Biblical Studies Research

Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another person's (usually a writer's or speaker's) words or ideas, in such a way that they are taken to be the borrower's own.

As such, plagiarism constitutes both an act of theft (stealing another person's cognitive labors) and an act of deception (falsely claiming as one's own, material rightfully attributable to someone else).

As a relentless pursuit of truth, the academic enterprise is grounded in the trustworthiness of all scholars engaged in research and writing.

Plagiarism erodes that trust by undermining confidence in a writer's academic honesty and truthfulness.

Plagiarism (where proven) thus reflects badly on one's character and can end an academic career before it has begun.

For the sake of your academic reputation therefore, it is very important that you remain cognisant of your intellectual debts and always acknowledge your sources.

The resources under this tab will review strategies for referencing and acquaint you with the principal style guide for Biblical and Theological Scholarship: the SBL Handbook of Style.