Miss Information says, “Google your essay topic! Cut and paste some text from the results pages and you’re on you’re way to rolling off another essay from the printer. Easy!”
“Why bother doing anything more? Really, you don’t have the time do you? Nobody’s going to find you out. Isn’t copying the sincerest form of flattery anyway?”
“The websites you’ll find will be so great too! In fact, my really opinionated right wing activist third cousin twice removed has a really good site on political tolerance. There’s so much quality stuff out there – written by balanced experts just like him - and its so easy to find! So – go on, go on , go on.
“Why waste you’re time doing anything else? What IS the point?” Trust me – I’m Miss Information.
Photo by Mrs. Maze www.flickr.com
Miss Dewey says, ”If you want to be hauled up for plagiarism – go ahead! And what’s a few marks lost for using unreliable sources? Fair enough, Miss Information’s third cousin twice removed is published on the web – but that doesn’t make him an authorative or reliable source.
You evaluate things all the time – like people. You weigh up whether they are telling the truth or whether you can rely on them. You ask yourself whether other people back-up what they say. And what about food? You weigh up whether it looks safe to eat. You question where the ingredients might have come from – a salmonella free fridge or the sole of the chef’s shoe?
If you’re using a website, do the same. Ask questions. Who wrote it? Are they reliable and authoritative? Where did they get their information from? Are those sources reliable? Why has it been published and who is backing the publication? For example, should you believe findings on a new drug published on the drug company’s website from research funded by the company? Mmmh. A vested interest there perhaps?
If you Google for your course work - always evaluate what you find. Get some tips from the Internet Detective or the Virtual Training Suite. Oh, and stealing ideas is not good – even if you are in a hurry. If you use other people’s work - attribute it. Get some tips on this by watching a video or two.
Think about your academic integrity! Where would you be without it? Trust me – I’m Miss Dewey.
Miss Information &
Miss Dewey
Posted by Marion Kennedy 
