Respond In One Or More Of The Following Ways, Ask A Probing
Respond In One Or More Of The Following Waysask A Probing Questions
Respond in one or more of the following ways: Ask a probing question. Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting. Offer and support an opinion. Validate an idea with your own experience. Make a suggestion. Expand on your colleague's posting. Scenario 2: Is It Plagiarism? This scenario Prof. Lee is writing a puzzle or research grant that is due for submission in the next two days. To complete the background section Professor Lee copies a few isolated sentences from a journal paper written by another author. Both copied sentences are brief factual and one sentence summaries of the early layer articles. Professor Lee adds a one sentence summary of the journal paper and cites it (National Academy Press, pg 18). Two questions are posed in this scenario: Does the copying of a few isolated sentences in this case constitute plagiarism? By citing the journal paper, has Lee given proper credit to the other author?
In regards to question number one, were the sentence plagiarized? According to what is given in the scenario the answer would have to be yes the sentences were plagiarized. According to the American Psychological Association or APA, plagiarism is when researchers or others claim the ideas or words as their own and not give proper credit when credit is due (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 2010). Also according to the APA is not just a matter of stating what was said but it is also citing correctly. “The key element of this principle is that authors do not present the work of another as if it were their own work” (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 2010).
This goes into question number two as well; the APA also has guidelines which must be followed for proper citing works which you are using in a paper. If these guidelines are not used properly then again you are committing plagiarism as well as research misconduct (National Academy Press, pg 15-18). In the American Psychological Association publication manual of 2010 starting on page 169, there is details on how to credit sources properly (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 2010) these are items that can be easily missed which will cost a researcher credibility, grant money as well as possible dismissal depending on the institution they may be working at. So in conclusion to the question posed, is it plagiarism? The answer is yes, Professor Lee did commit plagiarism. References: American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy. (2009). On being a scientist: A guide to responsible conduct in research (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
Paper For Above instruction
Plagiarism remains a critical ethical issue in academic and research settings, with significant implications for individual credibility, institutional reputation, and the progression of scientific knowledge. The scenario involving Professor Lee raises essential questions about what constitutes plagiarism and the importance of proper citation practices. By analyzing this case through the lens of established guidelines such as those provided by the American Psychological Association (APA), we can better understand the nuances and boundaries of intellectual honesty.
Understanding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is fundamentally the act of presenting someone else's intellectual work—whether ideas, words, images, or data—as one's own without proper acknowledgment. According to the APA (2010), plagiarism involves misrepresenting the originality of another's work and failing to give appropriate credit. It can include copying verbatim text, paraphrasing without citation, or using ideas without proper attribution. Importantly, even brief snippets or isolated sentences can constitute plagiarism if they are distinctive or central to the original work, especially if they are not credited adequately.
The Specific Case of Professor Lee
In the scenario, Professor Lee copied a few isolated sentences from an academic journal and added a brief summary with a citation. The key issue revolves around whether this constitutes plagiarism despite the citation. The APA explicitly emphasizes that mere citation does not automatically absolve the author if the copied material is not properly integrated or if the source is not clearly distinguished from original contributions. The manual states, “The key element of this principle is that authors do not present the work of another as if it were their own work” (APA, 2010, p. 169). This means that even short quotations or paraphrased ideas must be sufficiently differentiated from the author's original language and properly cited to avoid misrepresentation.
Proper Citation Practices
Correct citation practices are vital in upholding ethical standards. The APA prescribes specific rules for quoting and paraphrasing, including providing page numbers for direct quotes and ensuring that paraphrased material is substantially reworded while still giving credit. If these guidelines are not fully followed, it can lead to accusations of plagiarism. In Professor Lee’s case, citing the source for the isolated sentences suggests an awareness of proper attribution, but the context and manner of copying are crucial. Copying even brief sentences verbatim without quotation marks or clear indication might still be considered a form of plagiarism, especially if the original sentences are unique or distinctive.
Consequences of Plagiarism in Academic Research
Engaging in plagiarism can have severe consequences, ranging from damage to professional reputation and loss of credibility to institutional sanctions, funding termination, and legal repercussions. The integrity of scholarly work relies on transparency about sources and acknowledgment of others' contributions. Institutions and journals often have strict policies, and breaches can result in retractions, disciplinary actions, or dismissal. Furthermore, repeated misconduct undermines trust in the scientific community and impedes the progress of knowledge.
Ethical Responsibilities of Researchers
Researchers bear the ethical responsibility of conducting their work honestly, which includes diligent attribution of sources and adherence to disciplinary standards. Educating oneself about proper citation mechanisms and remaining vigilant about avoiding unintentional plagiarism is essential. Many universities and organizations provide training and resources to promote ethical writing. Moreover, cultivating a culture of integrity encourages open discussions about best practices and the importance of respecting intellectual property rights.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, Professor Lee's actions of copying isolated sentences from a journal, even with a citation, can be viewed as a form of plagiarism under APA guidelines if the sentences are presented as original work without quotation marks or if the citation does not clearly denote a direct quote. Proper attribution requires not just citing a source but also formatting quotations correctly and making it explicitly clear which parts are borrowed. Ultimately, maintaining integrity in academic writing demands meticulous attention to citation detail and acknowledgment of sources, ensuring that credit is always duly given. Hence, the answer is that Professor Lee did commit plagiarism by failing to fully adhere to these standards.
References
- American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2009). On being a scientist: A guide to responsible conduct in research (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.
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