Writing a glossary for my thesis. Is it plagarism to use definitions given by Microsoft?

[iamwiz82]

See topic.

 

[3chordcharlie]

If you use it, give credit.

 

[Chronoshock]

Just denote the source in the footnotes. Its better to be safe and source unnecessarily than to have your degree revoked and your ass handed to you for accidental plagiarism/paraphrasing

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Just denote the source in the footnotes. Its better to be safe and source unnecessarily than to have your degree revoked and your ass handed to you for accidental plagiarism/paraphrasing

Didn't even think of a footnote. :light:

 

[iamwiz82]

Footnotes are not allowed. Should I just cite it as a normal reference in-text?

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Footnotes are not allowed. Should I just cite it as a normal reference in-text?

Cite it. I believe you have to cite a dictionary if you use a definition from it in your paper.

edit: From my Hodge's Harbrace Handbook:

14. Reference Book

...

When citing a specific dictionary definition for a word, use the abbreviation Def. (for "Definition"), and indicate which one you used.

"Reactive." Def. 2a. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 10th ed. 2001.



Hope that helps. I know it is coming from MS and not a dictionary, so I'm not sure if you would use that arrangement or not.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Just denote the source in the footnotes. Its better to be safe and source unnecessarily than to have your degree revoked and your ass handed to you for accidental plagiarism/paraphrasing

Didn't even think of a footnote. :light:

How can you not paraphrase the meaning of a word. Source code can only have so many definitions, so they are bound to be very similar.