When you create a science fair project, write an essay or report, it is important that you give credit to all the sources of your research. Scientists, writers, researchers, inventors and even artists put a lot of effort into the work they do. When you are working on a project it is helpful to have such great information to learn from and share. It only takes a few moments to record the sources of these shared materials. Presenting them in your project is the right thing to do.

When someone takes the material of someone else and claims it to be their own it could cause a lot of trouble. Sometimes it is an honest mistake and the person just didn't know the rules. Usually when a mistake is made it is easy to fix. It is never too late to do the right thing and add a bibliography to a project. Sometimes it is not a mistake and done on purpose. This is serious and against the law!

Suppose you had worked very hard on a project or story at school. You knew you had done a good job and couldn't wait for the "A" you knew you deserved. Your teacher has your essay and you know you'll make a great impression. When your teacher asks you to stay after school you think, "Wow, I must have really done well, the teacher wants me to stay so she can tell me I've done a fine job!"

You feel so proud as you approach the teacher after school. But wait! The teacher is not smiling, in fact she looks kind of angry, what's going on? The teacher tells you that your work is the exact copy of another student. She is very angry that rather than put in your own effort you took the work of another. How would you feel? What would you do?

This sort of thing does happen, and not just in school where students are still learning the rules involved in creating their own work, and the rules of giving credit to others. In fact this has happened to me! Remember when I shared my trip to the volcano? It was brought to my attention that another writer actually took this story, word for word, and presented it as her own.

When confronted and asked to do the right thing, this person refused! She was not a young person writing a report for school, or someone who had never learned the rules. She was an adult who had worked in journalism for many years, who claimed to have a university degree. She did know better! When we looked into the problem we found a few more disturbing facts. This was not the first time this person had claimed credit for the work of another. My husband Robert is the guide for The Island of Hawaii, here at the Mining Company. She had also stolen two of his stories, Welcome to the Island of Hawaii, and Surf, Sun and Safety in Hawaii.

She was asked to do the right thing almost two months ago. We are still waiting. This has made me feel quite sad. I enjoy sharing my experiences with you and I work very hard in doing so. I don't mind if you share my experiences in your report or project. This is why I try to provide great science resources. They will help you learn about science and become interested in all it has to offer. Maybe one day you'll become a writer or a scientist because of what we have shared. This would make me very proud. I know you aren't the type of person who would steal from another. You are like most people, honest and hard working.

Resources

How to Cite Resources - How to cite sources in your bibliography.

Citing Internet Sources - Giving credit for information you use from the Internet.

A Brief Intro to Copywrite - There are laws to protect original works.

Research - Researching your project and giving credit where it is due.

International Web Police - Protecting the Internet community.

Previous Features