Additional Information
Writing & Additional Copyright Resources
While we focus on the formatting side of things, you may find yourself needing assistance with writing, copyright and plagiarism issues, or software issues. We've gathered information and links to USF departments and external websites, in the hopes that it may be of help to you as you write and format your ETD.
USF Library & Other Resources
Acknowledging Collaboration & USF
When collaborating on a research project through USF it is important to acknowledge both Team members and USF's rights to the data. Please complete and sign the Research Team Participation Waiver, acknowledging both your rights and USF's, created by USF Libraries in consultation with the General Counsel. It is recommended that this waiver also be placed in the Appendix of your thesis or dissertation. View Waiver.
The Writing Studio at USF
The Writing Studio offers free in-person and remote writing assistance with experienced writing consultants to all currently enrolled USF undergraduate and graduate students. They offer workshops, one-on-one appointments (in person, online, and over the phone), and valuable resources for students. They focus on the writing process - organization, brainstorming, assisting with guidelines, citations/references, grammar, punctuation, and much more.
Ask a Librarian
USF Librarians are also wonderful sources of knowledge - and they are easy to connect with! Ask a Librarian has several options to get help fast - Chat, Desk/Phone, Email, and One-on-One Consultation.
Help with Copyright
As we state in the section on Copyright - it's not always as clear and simple as we sometimes like to think. You may need to figure out how to properly obtain copyright permission, cite something properly, figure out if you even need to have permission to reprint a figure, picture, or written work. Even if you've published your own work, in nearly all cases, you still need permission from the publisher to reprint that work. That's where our librarians who specialize in copyright issues can help! There's a lot of great information on this site, and if you need personal assistance, they are here for you!
Avoiding Plagiarism
Another related and serious topic is plagiarism. There's been an increase in cases of plagiarism in both academia and the professional world over the last decade. As information is more accessible and at your fingertips, it's becoming harder to ensure you avoid plagiarizing another person's work. Many times, people don't even mean to plagiarize - it was just a simple mistake that can still have a major academic and professional impact. This guide has some really valuable information and links to help you cite sources, quote properly, and avoid plagiarism!
Using AI and Large Language Models in your ETD
The Office of Graduate Studies maintains the University's focus on academic integrity and upholds the goal of protecting students who publish their electronic theses and dissertations through USF. The use of generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) can pose significant challenges in regard to academic integrity.
USF Regulation 3.027 - Academic Integrity
I'm sure you've heard of Academic Integrity, but have you ever wondered what the USF Regulations of Academic Integrity say? Violations include cheating; plagiarism; fabrication, forgery, & obstruction; complicity, misconduct in research & creative endeavors; and misuse of computers & intellectual property. This explains all of the processes, repercussions, and guidelines USF uses when these incidents arise.