This essay is going to consider the issues around and avoidance of plagiarism. It’s going to look at definitions and the different forms of plagiarism as well as the impact and consequences of plagiarism. It’s going to explore the use of correct referencing format for a variety of research sources.

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words and/or concepts, applying them and not giving recognition to the person who thought of them and then passing those words/concepts as their own. (Reserved, 2017)

There are various forms of plagiarism and all are severe infringements of scholarly morality. (Bowdoin.edu. N.p., 2017)

The most common types of plagiarism are direct, self-plagiarism, mosaic plagiarism and accidental plagiarism. (Bowdoin.edu. N.p., 2017)

Direct plagiarism is the literal replica of a piece of a different person’s work that doesn’t contain acknowledgment, or quotation marks. The purposive plagiarism of a different person’s work is improper, scholarly fraudulent and requires punitive measures, including expulsion. (Bowdoin.edu. N.p., 2017)

Self-plagiarism takes place when a pupil hands in their own preceding work, or incorporates sections of preceding works without acceptance from all lecturers involved. For example, it would be inadmissible to mix a section of an assignment a person wrote in their first year into an assignment they are writing in their second year. Self-plagiarism is also implemented when handing in the same assignment in different classes without acceptance from both lecturers. (Bowdoin.edu. N.p., 2017)

Mosaic plagiarism takes place when a pupil obtains phrases from an authorship without citing, or when numerous words are replaced with synonyms but keeps to the original layout of the source. This is known as patch-phrasing. Whether its deliberate or not, it is scholarly fraudulent and requires punitive measures. (Qcpages.qc.cuny.edu, 2017) An example of mosaic plagiarism goes as follows… Here is a sample piece of text, “Directions: After waxing has been completed, apply the lotion generously, gently massaging into the treated area for a soothing and relaxing effect.” A plagiarized version of this would be, “Method: After waxing has been completed, spread the lotion generously, softly massaging into the treated area for a soothing and calming effect.” The underlined text in this example is what has been plagiarized.

Accidental plagiarism is when someone doesn’t cite their findings, or misrepresents their findings, or accidentally rephrased a finding by using like for like terminology, sentences and/or layout without giving credit. (Bowdoin.edu. N.p., 2017)

Plagiarism accusations can account for a pupil being dismissed or deferred. Their scholarly report can reveal the practice has been breached, likely provoking the pupil to be eliminated from university or joining another university. Universities take plagiarism as a severe matter. Universities often withhold pupils for their first infringement. Pupils are normally eliminated if more breaches are made. (Ithenticate.com, 2017)

When someone has been marked with plagiarism accusations, a pupil’s career can be desolated. Publishing is an essential part of an illustrious, intellectual career. To relinquish the capability to publish possibly means the end of a pedantic role and the loss of respectability. (Ithenticate.com, 2017)

The juridical follow up of plagiarism is considerably significant. Copyright measures are infallible. An individual simply cannot utilize someone else’s work without citing and referencing. The original composer of the work has the right to sue the plagiarist. A few forms of plagiarism can also be suspected as a felony, and can lead to confinement. However, these punitive measures are often applied to people who have a career in writing, for example authors and journalists. In some cases, pupils and others can have monetary penalties if found plagiarizing. (Ithenticate.com, 2017)

The result of plagiarizing is extensive and applies to everyone. Obliviousness or a person’s capacity does not justify someone from the principled or juridical developments of plagiarizing. Prior to starting a project, it is advised to have knowledge on plagiarism. Identify what legislates plagiarism and how to abstain from plagiarizing. Indolence or infidelity can affect a person’s reputation and career. (Ithenticate.com, 2017)

References

Bowdoin.edu. (2017). The Common Types of Plagiarism. [online] Available at: https://www.bowdoin.edu/studentaffairs/academic-honesty/common-types.shtml [Accessed 7 Mar. 2017].

Ithenticate.com. (2017). 6 Consequences of Plagiarism. [online] Available at: http://www.ithenticate.com/resources/6-consequences-of-plagiarism [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017].

Qcpages.qc.cuny.edu. (2017). Plagiarism 9. [online] Available at: http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/~redwards/Plagiarism/09.html [Accessed 12 Mar. 2017].

Reserved, A. (2017). What is plagiarism? Definition and guidance. [online] Available at: https://www.scanmyessay.com/plagiarism/what-is-plagiarism.php [Accessed 22 Feb. 2017].