Plagiarism

Just in case some don't know what "plagiarism" actually is, I am blogging about it today.

Since I am in college and have to write a research paper in each class, this is something that has now become one of my pet peeves, and I realize many commit plagiarism out of ignorance to what plagiarism actually is. So here are the different types of plagiarism. It is not as cut and dry as many think it is, you must cite your sources properly.

When on facebook, myspace, or any other social networking site, or a blog website, if you quote someone (in whole or in part), give them credit, by at least linking to the person who quoted them first, or finding the original source and linking that. I have a habit of not doing this either, so I am just as guilty as the next person, but that does not excuse any of us from committing plagiarism. Let us all make the effort to give credit "properly" where credit is due.

We need to be intellectually honest and scholastically honest when using someone else’s written, or spoken words. Plagiarism.com gives the need to know information on what plagiarism is and how it can be avoided and the different types of plagiarism. In short, plagiarism is stealing...period. Also, the sources that one cites needs to have the information documented and give references to the information they are posting, if the website does not, that is plagiarism and the site is untrustworthy.

A lot of times websites that want to refute something, will misrepresent a position, and when they do, they rarely cite their sources for the information they are posting. This is plagiarism...period. I realize that many people are unaware of these standards and therefore are committing plagiarism, or are citing sources that are committing plagiarism without even knowing it. This still does not make it ok, or release us from responsibility in knowing these standards. The original author has gone to great lengths to write or to say something and they deserve to get the credit for, and they also deserve for those who use their work to be scholastically and intellectually honest when using it. It is in a way a matter of common courtesy to the author, and to the person who "might" actually like to be able to go and put their hands on the original texts or audio.

We live in a day and age where people want ALL of their information pre-packaged and instantly given to them, without any effort or work on their own in researching to make sure what is being said is true and being represented in the correct manner. As Christians we are commanded not to steal (see the 8th Commandment). If something is "common knowledge", it does not have to be cited. Like the commandment I just referenced, it is common knowledge. But if one references or copy and pastes information that is from a website or a book, for example:

“In contrast, the Gesellschaft (pronounced guh-ZELL-shoft) is an ideal community that is characteristic of modern urban life” (Schaefer, 2009, p.119).

That is information that is not common knowledge and is directly quoted from one of my text books. If someone would like to see this text in its entirety, I would need to cite my source properly, so that they could either order the text book, or see if they can find it at their local library to read more on the subject or make sure that I have been honest in my quoting of the text. I realize most people could care less about citing sources, and most people are unaware when plagiarism has been committed, but it is a serious offense within academia, within media, with in journalism, and within the world of being a published author. Within academia, a student can be automatically failed and expelled from a college or university if they are found guilty of plagiarism, regardless if it was committed intentionally or out of ignorance. In the media, journalism and the publishing world, plagiarism is a crime and one found guilty of committing plagiarism can be greatly fined, and of course lose respect of being a legitimate source of any type of information, which ultimately damages their career.

As one can see, plagiarism is a great offense and is not as cut and dry as we would all like it to be. Again, I am the first to admit I am guilty of this, and do my best to avoid plagiarizing by posting a link to my source, or actually properly citing my sources using APA style. I also go to great lengths to make sure that the sources I cite properly cite their sources. I shy aware from websites that use catchy phrases to lure a reading in. Within the world of theology, this is an ongoing problem. The author or creator of a particular website might catch a reader’s eye by saying phrases like “The Heresy of insert religious teaching here”, or they use buzz words like exposed, apostate, heretical, and they fancy the words up in different fonts and colors, with the intent to draw an audience. Even if you don’t believe what is being said about a particular teaching, you cannot help but to read what the author is saying.

With in academia, if a student is doing a research paper, they are required to only use reputable scholarly resources. Wikipedia, is NOT a reliable, scholarly source. It is an open source website, where everyone is free to update, or add to the information already present. Opinion websites or articles are also not considered reputable scholarly resources, and the only time they are permitted to be used is if the assignment is an “opinion paper”. It is always best to use websites or other sources that are reputable and scholarly.

Credibility is a must. If a website fails to properly give credit (or cite) their sources, then they are not creditable. I am the type of person that wants to be able to put my hands or eyes on the original texts or audio products that one is referencing. If I can’t, then it makes it impossible for me to know if what is being quoted is accurate. Which means it is just hearsay and how can that be reliable?

When in a debate or discussion, we need to be aware of all I have mentioned above. If not, then we can just say whatever we want, and thus, truth becomes relative, and the debate or discussion is nothing but a bunch of theatrics. Merely cutting and pasting information does not validate anyone’s position, all it does is show that one has a basic knowledge of computers and has mastered the cut and paste functions.

I hope that all who read this blog will check out Plagiarism.com and get familiar with how plagiarism is committed. It is not just pawning someone’s work off as your own, it is more than that. We all need to be informed of this, as this is the standard for writing in academia and in the publishing world. If we use another person’s work, it needs to be properly cited, or a link needs to be posted so that all who are reading can check out our source.

Also, failing to obey copyright, is also plagiarism, and is a huge offense, that if can be prosecuted in a court of law, if there is a legal copyright on the information. If you need information on copyright laws you can go to http://www.copyright.gov/.

While we do live in a time where we are used to being spoon fed information, and rarely are challenged to do any work on our own in researching information, the internet can be used to solve this problem. We no longer need to go to our local library and sift through a million books to get information; it is at our fingertips with the help of the internet. So, we are all without excuse not to know this information. I pray this post has been informative, and that it helps to keep us all from committing plagiarism or violating copyright laws.

You can learn more about citing sources using APA style here. That is the official website for learning and knowing how to cite properly using APA style.

Resources

Schaefer, R. T. (2009). Sociology: A brief introduction. 8^th Ed. McGraw-Hill: New York.

Serving God and My Family,

Crystal <><