Assignment 209:Research Methodology
Name: Bhavyata Kukadiya
Roll No.: 04
Enrollment No.: 4069206420220018
Paper no: 209
Paper code: 22416
Paper name: Plagiarism in Research Writing
Sem.: 4 (Batch 2022- 2024)
Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi Department of English, M.K. Bhavnagar University
Plagiarism in Research Writing
Introduction
Plagiarism entails using someone else's words, ideas, or work without giving them proper credit, akin to stealing intellectual property. In academic and research realms, it's a cardinal sin, tantamount to cheating. Examples range from directly copying passages from books or websites to presenting others' thoughts without citation or claiming someone else's project or paper as your own. The repercussions of plagiarism are severe, potentially resulting in failed grades, university suspension, or even expulsion. In professional settings, it can devastate reputations and careers, leading to ethical violations, job loss, or revoked funding. Moreover, plagiarism may infringe upon copyrights, inviting legal action. To steer clear of plagiarism, one must diligently cite sources, giving credit where it's due, and ensure grammatical accuracy in their work.
Origin of the word Plagiarism
Derived from the Latin word plagiarius ("kidnapper"), to plagiarise means"to commit literary theft" and to "present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source"
The word "plagiarism" finds its roots in the Latin term "plagiarius," originally denoting a kidnapper or abductor. This Latin term derived from "plaga," a net utilised by hunters to ensnare prey, later metaphorically extending to individuals who "netted" or stole the words of others.
As the concept evolved and entered the English lexicon, it initially appeared as "plagiary," describing those who committed literary theft or appropriated another's ideas. With time, "plagiarism" gained prevalence, becoming recognized as a significant transgression in academic and professional domains.
Today, plagiarism is universally condemned as a form of intellectual theft, with serious ramifications such as tarnished reputations, compromised credibility, and potential legal consequences. The evolution of the term reflects the shifting perceptions of originality and ethical standards across centuries.
The etymology of "plagiarism" serves as a captivating window into linguistic evolution, underscoring the importance of vigilance in producing authentic, innovative work among writers and thinkers alike.
DEFINITION OF PLAGIARISM
plagiarism is representing a part of or the entirety of someone else's work as your own. Whether published or unpublished, this could be ideas, text verbatim, infographics, etc. - The Complete Guide [eBook] by DEEPTANSHU D
plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.- Oxford Dictionary
Plagiarism is presenting work or ideas from another source as your own, with or without consent of the original author, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. - Website of Oxford Student
Plagiarism involves two kinds of wrongs.
1.Using another person's ideas, information, or expression without acknowledging that person's work constitutes intellectual theft.
2, Passing off another person's ideas, information, or expressions as your own to get a better grade or gain some other advantage constitutes fraud.
Forms of Plagiarism:
1] Repeating or Paraphrasing Wording :
Reproducing or rephrasing content without proper acknowledgment constitutes a variant of plagiarism. It transpires when a writer replicates or reiterates another individual's expressions or concepts without appropriate citation. This manifestation of plagiarism manifests diversely, including direct replication of text, rewording sentences or notions without due credit, or substituting synonyms to uphold the initial text's structure and essence.
Original Source : Someone is using information about Dickinson’s poems that appears on page 625 of an essay by Wendy Martin in the book Columbia Literary History of the United States.
Plagiarism : Emily Dickinson Firmly Believe that….
Without Plagiarism : As Wendy Martin has suggested, Emily Dickinson firmly believed that….The example illustrates a case of plagiarism where the writer has rephrased information on Dickinson's poems without acknowledging the original source, Wendy Martin's essay. Although the wording is altered, the essence remains the same, yet the writer fails to credit Martin.
To prevent such plagiarism, it's crucial to cite all sources accurately and articulate ideas in your own words. While researching or note-taking, always record the source of information and rephrase it using original language, ensuring proper attribution. When incorporating direct quotes or paraphrasing, employ quotation marks and provide citations to uphold integrity and avoid plagiarism effectively.
In essence, repeating or paraphrasing wording without citation constitutes plagiarism, emphasising the necessity of employing proper referencing techniques in all writing endeavours.
2] Taking a particularly Apt Phrase
Utilising a striking phrase without appropriate acknowledgment is a type of plagiarism wherein a writer incorporates a term or concept originated or popularised by another individual without due citation. This form of plagiarism can be subtle, as the writer might be unaware that the phrase they're employing isn't of their own devising.
Original Source : Everyone uses the word language and everybody these days talks about culture… “Languaculture” is a reminder….(Michael Agar, Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation[New York: Morrow, 1994;60])
Plagiarism : At the intersection of language and culture lies a concept that we might call “Languaculture”.
Without Plagiarism : At the intersection of language and culture lies a concept that Michael Agar has called “Languaculture” (60).
In the example provided, the writer has committed plagiarism by using the term "Languaculture" without giving proper credit to Michael Agar, who coined the term in his book Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation. By presenting the term as their own idea, the writer is taking credit for Agar's original contribution to the field of language and culture studies.
To avoid this type of plagiarism, it is important to properly cite all sources and give credit to the original creator of any particularly apt phrase or concept. In the example provided, the writer could have avoided plagiarism by acknowledging Agar's contribution and using his exact wording, as shown in the "Without Plagiarism" version of the sentence.
