"If you don't tell whose work it is, you are pretending the work is your own. This pretending is called 'plagiarism,' and it is just like cheating. It's not fair. It's not nice. It isn't OK. It's stealing." (Simpson, 2005, p. 180)

Plagiarism is a persistent problem in today’s society. Plagiarism ranges from using texts or images without proper attribution (giving credit) to disguising the misuse of someone else’s work. It has increased with the rise of technological advances and individual access to technology. The average person has access to multiple, global sources of information, increasing opportunities for plagiarism to occur

Public culture has changed and continues to reflect different perceptions about ethical thought and behavior. For example, as long as a hyperlink provides direct access and clear attribution, many sources no longer require prior permission to link. However, some sources may even deny permission. Students at a middle school in Wake County encountered this problem when they asked to link to the Olympics Web site several years ago. Therefore, it is safer for students to be taught to seek prior permission from the original source before hyperlinking.

Changes in moral perception directly impact today's global society as students follow common practice in their violation of established laws. Teachers must address the issues surrounding plagiarism and copyright as they prepare students to do research and complete assignments.