What is Plagiarism? : Types & Definitions of Plagiarism

Introduction: Plagiarism, a pervasive academic and intellectual misconduct, involves the unauthorized use or representation of another person’s ideas, words, or creative works as one’s own, without giving appropriate credit or acknowledgment to the original source. This unethical practice not only undermines the principles of academic integrity but also diminishes the essence of creativity, critical thinking, and honest scholarship. Whether it occurs in academic essays, research papers, creative writing, or any other form of expression, plagiarism poses a serious threat to the pursuit of knowledge and the advancement of society. It is essential for individuals to understand the ramifications of plagiarism and actively uphold the principles of honesty, originality, and proper attribution to foster a culture that celebrates authentic and responsible intellectual contributions.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism refers to the act of using someone else’s ideas, words, or creative works without proper acknowledgment or permission, presenting them as one’s own. This can occur in various forms, including copying and pasting text from a source without citation, paraphrasing without giving credit, submitting someone else’s work as your own, or even using images, data, or other intellectual property without appropriate attribution. Plagiarism is considered a grave breach of academic and professional ethics, as it undermines the values of honesty, integrity, and originality that are fundamental to scholarly pursuits and creative endeavors.

In academic settings, plagiarism is a significant concern, as it distorts the evaluation of students’ true knowledge and abilities. When individuals engage in plagiarism, they not only misrepresent their own work but also disregard the intellectual contributions of others, leading to a lack of trust within the academic community. Moreover, plagiarism can have severe consequences, ranging from academic penalties such as failing a course or expulsion to damage to one’s reputation and professional career. Universities and educational institutions often have strict policies and guidelines in place to detect and address plagiarism, emphasizing the importance of proper citation and originality in academic writing.

Beyond academia, plagiarism also affects the realms of journalism, literature, art, and various other creative fields. Content creators and artists rely on their originality and uniqueness to stand out and build a following. When plagiarism occurs, it not only infringes upon their intellectual property rights but also stifles creativity and innovation within these industries. To safeguard the integrity of creative works and foster a culture that values authenticity and respect for intellectual property, recognizing and addressing plagiarism is crucial.

In the digital age, with vast amounts of information readily accessible online, the temptation to engage in plagiarism has increased significantly. However, with the aid of plagiarism detection tools and increasing awareness about its consequences, educators, publishers, and institutions are working together to combat this unethical practice. Encouraging proper citation, promoting originality, and educating individuals about the importance of ethical conduct are vital steps in combating plagiarism and preserving the integrity of knowledge and creativity in society.

The root of the Word ‘Plagiarism’

The etymology of the term ‘plagiarism’ is subject to multiple interpretations. It finds its roots in the Latin word “plagiarius,” which encompasses meanings like abducting, kidnapping, seducing, or plundering, as well as referring to a kidnapper who ensnares children or slaves in a plaga (net). Historically, the Roman poet Martial (40-102 AD) was the first to associate the word “plagiarius” with someone who dishonestly claimed authorship of stolen literary works, which eventually led to the emergence of the term “plagiary” and, subsequently, “plagiarism.” The act of stealing words in literature became a significant issue during the era of book culture, and this concept of plagiarism played a crucial role in shaping the development of copyright law and elevating the status attached to authorship and originality. In 1601, the English word “plagiary” surfaced in Ben Jonson’s work “The Poetaster,” defining a literary thief who wrongfully appropriates another’s words or ideas. While some attribute the first recorded use of the word “plagiarism” to Sir William Shakespeare, the Oxford Dictionary credits Ben Jonson for using the word in print.

Meaning & Definitions of Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the act of using or closely imitating someone else’s ideas, words, expressions, creative work, or intellectual property without proper attribution, permission, or acknowledgment, and presenting it as one’s original work. It is a form of academic and intellectual dishonesty that violates the principles of ethical writing, academic integrity, and respect for the intellectual contributions of others. Plagiarism can occur in various forms, including direct copying, paraphrasing without citation, using someone else’s images, data, or research findings without permission, and submitting another person’s work as one’s own. It is considered a serious offense in educational, professional, and creative settings, and institutions often have strict policies and consequences to address and prevent plagiarism. Proper citation and referencing of sources are essential in avoiding plagiarism and upholding the standards of honest scholarship and originality.

Different views and definitions of plagiarism given by different people from time to time are mentioned below:
In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, ‘to plagiarize’ means

• “to use the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own words or ideas”

• “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own : use (another’s production) without crediting the source”

• “to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source”

In Dictionary.com, plagiarism means, “literary theft. Plagiarism occurs when a writer duplicates another writer’s language or ideas and then calls the work his or her own.”

In the words of Rampola, “plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas, or research of another person and putting them forward without citation as if they were your own. It is intellectual theft and a clear violation of the code of ethics and behavior that most academic institutions have established to regulate the scholastic conduct of their members.”

According to “American Association of University Professors”, plagiarism means, “taking over the ideas, methods, or written words of another, without acknowledgment and with the intention that they be taken as the work of the deceiver.”

