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Criminal Justice

A guide to assist Washburn University criminal justice students and faculty with their library research.

WU Academic Impropriety Policy

WU's Academic Impropriety Policy as taken from the Faculty Handbook contains more than plagiarism expectations.

Citing

Sources to help with preparing citations.  For most of your criminal justice research assignments you will use the APA style [Publications Manual of the American Psychology Association].  However, for other disciplines you may be asked to use MLA style, etc.  Several styles are provided below.

Quick Comments

Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work (Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 2nd ed.).

When doing research, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the expertise and authority of sources.  Many students accidentally plagiarize because they cannot find a way to get their points of view into the essay they are trying to write.  The links to the right are intended to inform you about, and help you to follow standard practices.

Penalties for plagiarism may vary but you can expect two things for certain: 1)  All instructors will have them, and 2) They will be severe.  Know what each instructor expects of you as a student writer.  Stay away from trouble.  Don't plagiarize!  And don't forget:

Ichabods Have Integrity

Hints to Citing

Keep accurate track of notes!  Link notes correctly every time! Want to make your instructor unhappy?  Leading an instructor on a chase with an inaccurate citation note will do it every time.  Want to impress the instructor?  Cite neatly and accurately every time!

The sources to the right will help you with formatting notes. Use the proper form correctly and be consistent.  Librarians can help if you have a question on citations.