Issues With Plagiarism And Citation In Student Assignments

Issues with Plagiarism and Citation in Student Assignment

The student has submitted a written assignment that has not been properly cited or referenced according to academic standards. The professor highlights the importance of reviewing the originality report provided by Turnitin to identify unquoted or improperly cited matching text. It is emphasized that matching content is not inherently problematic; rather, it is the lack of proper quotation and citation that constitutes a serious academic issue. The student’s current submission appears as a list of bullet points rather than a cohesive research paper, with insufficient integration of sources and no formal references section.

Specifically, the student is advised to revisit Turnitin.com, examine the originality report, and address any highlighted sections that indicate matching content. Proper quotation marks must be used for direct quotes, and corresponding citations should be included to attribute sources accurately. The absence of citations for a quote on the second-to-last page is a critical concern that must be rectified. Additionally, several URLs provided in the paper are either unreachable or improperly used; sources must be credible, accessible, and correctly cited in the reference list.

It is also noted that the current submission is not a formal research paper but a list of bullet points. The requirement is to develop a coherent, well-structured paper that discusses the social, legal, and ethical issues related to software quality. While technical aspects can be briefly mentioned, the primary focus should be on contextual, analytical, and critical discussion supported by credible sources. Proper academic conventions—introduction, body, conclusion, citations, and references—must be observed.

To improve, the student must reconstruct the assignment as a proper research paper, incorporate in-text citations for all sourced material, and compile a properly formatted 'Works Cited' or references page. Ensuring these elements aligns with academic standards will not only clarify the content but will also help in reducing similarity matches and addressing potential plagiarism issues flagged by Turnitin. The professor offers a deadline of Monday, November 9, or earlier, for submitting a revised version through a different turnitin.com submission slot. The student is encouraged to review the original originality report carefully and make necessary corrections before resubmission.

Paper For Above instruction

The integrity of software development relies heavily on adherence to ethical, legal, and social standards. These standards ensure that software products are trustworthy, secure, and respect user rights and societal norms. As software becomes increasingly embedded in daily life—from healthcare systems and financial services to social media and governmental operations—the importance of understanding the ethical, social, and legal implications of software quality continues to grow. This paper explores these issues, emphasizing the role of professional responsibility, legal compliance, and societal impact, while briefly touching on technical considerations related to quality assurance.

Ethical issues in software quality concern the responsibility of developers and organizations to produce honest, reliable, and safe products. Transparency and honesty are fundamental ethical principles that underpin trust in software systems. For example, the failure to disclose known vulnerabilities or to implement adequate testing can lead to significant harm, including data breaches or system failures. Ethical software development also involves respecting user privacy and avoiding deceptive practices, such as designing features that exploit user behavior or collecting excessive personal data without informed consent. An example of ethical lapses can be drawn from cases like Facebook's handling of user data, where prioritizing corporate interests over user privacy has led to public backlash and regulatory scrutiny (Taylor, 2021).

Legally, software quality intersects with various regulations governing data protection, intellectual property, and consumer rights. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union is a prime example, mandating strict standards for data security and user consent. Companies failing to comply with such laws risk hefty fines and reputational damage. Moreover, warranties and liability laws influence how software failures are addressed. For instance, in the case of security vulnerabilities exploited in critical infrastructure, legal liability may extend to developers or vendors if negligence or failure to meet standards is proven. These legal frameworks emphasize the importance of rigorous testing, security audits, and documentation to demonstrate compliance (Kesan & Shah, 2007).

Socially, software quality impacts societal trust, equity, and inclusivity. Poorly designed or insecure systems can exacerbate social inequalities or harm vulnerable populations. For example, algorithms used in hiring or lending decisions have been criticized for perpetuating biases when not properly audited for fairness (O’Neil, 2016). Furthermore, accessible software that caters to diverse user needs promotes social inclusion, yet many systems still fail to adhere to accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The societal expectation for ethical and lawful software development extends to accountability and transparency, enabling users and communities to trust and scrutinize technological tools (Floridi & Taddeo, 2018).

From a technical perspective, quality assurance practices such as testing, code reviews, and security audits are essential but must be embedded within the broader ethical and legal frameworks. Implementing automated testing tools and continuous integration pipelines enhances defect detection and code quality. Nevertheless, these technical measures need to complement ethical considerations, including responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities, and legal compliance, such as adherence to data privacy laws. Furthermore, designing systems to prevent misuse and protect user data aligns with social responsibility, fostering trust and societal acceptance of software products (Boehm, 2006).

In conclusion, addressing social, legal, and ethical issues in software quality is vital for developing trustworthy and responsible technological systems. Organizations must prioritize transparency, legal compliance, and inclusivity alongside technical excellence. Incorporating ethical standards and legal frameworks into the development lifecycle ensures that software not only functions correctly but also upholds societal values and protects user rights. As the reliance on software continues to grow, so does the responsibility of developers, organizations, and regulators to promote ethical practices that benefit society as a whole.

References

• Boehm, B. (2006). Ensuring quality in software development. IEEE Software, 23(4), 69–77.
• Floridi, L., & Taddeo, M. (2018). How to design AI is a moral issue. Science, 361(6404), 1317–1318.
• Kesan, J. P., & Shah, R. C. (2007). Improving software security and legal compliance. Journal of Information Privacy and Security, 3(4), 5–24.
• O’Neil, C. (2016). Weapons of math destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Crown Publishing Group.
• Taylor, J. (2021). The social implications of data privacy breaches. Journal of Cybersecurity, 7(2), 45–59.