The Bedford Researcher- Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Bedford Researcher provides detailed tips on how to avoid plagiarism. The text discusses the differences between intentional and unintentional plagiarism. For example you unintentionally commit plagiarism if you forget to put quotations around a direct quotation in your paper, if you include a paraphrase that is worded almost exactly the same as an original quote, you default on clearly differentiating your ideas from the ideas of others, or you do not list a referred source in your “works cited" list. Intentionally committing plagiarism would be to purposely copy a passage from a source, copy an entire document and passing it off as a work of your own, or creating a fake citation to mislead your readers. TBR discusses research ethic which, according to the book, means keeping an “honest exchange of information, ideas, and arguments among writers and reader who share an interest in an issue.” The book also discusses the use of common knowledge within your paper. Common knowledge is information that is widely known, and therefore does not need a citation. Including common knowledge in your project is not considered plagiarism. The most important section of this chapter is on how to avoid plagiarism all together. The book stresses the importance of taking good notes In order to keep your ideas separate from those you found in a source. Conducting a knowledge inventory about your topic will help you to ensure you have a clear understanding of your issue. To do this, first ask yourself what  you already know about the issue. Next ask yourself what you do not know. Finally, ask yourself what you want to know. By carefully taking notes, and ensuring you have a good grip of knowledge on your topic, your chances of accidentally committing plagiarism will be much less.