<p>Look, I don’t think this is as big a deal as you’re making it out to be, especially if the resources you cited are actually in the archives. Leave it alone and don’t do it again. Chances are, your professor set that requirement so you would benefit from the real live archival research experience rather than searching for things the modern way, online. You didn’t plagiarize, and that’s the real biggie. </p>
<p>If you went to your prof and admitted what you’d done to clear your conscience, I would imagine worst thing that happens is he might either fail you on the assignment or dock points or have you do it again, possibly for partial credit. Only way to know what’ll happen is to 'fess up.</p>
<p>Made up material that does not actually exist based on material which does exist?</p>
<p>That’s forgery and falsification of research material. I don’t know how much of this you did, or even if this is what you actually did, because your writing isn’t particularly clear, but if so, I would NOT ever do so again.</p>
<p>Wikipedia, for example, gives a very nice listing of sources that I think would be a very good place to start looking for sources. However, some professors say to not use Wikipedia that way. It’s sounds as though the OP may have done something like that.</p>
<p>There is something called common knowledge, and it does not require citing. Perhaps some of the background information used by the OP might fall into that category. I would carefully look at what I had done if I were the OP before I turned myself in. This seems like such a gray area.</p>
<p>This is coming from a CC faculty member who has turned in five plagiarism reports this semester.</p>
<p>Wow, MDmom…5 of them? My son is taking CC classes as a senior. I discuss plagiarism with him all of the time. I dont think all students do it intentionally, but have not been taught about it enough in HS. The number of research papers that HS students do now is embarrassing. </p>
<p>sadandsorry, I think you need to go to the prof as soon as possible and confess. This is obviously eating at you and the only way you will feel better is to get it out. Believe me, people do worse things in life and wahtever the punishment is, it will be better than living with the guilt. Good luck and let us know what happens!</p>
<p>MD mom- go back to the HS’s. as a parent, I am telling you that they are not teaching the kids enough about this. Some kids do it intentionaly, sure. It’s a short cut. But there are others that really do not understand how to avoid it because theyhave not been taught those skills. </p>
<p>Hopefully you are in a county in MD that has a good relationship with the schools and your DC can provide that feedback to them.</p>
<p>UPDATE- Please wish me good luck guys. I’m confessing today. I will write a small letter appologizing, explaining why I did it, how I not only violated my integrity, but also his trust, and want to ask for his generosity to give me a chance to take his other classes in hopes that I can restore his faith and trust in me.</p>
<p>You have all been very supportive, but I cannot justify leaving this alone. I haven’t told my parents, but they would tell me to do the same thing. For others in my situation, think about going to Uni, getting your degree, and having it revoked. </p>
<p>Update - My hands still tremble from the meeting. I confessed to everything I did wrong. The teacher was very understanding and explained to me that I had made the right choice in looking to the future implications my dishonesty had on my academic and personal life. He has forgiven me and just wants me to redo the paper. I get to keep the A in the class and no reference to the Dean. This presumably means no mark on the transcript. I took a leap of faith, and somehow has gotten a second chance. I will not waste this oppurtinity to learn from my mistake. Many have not been this lucky. </p>
<p>Thanks for your help and support for a very trying time for me.</p>
<p>sadandsorry, I am glad for you too. I am also glad the prof listened and was willing to work with you on this. Not all of them would be, but he probably appreciated the fact that you fessed up, and gave him the respect he deserved. </p>
<p>@sadandsorry. I wouldn’t be so harsh on yourself dude. What you did wasn’t morally reprehensible, and it’s really not that big of a deal. Give yourself a break. Forgive yourself. Honestly, you don’t need to feel this bad about that.</p>
<p>Sad and Sorry, Glad you got it off your chest. Your professor was very understanding and I think your honesty was the reason. Good lesson. Now relax and give yourself a break…</p>