Research Papers and Plagiarism

Grammar and paper resources (refer to this page if you encounter cryptic abbreviations in the margins of your papers)

A significant number of PLU student papers show problems in documentation or achieving "engaged independence" in handling scholarly materials. Engaged independence is my own term for the goal of a good biblical studies paper. The paper writer is expected to establish an independent argument (individual academic opinion, based on persuasive evidence and warrants), engage the ideas of the research materials, and use them in an independent way (quoting, paraphrasing, citing accurately and correctly without subservience).

There are now many universities with on-line information regarding plagiarism or plagiaristic use of sources. For instance, see

Pacific Lutheran University, Academic Integrity Policy or Citation Style Guides

Duke University, Center for Academic Integrity Links

Hamilton College, Nesbitt-Johnson Writing Center

Bruce Leland's Plagiarism and the Web is also a valuable resource.

Thought and ideas are basic "currencies" of the university. When these are debased or not independently engaged by faculty and students, the integrity of higher education is compromised. Paper assignments are intended to require hard work and thought, not thoughtless evasion or easy completion. Learn to craft a research paper correctly, and you will be able to master most other things in life!

Maintained by Douglas E. Oakman

Last modified: 10/31/06