3] Global or Complete Plagiarism
Copying an entire piece of work without saying who wrote it is called complete plagiarism. It's like taking someone's homework and saying you did it yourself. This is a big no-no because it's unfair to the person who actually did the work. It's also against the rules because it's like stealing someone's ideas. If you get caught, you could get into serious trouble, like paying a fine or even going to jail, depending on how serious it is. Plus, people won't trust you because they'll see you as someone who cheats and doesn't play fair.
Some folks do this because they don't understand that it's wrong to copy someone else's work. They might think it's okay if they're in a hurry or if they're not good at coming up with their own ideas. But even if you change the words a bit, it's still not okay if you don't give credit to the person who originally wrote it.
To avoid this, it's important to always say where you got your information from and who wrote it. That way, everyone's work gets the credit it deserves. If you're not sure if you're doing it right, you can use special tools to check if you accidentally copied someone else's work. Overall, it's really important to be honest and give credit where it's due.
4] Verbatim or Direct Plagiarism
Verbatim plagiarism happens when someone copies a piece of someone else's work word-for-word without giving credit. It's like taking a whole sentence or paragraph from another source and using it in your own work without saying where you got it. This is a big problem in research and writing because it's not honest or fair.
Whether it's done on purpose or by accident, verbatim plagiarism is a serious offense. It can get you in trouble legally and make people question your integrity. In academic writing especially, where being original is crucial, it's a big deal.
To avoid verbatim plagiarism, it's important to cite your sources properly. Whenever you use someone else's words exactly, you need to put them in quotation marks and give credit to the original author by mentioning their name, the title of their work, and where you found it. Even if you rewrite someone else's ideas in your own words, you still need to acknowledge where those ideas came from. Using plagiarism checkers can help you spot any similarities between your work and other sources, but remember, they're not perfect, so always double-check your citations. The key is to always be honest and give credit where it's due.
5] Accidental Plagiarism
Accidental plagiarism happens when you accidentally present someone else's work or ideas as your own. It often occurs when you forget to give credit to the original source by not including proper citations. This can happen when you're not careful while using sources, like when you forget to mention where you found certain information or when you accidentally use similar words or phrases as the original text.
Accidental plagiarism can lead to serious consequences, like damaging your reputation or getting into trouble for not following academic rules. But usually, it's seen as less serious than if you intentionally try to pass off someone else's work as your own.
To avoid accidental plagiarism, it's important to double-check your work and make sure you've cited all your sources properly. You can also use special software to help you find any unintentional plagiarism in your writing. By doing these things, you can make sure you're giving credit where it's due and avoid accidentally plagiarizing someone else's work.
CONSEQUENCES
Research holds significant power in shaping opinions and decisions, and responsible writers approach their work with meticulous care. They make it clear when they are referring to someone else's ideas, facts, or words, whether they are agreeing with, disputing, or analyzing the source. This kind of citation not only acknowledges the efforts of writers but also helps prevent the spread of inaccuracies. However, plagiarists disregard these crucial principles.
Plagiarism is a grave offense. Those who commit it are viewed as incompetent and incapable of formulating and articulating their own thoughts. When professionals like journalists are caught plagiarizing, they often face termination from their jobs, public shame, and a decline in reputation.
For students, the consequences of plagiarism can be severe. They may receive harsh penalties, fail assignments, or even be expelled from school. Moreover, it can strain relationships with teachers and erode the credibility of academic standards for grading and degree conferment.
Students who resort to plagiarism deprive themselves of a valuable opportunity to learn how to write a research paper. They miss out on developing essential skills for academic success and personal growth.
Other consequences of plagiarism are:
Destroyed Student Reputation
Destroyed Professional Reputation
Destroyed Academic Reputation
Legal Repercussions
Monetary Repercussions
Academic Penalties
Poor Quality Content
Career Damage
Potential Legal And Criminal Action
How to know Plagiarism and how to avoid it.
Failing to properly cite your sources or providing inadequate citations constitutes plagiarism, a grave offence in academic circles and a serious form of misconduct. Plagiarism poses a significant threat to academic integrity, prompting the need for students and researchers to be well-informed about proper documentation practices. Proper citation is the key to avoiding plagiarism.
Many universities utilise plagiarism detection software to identify potential instances of plagiarism and discourage students from engaging in such misconduct. Upholding academic integrity involves providing students with comprehensive orientations, mandatory writing courses, and clearly defined honour codes. These measures contribute to fostering a shared understanding among students and researchers that plagiarism is unacceptable.
To prevent plagiarism, it's crucial to follow these essential steps:
Practise ethical and honest writing in all scientific endeavours.
Attribute credit to all original sources used in your work.
Use quotation marks appropriately when directly quoting from a source.
Reserve quotation marks for widely recognized scientific and historical facts.
Obtain permission from publishers or copyright holders to avoid self-plagiarism.
Keep track of all sources consulted during your research.
Paraphrase or quote from sources while integrating your own ideas.
Provide proper acknowledgment of the original author through in-text citations and a comprehensive reference list.
Use plagiarism detection tools such as Scribbr, Quetext, Grammarly, or Unicheck to review your work before submission.
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Work Cited
Deeptanshu D, and Dogra Shubham. “What Is Plagiarism? - The Complete Guide [Ebook]” SciSpace, SciSpace Resources, 18 Oct. 2022,https://typeset.io/resources/the-only-plagiarism-guide-you-will-need/.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Seventh ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2015.
Hornby, Albert Sydney. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English / [by] A.S. Hornby ; Editor Jonathan Crowther. Oxford, England :Oxford University Press, 1995.
“Plagiarism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plagiarism.
"Plagiarism." University of Oxford, 2023, https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/plagiarism.
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