What to do...

Mr Incognito

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2007
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I was writing an ethics paper (of all the subjects), and I was reading over it (I turned it in Friday), and I realized I forgot to cite a source, should I e-mail my professor and tell him what happened? I really want to explain myself but I feel like that would be odd that I didn't notice this until Monday kind of suspicion.

I don't want my academic integrity over something this boneheaded.

Thanks for anyones help...

 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
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Did you directly quote/copy something? If not, I wouldn't. Points will be taken off for an unsupported point either way, but just make sure you can't be accused of plagiarism.
 

HaxorNubcake

Golden Member
Jun 23, 2004
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Emailing him is probably wise if you truly believe that he might question your academic integrity
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
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Originally posted by: Mr Incognito
Yah, I think I myay have.

I'd do it then. You'll still lose points, but at least you won't have to worry about plagiarism accusations.
 

Mr Incognito

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2007
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Thanks, I wanted to make sure some elders who have been through the system. I will e-mail him immediately and explain the situation. I'll update just incase someone cares.
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
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Just email your professor and explain what happened. Why is it even a big deal?
 

Mr Incognito

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2007
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Originally posted by: TallBill
Just email your professor and explain what happened. Why is it even a big deal?

I have never been in question like this, and I really don't want to mess up my freshman year because of some stupid mistake. I am a week away from finishing this year with a 3.0 or higher.
 

sindows

Golden Member
Dec 11, 2005
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In my experience, professors don't actually check to make sure your sources are in the paper, they just check to make sure you know how to cite them...
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
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Originally posted by: Mr Incognito

I have never been in question like this, and I really don't want to mess up my freshman year because of some stupid mistake. I am a week away from finishing this year with a 3.0 or higher.

Ok, well handle the situation like an adult and hopefully you'll get treated like one. Most professors are understanding. I'd personally approach him one on one. Heck, I had blatent mess ups in college that I fixed by talking to a professor and explaining how big of a knucklehead I was.

And its far better then the prof accusing you of cheating.
 

KarmaPolice

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
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depends on the prof. If you know the guy and you like him go ahead and tell him. I would deff tell him if you copied directly from something..if its just a unsupported argument not so much.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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Most professors will respect you for correcting your own mistake before they catch it.

You might lose a couple of points on the paper, but you should gain them back as brownie points.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
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It's more respectful in an academic environment to admit your mistake and try to fix it. Whether or not that is the best option for your grade is another question.
 

sindows

Golden Member
Dec 11, 2005
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Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Most professors will respect you for correcting your own mistake before they catch it.

You might lose a couple of points on the paper, but you should gain them back as brownie points.

Too bad brownie points don't mean anything if a professor refuses to curve your final grade upwards :brokenheart:
 

KarmaPolice

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
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really just think of the consequences and odds..

situation 1: Doesnt notice

situation 2: Finds out and then you get in big trouble...saying you knew about it wont fix it.
 

Mr Incognito

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2007
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Originally posted by: MichaelD
Plagarizing on an Ethics paper? ROFL! :D That's Top 10 material, right there.

You don't need to tell me, I was nearly kicking myself.

He seems like a reasonable guy, if I lose some points I will gladly accept that over a 0 and failing the course. I figured this has happened before but on the syllabus they underline and bold the plagarism policy so it all seems serious so I was just a bit nervous about that, plus I'm a little paranoid about the whole situation. Eh, I'll take that over ruining my liver though (but that's another debate for another time)
 

gsethi

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2002
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Go and tell him. In my Discrete Math class, the professor gave me extra points (he totalled wrong). At the end of the class, I went up to him and told him that he gave me extra points. At first, he thought that he gave me less points and I again told him that he gave me extra points.

He checked the total and sure enough, he had given me extra points. But he did NOT took them off and told me that he is giving them to me officially b/c of my honesty (and he had never gone across a student who came to him to get his points deducted b/c he had given the student extra points by mistake). :)