4. Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is the copying of a copyrighted work without acknowledgement, and is against academic rules and ethics.
Plagiarism is also illegal and offenders may be fined or imprisoned.

At APU, plagiarism, improper citations, and fabrication of data are considered forms of academic misconduct or cheating. Cases of plagiarism will be handled in the same manner as cheating on examinations is handled. Students found to have plagiarized materials will be disciplined severely.

● Consequences of Cheating
Students found to be cheating may be punished in several ways, including the following:

• Receive an F grade for the course
• Punishment pursuant to the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Regulations on Punitive Measures for Students

“Reports, etc.” refer to any reports and other items for assessment created by students to be submitted or presented within APU. This includes reports, answer sheets, presentation materials, resumes, and all other media resources.

“Copyrighted Work” refers to all works as defined by the Japanese copyright law. This includes written/verbal works such as dissertations and lectures, and also includes broadcasts, music, performances, works of art, architecture, maps, technical drawings, models, movies, photographs, programs, etc. Online documents, data, and images are also considered copyrighted works.

“Quotation” is the act of using the contents of an existing copyrighted work for your own use in line with the rules below. Although there are a number of ways to use quotations in reports, papers, etc., students may use the method taught in class or as directed by individual instructors.

• An individual’s work must form the main part of a work with quotes only used to supplement the main work.
• A quote must be considered necessary.
• The source must be clearly shown.
• The parameters of the quote must be clear.
• There must be no changes to the content of the quote.