Plagiarism : How to know and how to avoid it?

Hello!

This blog is a direct response to an assignment given by Dr. Dilip Barad, Where I have written an assignment of my selected topic.

 Name: Dangar Rinkal Nathabhai 

Batch: M.A (Fourth semester) 2022-24

Roll No.: 18

Enrollment number :4069206420220007

Paper Name: Research Methodology

Assignment Topic: Plagiarism : How to know and how to avoid it?

Paper Number : 209

Paper code : 22416

Introduction:

What is Plagiarism? 

If schools wish to impress upon their students how serious an offense plagiarism is, they might start with an explanation of the world's history. Plagiarize (and plagiarism) comes from the Latin plagiarius “kidnapper.” This word, derived from the Latin plaga (“a net used by hunters to catch game”), extended its meaning in Latin to include a person who stole the words, rather than the children, of another. When plagiarius first entered English in the form plagiary, it kept its original reference to kidnapping, a sense that is now quite obsolete. (“Plagiarism Definition & Meaning”)

                        

Plagiarism involves two kinds of wrongs.Using another person's ideas, information, or expressions without acknowledging that person's work constitutes intellectual theft. Passing off another person's ideas, information, or expressions as your own to get a better grade or gain some other advantage constitutes fraud. Plagiarism is sometimes a moral and ethical offense rather than a legal one since some instances of plagiarism fall outside the scope of copyright infringement, a legal offense. (Nicholls 52)

Consequences of Plagiarism

A complex society that depends on well-informed citizens strives to maintain high standards of quality and reliability for documents that are publicly circulated and used in government, business, industry, the professions, higher education, and the media. Because research has the power to affect opinions and actions, responsible writers compose their work with great care. They specify when they refer to another author's ideas, facts, and words, whether they want to agree with, object to, or analyze the source. This kind of documentation not only recognizes the work writers do; it also tends to discourage the circulation of error, by inviting readers to determine for themselves whether a reference to another text presents a reasonable account of

what that text says. Plagiarists undermine these important public values.(Nicholls 53)

According to the International Centre for Academic Integrity (ICAI), academic integrity is a commitment to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. For research and learning to prosper, the academic community must be a hotbed for authentic ideas and fresh thinking.

The internet is flooded with a multitude of documents on various topics, seemingly meant for sharing. This abundance of information has shaped internet culture, promoting the ideal of freely exchanging ideas. While some students may question the need to credit authors, professional writers understand the importance of proper documentation, whether their sources are traditional print or electronic.

In academic settings, the ethos of sharing information is upheld, yet it doesn't negate the necessity of acknowledging authorship. Academic standards mandate that all writers attribute the work of others when incorporating it into their own papers and studies. Despite the ease of accessing information due to technological advancements, the fundamental tasks of research remain the same, requiring students to discern between borrowed content and original contributions.

As information sharing becomes easier, so does the prevalence of plagiarism. For instance, purchasing pre-written research papers online may lead some students to believe they can use the content freely without acknowledging its source. Yet, like books or magazines, purchased papers still require proper attribution. Moreover, educators can often trace downloaded materials through internet searches, making detection of plagiarism easier.

Plagiarism is a grave accusation that affects all writers deeply. Those accused of plagiarism are often viewed as incompetent, unable to generate and articulate their own ideas. Even worse, they may be seen as dishonest, willing to deceive others for their own benefit. When professional writers, like journalists, are caught plagiarizing, the consequences are severe—they could lose their jobs and face public humiliation, damaging their reputation irreparably. A single instance of plagiarism can permanently alter the trajectory of a writer's career.

Artificial intelligence applications have the potential to support student learning and development when used ethically and appropriately. However, inappropriate reliance can be a barrier to student learning and may lead to academic integrity breaches. Institutional leaders, faculty, staff, and students need to reflect on the differences between appropriate and inappropriate use of these applications. Institutions and their staff should develop effective guidance for their leaders, faculty, staff, and students that clearly outline responsibilities for these

applications' ethical, transparent use. (“Statement on Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence The International Center of Academic Integrity is dedicated to build”)

Plagiarism betrays the personal element in writing as well. Discussing the history of copyright, Mark Rose notes the tie between our writing and our sense of self-a tie that, he believes, influenced the idea that a piece of writing could belong to the person who wrote it. Rose says that our sense of ownership of the words we write "is deeply rooted in our conception of ourselves as individuals with at least a modest grade of singularity, some degree of personality"

Unintentional Plagiarism

When writing a research paper, individuals are tasked with synthesizing existing research and their own insights on the topic. While it's permissible to incorporate others' words, facts, and ideas, it's essential to attribute them properly. Essentially, it's akin to borrowing something from a friend—you need to acknowledge where it came from. This entails documenting the sources of direct quotes, paraphrased content, and information used.

