Geographic Information Science is a field that requires basic computer literacy.  The goal of these pages is to help students who are interested in GIS to be certain that they have mastered skills that are necessary to their success in future GIS courses and beyond. One of the criteria for enrollment in GIS courses at the University of West Florida is viewing this material and providing evidence that you possess these minimum competencies through a written exam. This is a page in the Basic Computer Skills series. Here you will learn the following concepts:

How to honor copyright laws and avoid plagiarism

Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It

UWF Library's "Using Sources Ethically"

Typically, plagiarism is thought of in terms of writing papers. It can also occur with data. This is why data source information is added to maps that you make. Any data you did not personally go out and hand collect should be credited.

Image showing various means of plagiarism

Plagiarism.Org's Student Resources

Respectful Use of Equipment and Internet

In many cases, ethics comes down to respect. Do your actions show respect for yourself and others?

To respect yourself:

  • Don't give out your password
  • Don't let other people copy your work or provide them with answers
  • Don't say or do anything that could damage your reputation
  • Protect your identity, this includes your UWF ID number.
  • Log out of UWF websites and applications when you are done.

To respect others:

  • Don't harass or threaten anyone using a computer
  • Don't abuse your access to UWF resources
  • Remember that your student email identifies you as a student of UWF, whatever you send from that email reflects back on the university.
  • Give credit where credit is due by citing your sources.

Adapted from BGSU Computer Ethics



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