Academic Integrity and You
Code of Academic Integrity
The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council, which sets the standards for academic integrity for all members of this academic community: www.studentconduct.umd.edu
Honor Pledge
I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination.
Why do we cite or acknowledge the work of others in our research?
Acknowledging or citing other people’s words and ideas indicates that you have conducted thorough background research on your topic and therefore are operating from an informed perspective.
Acknowledging or citing other people’s words and ideas increases your credibility. Other people’s ideas can be utilized in your own work to reinforce your arguments, or can serve as points to argue against in your own work.
Ideas are intellectual property and there are serious repercussions if you fail to follow citing conventions. In the professional world, failure to cite other people’s intellectual property ruins careers and reputations and can result in legal action.
Important definitions
- Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing or plagiarizing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise (e.g., term paper, lab report, test, quiz, examination).
- Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
- Fabrication: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
- Facilitation: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help or facilitate another to violate any provision of the Code of Academic Integrity.
What are the penalties?
Failure to cite the work of others in the papers you write may result as follows:
- Undergraduate Students: XF is placed on your permanent University record
- Graduate and Ph.D. Students: Dismissal from the University
Where can I get help with research?
University of Maryland Librarians offer general and subject-specific research assistance. Ask for help!
Call: 301-405-9075 McKeldin Library’s Information/Reference Desk
Visit: umd.libanswers.com
Contact a librarian: www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/specialists-subject
Where can I get help with citing?
Get an overview of citation systems at:
www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/citing-styles
MLA (Modern Languages Association) Handbook:
www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/citing-mla
APA (American Psychological Association) Handbook:
www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/citing-apa
Chicago/Turabian Notes Style:
www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/citing-chicago-notes
Chicago/Turabian Author-Date Style:
www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/citing-chicago-ad
Where can I get help with writing?
The Writing Center offers one-on-one consultation for all stages of the composition process, as well as provides workshops and handouts.
- Make an appointment: 301-405-3785 or www.english.umd.edu/academics/writingcenter
- Send an email: writadmin@umd.edu
- Contact the Grammar Hotline: 301-405-3785
- Drop by the Writing Center: 1205 Tawes Hall
- See writing tutors at McKeldin Library: Call 301-405-3785 to learn when tutors are available at McKeldin Libraries’ Information/Reference Desk (1st floor)
