reference避免抄袭

What is a Reference in British academic papers? How can one avoid plagiarism in their research paper?

 

A Reference is a list of sources cited in an academic paper, including books, journals, research reports, online articles, and other relevant materials. It is similar to the bibliography found at the end of books, where a long list of references is provided, including author names, publication dates, titles, page numbers, and other relevant information.

 

The purpose of including references is to acknowledge the sources of information and ideas that have been used in the research paper and to allow readers to locate and verify those sources.

 

To avoid plagiarism in a research paper, it is important to properly cite and reference all the sources used. This means providing accurate and complete information for each source in the reference list, following the specific citation style guidelines required by the academic institution or publication. Additionally, when using information or ideas from a source, it is important to properly paraphrase or quote and provide in-text citations to give credit to the original author. By doing so, one can ensure that their research paper is properly attributed and avoids any issues of plagiarism.

 

Unfortunately, you mentioned a reference in the form of a picture, but I am unable to view or interpret images. If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, please let me know.

Reference is used in writing research papers to support one's own viewpoints with other papers, books, journals, news articles, and similar content. For example, if you write 'The Earth is round,' you can't simply state that without a reference. You need to provide a reference like 'Magellan's circumnavigation proved that the Earth is round (Magellan, 1400).' Because you can't make a claim about the Earth being round without some basis. In other words, regardless of your viewpoint, you need to have previous research to support your arguments.

Alternatively, if there is a passage in a book that says, 'Today is a beautiful day. I saw a cute rabbit hopping and searching for carrots in the sunlight. Its white ears were fluffy and delightful.' You can't directly quote this sentence in your research paper as it would be considered plagiarism. Generally, UK universities require a plagiarism rate of less than 30%, although it may vary depending on the institution or field of study. You need to follow the guidelines set by your school or instructor.

References should have the following characteristics:

1. They should be relevant to your paper and exist for the purpose      of supporting your arguments.

2. They should be genuine and based on scientific evidence, not      random online content or blog entries.

3. They should include author names, titles, sources, publication      years, and other necessary information.

Currently, there are several citation styles for references:

1. Harvard style

2. MLA

3. APA

4. Chicago

5. OSCOLA

Among these, Harvard style is the most commonly used in UK universities, followed by MLA. However, many UK universities require students to use their own specified reference style, and certain professors may have their own requirements for references. Therefore, it is advisable to ask your instructor about the reference format before starting your academic journey. Normally, your university's student website should provide this information, or the instructor may introduce it during the first assignment or the orientation week.

For example, my university, Coventry University in the UK, requires the use of CU Harvard Reference. However, in some specific fields such as accounting, professors may have their own reference requirements. Therefore, the specific format of references should follow your institution's guidelines. If a professor specifies a particular reference style for a subject, it is important to follow their instructions, as they will ultimately determine your grades.

When dealing with a large number of references, manually copying, pasting, and formatting each one can be time-consuming and cumbersome. In such cases, I recommend using refworks.com. This website is convenient for organizing and managing all your references, especially when dealing with a large number of them. If your university has an account with Coventry University, it can be used for free. Alternatively, you can use Google Scholar, which allows you to generate references in various formats with a single click.

Below is an example of a screenshot from Coventry University's online library, which shows the reference format. Online libraries are highly convenient as they not only generate reference formats but also allow you to access books from home without visiting the physical library. However, please note that the availability of online books may vary.

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As shown in the figure, most UK universities prefer to use the Harvard style. Based on the information found on the website, the reference format to be included at the end of the paper consists of the author's name, year, title, publisher, source link, and access date：

Some schools have their own requirements for references. For example, Coventry University has a slight difference in its CU Harvard style. Here is how it should be formatted according to Coventry University:

 

Seward, D. (2014) Race Car Design. [online] Palgrave Macmillan. Available from: <http://www.myilibrary.com?ID=823938 ↗> [3 November 2015]

 

Do you notice the difference? Apart from the parentheses, the surname of the author should be written in full and placed before the first name. Regardless of the author's full name, only the first uppercase letter should be used, followed by a period. So, instead of "Seward, Derek (2014)," Coventry University's format is "Seward, D. (2014)."

