If the university believes you have engaged in “plagiarism,” you could be looking for answers to the following questions:
- What constitutes academic plagiarism?
- What types of plagiarism are there?
- How can I contest and counter accusations of plagiarism?
According to the OIA, plagiarism occurs when a student presents “someone else’s work or ideas as the student’s own.” This can also refer to “self-plagiarism,” which is the practise of submitting a duplicate of prior work.
Universities should ensure that all students receive comprehensive training, not only to avoid any violations but also to ensure that students know whether certain actions may be considered plagiarism or not. It is crucial that overseas students receive thorough training because there may be regional differences in educational and academic standards.
The university should offer an explanation for why they think you plagiarised as well as documentation to support their suspicions. Before responding, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the claims made, the supporting documentation, as well as the internal policies and procedures of the university. The university may rely on any comments when deciding the outcome of your case. That is why it is crucial to make sure your response is concise and supported by facts.
