I have chosen to include my completed Indiana University Plagiarism Certificate as evidence for my competency in the challenge area of “Recognize, respect, and comply with organizational constraints.” I earned the Plagiarism Certificate after successfully completing a challenging tutorial made available through Indiana University. The Certificate, created during the first days of the portfolio class, EDCI 60001 (Introduction to Verifying Professional Competencies in LDT), shows that I not only understand how and when to properly credit others for their work, whether in academia, the workplace, or elsewhere, but that I vow to do so, upholding standard organizational expectations and constraints.

Although the certificate specifically confirms my commitment to not plagiarize, the intent and spirit of the document shows my commitment to the greater idea of academic and professional integrity. Attaining this certificate was a requirement for my graduate program, which represents an organizational constraint I was more than willing to abide by and comply with. But more importantly, the certificate communicates a level of respect for the work and contributions of those adding to the body of knowledge from which I draw. In the book The Craft of Research, Booth et al. (2016) say, “When you cite sources, you honor them by acknowledging your intellectual debts” (p. 204). Part of earning the certificate included not just recognizing plagiarism in various forms, some much more difficult to recognize than others, but also how to recognize properly and improperly cited references. To truly honor others and their work, as Booth et al. described, we need to ensure we are properly citing and referring any ideas or words that are not our own. The plagiarism certificate embodies all those ideals in one document.

These ideas are not just applicable in the academic environment; rather they are applicable in multitudes of contexts, including the professional. Despite having years of instructional design and training experience (in the corporate setting), this was the first time I have been expected to make a concerted effort to affirm my knowledge regarding proper citations and references. Completing this certificate not only made me a more confident writer, but it strengthened my resolve in ensuring every citation is accurate and complete.

In the corporate environment, recognizing, respecting, and complying with organizational constraints is an understood expectation. However, I think more could be done to specifically recognize the importance of proper credit to others when referencing others’ ideas and words. Often, what one thinks is an adequate citation or reference is incomplete or incorrect. Not only does this dishonor the original owner of the thought/work, but it discredits the writer, potentially exposes the organization (whether a business or academic institution) to legal liability, and is almost certainly outside of the organization’s constraints. As I move forward in my academic and professional careers, this artifact and challenge have made clear to me how important this topic is and how I must be personally diligent in my actions, as the certificate confirms I am able and committed to do.

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., Bizup, J., & FitzGerald, W. T. (2016). The craft of research (4th edition). The University of Chicago Press.