 

Below is a screenshot of the reference table for Coventry University. Another difference in Coventry University's reference style is the in-text citation. While the Harvard style uses "(Seward, 2014, p.30)," Coventry University's format is "(Seward 2014:30)."

 

Here is a screenshot of the official reference format from Coventry University:

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"More information about the Harvard Reference format can be found by logging in to the link provided."

：https://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm

"More information about APA citation format, as well as detailed tutorials on how to use RefWorks, Google Scholar, and others, can be found by logging in to the link provided."

：https://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/referencing.htm

What is plagiarism in a research paper?

1. Copying and pasting a large portion of someone else's original      sentence or short phrase without using double quotation marks and citing      the author's year, or if the entire paper contains too many original      sentences from someone else, including your own previously submitted      papers. Any submitted work that is found will be considered plagiarism,      even if it is your own.

2. When stating an opinion in the paper, there is no corresponding      reference provided as supporting evidence.

3. Only making minor changes to a few words within someone else's      original sentence.

4. Paraphrasing or reorganizing someone else's viewpoint without      indicating the source.

5. ...

When writing a research paper, it's important to immediately include references whenever using information from a specific source. If there are page numbers available, include them as well. Since research papers can range from 1,500 to 15,000 words, the required number of references varies from a few to a dozen or more. It's easy to forget or confuse them, so it's crucial to be attentive.

Now, let's talk about plagiarism checks. In most British universities, Turnitin is commonly used, and it is usually provided to students for free. Make sure to check how many free checks your school offers and make the most of this opportunity. It's best to check for plagiarism after you have finished writing or simultaneously submit multiple papers for checking. Personally, I used this approach at my school. Since each paper was given one free check, I combined two papers for the first check, made some modifications, and then ran the second check. The similarity score is usually calculated as a percentage based on the word count, and it should not exceed 25%-30%. Some professors require the similarity to be below 20%. It primarily depends on your school or instructor's requirements.

Now, how can you avoid being flagged for plagiarism by Turnitin? First and foremost, avoid copying and pasting content from the internet or books, or simply changing a few words within a paragraph. However, there is a caveat. Even if you have diligently written an original piece, it may still be flagged as similar to a paper written by another student. This is normal since everyone is writing on the same topic, and there are only a few phrases that can be used. If someone else thought of it first and used it, then it becomes their original content.

What are the consequences of plagiarism in British universities?

1. Expulsion from the institution and possible deportation for      serious cases.

2. Inability to obtain a degree certificate and academic      credentials.

3. Nullification of all previous academic achievements.

4. Being included in an academic blacklist.

So, how can you avoid plagiarism in your research paper? Rewrite and summarize the information in your own words. Even when restating your own viewpoint, make sure to rewrite it. Avoid directly quoting someone else's words unless you have exceptional writing skills in terms of style, grammar, and logic, as a 3,000-word paper can only include a single quotation.

Regarding references, remember to arrange them in alphabetical order (A, B, C...) based on the authors' surnames. Book titles should be italicized. You can refer to the detailed instructions provided by your school or download their reference guidelines. Leave a blank line between each reference. If you are citing a website, include the URL and the date you accessed it.

What should you do if you are suspected of plagiarizing a paper?
The UK has a zero-tolerance policy towards academic plagiarism. If your paper is suspected of plagiarism, the school will first send you an email explaining the situation:

1. In some cases, the school will give you an opportunity to      explain yourself. You should calmly and firmly state that you did not      plagiarize and provide a clear explanation. If you can convince them, the      school may give you a chance to rewrite the paper. This is the most common      resolution chosen by most universities.

2. In other cases, the school may communicate with you after      sending the initial email and upon further investigation, they may      discover that it was a system error. In that case, they will clear you of      any suspicion.

3. Alternatively, the school may require you to participate in a      disciplinary hearing where you will face several teachers. They will ask      you questions related to your paper's content, references, and other      aspects. They might try to lead you into admitting plagiarism by creating      a tense, intimidating environment. Therefore, it's crucial to remain calm,      composed, and confidently assert that you did not plagiarize, even if they      try to pressure you with potential consequences.