Unintentional plagiarism can occur, especially when students copy material without realizing it's wrong. For instance, a student might inadvertently replicate everything from a source without understanding the implications. To prevent this, meticulous note-taking is crucial, ensuring clear differentiation between personal contributions and borrowed content. If accidental plagiarism is discovered after submission, individuals should promptly notify their instructor to rectify the situation, prioritizing honesty over potential consequences.

Forms of Plagiarism

The most blatant form of plagiarism involves submitting a paper written by someone else as if it were one's own. Other, less overt forms of plagiarism include failing to provide proper acknowledgment when restating or rephrasing another's words, appropriating a particularly apt phrase without citation, and paraphrasing another's argument or presenting their line of thinking without attribution.

There are three forms of Plagiarism: 

1. Repeating or Paraphrasing Wording,

2. Taking a Particularly Apt Phrase, and

3. Paraphrasing an Argument or Presenting a Line of Thinking.

1. Repeating or Paraphrasing Wording:

Repeating or paraphrasing wording in plagiarism refers to using someone else's words without proper attribution. It involves copying phrases, sentences, or paragraphs from a source and presenting them as one's own without acknowledging the original author. This can occur when a writer directly repeats or rephrases someone else's language without quotation marks or proper citation. Even though the words may be rearranged or slightly altered, failing to give credit to the original source constitutes plagiarism.

2. Taking a Particularly Apt Phrase:

Taking a particularly apt phrase in the context of plagiarism involves using a distinctive or noteworthy expression from someone else's work without giving credit to the original author. This form of plagiarism occurs when a writer appropriates a memorable or eloquent phrase from a source and incorporates it into their own writing without proper attribution. Even if the phrase is just a few words or a short sentence, failing to acknowledge the source constitutes plagiarism. It's important to provide proper citation to give credit to the original author and avoid the unethical practice of passing off someone else's words as one's own.

3. Paraphrasing an Argument or Presenting a Line of Thinking.

Paraphrasing an argument or presenting a line of thinking in the context of plagiarism involves rephrasing someone else's ideas or arguments without properly acknowledging the original source. This form of plagiarism occurs when a writer takes the concepts, arguments, or viewpoints of another person and presents them in their own words without giving credit. It's essential to provide proper citation when paraphrasing to indicate the source of the ideas being expressed. Failing to do so can lead to allegations of academic dishonesty and undermines the integrity of the writer's work.

Related Issues of Plagiarism:

Various issues closely linked to plagiarism and academic integrity encompass reusing a research paper, collaborative work, research involving human subjects, and copyright infringement.

Reusing a research paper, particularly to fulfill the requirements of a different course, is deemed dishonest and deprives individuals of the chance to enhance their understanding and skills. Seeking permission from the current instructor before revisiting a previously submitted paper is essential. Additionally, if incorporating portions of prior writing into a new paper, guidance from the instructor should be sought to ensure proper acknowledgment.

Collaborative work, such as group projects, is a common and encouraged practice in many educational settings and professions. As long as all contributors receive due credit, joint participation in research and writing is not considered plagiarism. Clear delineation of individual roles or equal acknowledgment for shared contributions is crucial. Consulting with the instructor for clarification on how to acknowledge collaboration is advisable when unsure.

Research involving human subjects, though less common at the high school or college level, necessitates adherence to institutional policies regarding informed consent. Whether conducting clinical trials or personal interviews, researchers must obtain consent from human subjects. It's prudent to inquire about institutional policies regarding research involving human subjects, particularly if relevant to a paper's topic.

Regarding copyright infringement, while summaries, paraphrases, and brief quotations are typically permissible with proper acknowledgment, reproducing or distributing an entire copyrighted work without permission constitutes a violation of copyright law. Even if the source is acknowledged, reproducing substantial portions of copyrighted material is unlawful. It's imperative to familiarize oneself with copyright laws, especially when dealing with published works in any medium. For comprehensive guidance on copyright and legal issues related to publishing, reference materials such as the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing.

When Documentation is Not Needed?

Apart from citing direct quotations and paraphrases, it's crucial to consider the relevance and acceptance of the information and ideas you gather from sources in relation to your audience and scholarly consensus on the topic. Generally, widely recognized facts, like basic author biographies or historical event dates, can be used without specific citation, as they are presumed to be commonly known. However, in cases where readers may require further clarification or when facts are heavily debated among scholars, proper documentation is necessary. You can attribute disputed information to the source you support or provide documentation for the entire controversy. While direct quotes and paraphrases always require citation, commonly known proverbs, sayings, and cliches typically do not. If you're unsure whether you're plagiarizing, it's best to err on the side of caution and cite your sources.

References:

Nicholls, David G. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Modern Language Association of America, 2009.

“Plagiarism Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plagiarism. Accessed 24 April 2024.

“Statement on Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence The International Center of Academic Integrity is dedicated to build.” International Center for Academic Integrity, https://academicintegrity.org/images/ICAI_Statement_on_Academic_Integrity__Artificial_Intelligence.pdf. Accessed 24 April 2024.