the assignment; brainstorming; outlining; conducting research (see the library, too!); introduction and conclusion paragraphs; main idea and thesis development; organization; content development; focus of paragraphs; transitions

Academic Success Center Hours

Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 12:00 pm. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: 1:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. in Weaver Library

Check the Academic Success Center website for any changes or updates to operating hours