Thursday, October 6, 2011

What is Plagiarism? (and how do we avoid it?)

Plagiarism is one of those "heavy" words in an English course - or in any humanities course.  We are constantly told that we must avoid it, and yet we are using a genre studies model which calls for collaboration and research.  This is why today we're going to talk a bit about what plagiarism is (and what it isn't).

So What Is Plagiarism?
Essentially, plagiarism is the unauthorized reproduction of scholarly, artistic, or commercial material.  It is best known as copying the work of others without permission, but plagiarism can also occur if:

  • You copy your own work (e.g. turning in the same paper for two different courses)
  • Wimply "rewrite" someone else's work without providing substantial new ideas
  • Copy large sections of someone else's work with their permission (yes, it's complicated...)
For a complex look at the definition of plagiarism and accompanying issues, visit plagiarism.org.

Why is Plagiarism a Problem?
Plagiarism is a problem for scholarship because there are some people who hope to get ahead by copying the work of others or by reusing the best of their own work.  It's a problem for discourse, though, because the exchange of ideas depends upon our sharing the ideas of others with our readers.  We are never writing or producing art in a vacuum - we are constantly taking in ideas from others, evaluating them, and then presenting them alongside our own contributions.  Sometimes, there is confusion between when this is appropriate and when it isn't.

In general, you want to present a significantly new "take" on your subject whenever you are submitting a new work for class or publication.  And you want to make sure to reference the people and works which have influenced your thinking on the subject.


Why Do We Reference Material?
References are used to establish your knowledge and credibility.  By referencing others, you show that you are aware of their work and familiar with the subject you're discussing.  By doing this, you also help others find resources related to your topic.  The vast majority of researchers don't check the citations of other authors in the faint hope of saying "getcha!" - rather, they're looking for related resources to help in their own research.


Citation: Your Key to Referencing Material
When you discussed citation in high school, you may have been instructed to follow MLA (Modern Language Association) or APA (American Psychological Association) guidelines.  Although the guidelines provide consistent formatting, it's better to keep in mind certain critical aspects of all citations:
  • Always give credit to those who have provided you information.
  • Provide specific source information that your readers could check the citation through their own research.
  • Provide context regarding what your reference says - you want your readers to be able to judge whether or not they'd want to visit that source for further research.
  • If you copy text verbatim, be sure to enclose their exact words inside quotation marks.  (e.g. "Do, or do not.  There is no try," (Master Yoda).
Uncertain of how to cite your sources?  The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides helpful guidance - check the contents page to the left for different aspects of MLA style.  EasyBib offers a free citation generator.

Copyright: Fair Use versus Plagiarism
To help us see where collaboration ends and plagiarism begins, let's consider the case of Fair Use.  Under the guidelines of federal copyright laws, there are four areas to consider when deciding whether you're using someone else's work fairly (without the need for prior authorization). In general, Fair Use requires that you meet at least two or more of these requirements:
  1. Purpose and Character of the Use: For the Public Good is more acceptable than if it's for Personal Gain.
  2. Nature of the Copied Work: "Facts" about our world (such as statistics) aren't really "owned," so it's usually okay to report them. However, artistic or literary works (which fall under copyright laws) cannot be copied unless they are in the public domain.
  3. Amount and Substantiality: If you're reproducing only a small percentage of the total work (usually 10% or less), it's often all right (e.g. brief movie clips, a page from a novel). However, reproducing all 14 lines of a sonnet would be considered intellectual theft.
  4. Effect on the Work's Value: Sharing clips from the middle of a movie wouldn't stop people from seeing the movie - sharing clips of the last five minutes (and ruining the ending) probably would.

Questions
Plagiarism is a complex issue, so I'd like you to work in your groups to come up with questions about references, citation, and fair use.  Please post your questions below (along with answers or suggestions.)

Case Studies in Plagiarism
On your Project 2 Blogs, you're going to create a "mini unit" on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.  For the mini-unit, I'd like you to present a case study you've found online.  Describe the individual involved, tell the story of the situation (was it on purpose?  accidental?  extenuating circumstances?), and then describe what the individual could have done differently.  Each group member will write up one post describing one of the online sources you've found, and then you'll each write up a different aspect of the event.

