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11

LESSON 11 - ETHICAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION RESEARCH 

LESSON 11 CONTENTS:


III. Plagiarism


To borrow words or ideas from others without proper acknowledgement is called plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs anytime you pretend that someone else’s words or ideas are your own. The following are all examples of plagiarism:

  • Copying text word for word without using quotation marks and citing the source.

  • Paraphrasing or summarizing information without citing the source.

  • Paraphrasing that merely rearranges the author’s words or sentence structure is plagiarism, even if you’ve cited the source.

  • Copying and pasting a sentence or paragraph from a Website (or article from a database) into your research paper, without citing the source.

  • Buying a paper online, or from a fellow student, and pretending it is your work.

The consequences of being found guilty of plagiarism are usually severe, ranging from failing the course to expulsion from school. Many students, however, plagiarize simply because they do not understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Often they lack confidence in their own research and writing skills. But the worst reason many students have for allowing themselves to plagiarize is the belief that that everyone does it.

So it is worth asking: why is plagiarism considered such a crime?

  • It shows complete disrespect for a major standard of conduct in the academic and professional world.

  • Stated bluntly, plagiarism is stealing and lying. A person who plagiarizes shows himself/herself to be a person who lacks integrity – i.e. a person who cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

  • Plagiarism robs you of the opportunity to develop your own research, writing, and thinking skills. Such skills are highly valued in all professions and occupations.

  • Education is an opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge. Plagiarism casts doubt on your willingness and ability to learn and master information on your own. Think of it this way: would you want to be operated on by a surgeon who cheated his way thorough medical school?

The best way to avoid plagiarism is to simply remember to cite the source of every idea or piece of information that is not your own. Every time you quote, paraphrase, or summarize someone else’s words or ideas, give them credit. The only exception to this rule is when you are using information thought to be common knowledge, i.e. information most educated people already know, or information widely available in reference sources. For example, you would not cite your source for the dates of the American Civil War or the names of the first men on the moon.