Note that it may be difficult finding good examples - it will be harder still to find a detailed example.  I recommend that each person find one example, post the example to your blog, and then have the group choose which of the examples to focus on.  You may need to speculate regarding some circumstances - just be sure to cite the sources you do find and to indicate when you are speculating.  To avoid choosing the same example as another group, try finding the most unique examples you can.  And note also that not all accusations of plagiarism are valid - sometimes accusations are mistaken or misguided.  (Each group member should post two short posts on this topic, about one paragraph each).

20 comments:

  1. where our team of water discharge tank and then rubbing the walls of the tank well by a worker comes down in the tank, and wash well with imported cleaning materials to be safe And then rinsed more than once and dried and sterilized and then refilled with clean water.شركة النجوم لخدمات التنظيف
    شركة نقل عفش بمكة
    شركة نقل اثاث بمكة
    شركة عزل خزانات بمكة

    ReplyDelete
  2. Exceptionally enlightening article about Student-Centered Grading. I like perusing the substance you have posted, I have the data which I was searching for Custom Assignment Help Service

    ReplyDelete
  3. Plagiarism is a standout amongst other blog that I have at any point seen up until now , assuming you truly need to know something new, see Write My Assignment UK subtleties here.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Plagiarism is the inclusion of any idea or any language from someone else without giving due credit by citing and referencing that source in your work.
    Dissertation Writing Services

    ReplyDelete
  5. yes plagiarism is one the part of crime in my view just because it can harm your SEO ranking like i write content by my self for web application development in my website 100% unique
    https://netraclos.com/web-and-mobile-applications/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Copyright infringement is unscrupulous for three reasons. Right off the bat, it is unscrupulous in light of the fact that it is a type of robbery. By taking the thoughts and Salon Management App expressions of others and imagining they are your own, you are taking another person's protected innovation.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Google must check the plagiarism for give you traffic on your website. Further, you can get to know about Furniture Moving Services in Stamford CT after get our service and visit our website.

    ReplyDelete
  8. A simple method for helping you with staying away from plagiarism is to give yourself enough time while composing a paper. It is easy to notice something when you surge. Having an adequate chance to do your exploration and focus on your content will put you miles ahead. Dissertation Writers UK

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Google must check for plagiarism before sending traffic to your website.
    Plagiarism is defined as intentionally or unintentionally passing off someone else's work as your own. This could include plagiarizing or paraphrasing someone else's published or unpublished work without proper attribution, or misrepresenting someone else's artistic or technical work or creation as your own.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Giving yourself sufficient time to write a paper is a straightforward strategy for avoiding plagiarism. When you surge, it's easy to notice something. You will be far ahead if you have enough time to investigate and concentrate on your content. dissertations help

    ReplyDelete
  14. embroidery digitizing said...
    wow, you give the nice information about plagiarism thanks for posting this article and I am waiting for you next new interesting and informative article keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  15. eliza vecca delays the appearance of wrinkles, sensitivity, dryness, dullness, and uneven skin tone while also preventing all of these signs of ageing.

    ReplyDelete
  16. SnazzySnaps offers several packages designed just for Birthday photobooth albury wodonga and Wodonga. Their photo booths include top-notch cameras, unlimited prints, and a selection of entertaining props to improve your guests' experience. Additionally, this business provides open-air photo booth setups with adjustable backdrops and excellent prints. For your birthday memories, snazzysnaps offers a variety of accessories and the choice to insert a guestbook.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, the high ""Matt Laminated 400 Gsm " finish really elevate the overall look and feel! It's such a professional and sophisticated choice. Great attention to detail!"

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dune Buggy Rides offer a unique way to connect with nature and experience the desert's tranquility.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I finally got on this website after a long time, and Custom race medals discovered incredible stuff. This is very wonderful to watch.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great overview of plagiarism and its complexities! It’s essential for students and professionals alike to understand the nuances of proper citation and fair use. For anyone setting up a productive study or work space, consider the Secretlab MAGNUS Monitor Arm. It can help organize your desk, making it easier to manage your research and writing while ensuring your workspace is both functional and comfortable. This way, you can focus more on your work and less on distractions. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about using the MAGNUS Monitor Arm or need further tips on maintaining an organized workspace!

    ReplyDelete