According to Joy & Luck, plagiarism means “unacknowledged copying of documents or programs.”

Colwin & Lancaster define plagiarism as “the presentation of another person’s ideas or materials as if it were one’s own.”

In the words of Park, “plagiarism is a type of cheating where students present the work of others as their own for the purpose of academic credit.”

`Random House Webster’s College Dictionary’ defines it as “the unauthorized use of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own.”

Irving defines plagiarism as ” the submission of the part or all of another person’s work as if it were one’s own, without the knowledge of the author, and with intention to deceive.”

According to ‘Office of Research Integrity’ (ORI) plagiarism includes “both the theft or misappropriation of intellectual property and the substantial unattributed textual copying of another’s worlein.”

According to ‘The University of Queensland, Australia’, “the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media”

According to English Literary Society, plagiarism can be described as:

• “turning in someone else’s work as your own”;

• “copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit”;

• “failing to put a quotation in quotation marks”;

• “giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation”;

• “changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit”;

• “copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not.”

Types of Plagiarism:

Plagiarism, a pervasive academic misconduct, manifests itself in various forms, each with its unique characteristics and ethical implications. Understanding the different types of plagiarism is essential to identify and combat this dishonest practice effectively. From blatant copy-and-paste offenses to subtle paraphrasing without proper attribution, and even self-plagiarism, where individuals reuse their own work without acknowledgment, each form poses a threat to academic integrity, creative expression, and the pursuit of knowledge. By exploring the nuances of these types of plagiarism, we can equip ourselves with the knowledge to uphold the principles of honesty and originality, fostering a culture that values ethical conduct and respects the intellectual contributions of all. It is not easy to define the types of plagiarism. Different organizations and persons have given different types, which are mentioned below:

1. Types of Plagiarism Identified by Lucas:

Lucas identified three different forms of plagiarism in his textbook, “The Art of Public Speaking”, which have been mentioned in Table 1.

Table 1: Types of plagiarism identified by Lucas

2. Types of Plagiarism Identified by Turnitin.com

Turnitin.com provides ten types of unoriginal work in the white paper “The Plagiarism Spectrum: Tagging 10 Types of Unoriginal Work”. The types of plagiarism have been mentioned in Table 2.

Table 2
Types of plagiarism identified by Turnitin.com

Source: The above information has been taken from http://pages.turnitin. com/plagiarism_spectrum.html

3. Types of Plagiarism, Identified by University of New South Wales (UNSW)

“University of New South Wales” mentions different types of plagiarism that have been presented in Table 3.

Table 3
Types of plagiarism identified by the University of New South Wales

Source: Above information has been taken from https://student.unsw.edu.au/common-forms-plagiarism.

Circumstances of Plagiarism:

Plagiarism can arise under two distinct circumstances, one being intentional, and the other unintentional. As aptly described by Palmquist, intentional plagiarism involves knowingly appropriating someone else’s work without providing proper attribution, either by directly copying content or deceitfully presenting it as one’s own. This form of plagiarism represents the most severe breach of academic integrity and creative ethics. On the other hand, unintentional plagiarism occurs when individuals do not intend to plagiarize but fail to appropriately reference their sources. This type of plagiarism often results from careless paraphrasing, omitting citations when paraphrasing a source, or inadvertently overlooking footnotes. Whether intentional or unintentional, both instances of plagiarism undermine the principles of honesty and respect for intellectual property, emphasizing the importance of promoting ethical writing practices and responsible attribution to maintain the integrity of scholarly pursuits and creative endeavors.

Intentional Plagiarism: Intentional plagiarism refers to the deliberate act of using someone else’s ideas, words, or creative work without proper attribution or permission and presenting it as one’s own. In this form of plagiarism, individuals knowingly and willfully copy, reproduce, or paraphrase content from a source without acknowledging the original author or providing an appropriate citation. The intent behind intentional plagiarism is often to deceive and take credit for the work, ideas, or achievements of others, which constitutes a serious breach of academic and ethical standards.

Intentional plagiarism can take various forms, including directly copying and pasting text from a source without quotation marks or proper citation, submitting someone else’s work as one’s own, or purchasing pre-written papers from essay mills and presenting them as original compositions. This type of plagiarism is generally considered more severe than unintentional plagiarism because it involves a conscious decision to engage in dishonest practices and misrepresent one’s abilities or accomplishments.

Educational institutions, publishers, and professional organizations often have strict policies and consequences in place to address intentional plagiarism. It is crucial for individuals to understand the gravity of intentional plagiarism and actively uphold the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for intellectual property to maintain the credibility and integrity of scholarly pursuits and creative expressions.

Unintentional Plagiarism: Unintentional plagiarism refers to the act of using someone else’s ideas, words, or creative work without proper attribution, citation, or acknowledgment, not due to a deliberate intent to deceive or misrepresent, but rather because of inadvertent errors or oversight. In this form of plagiarism, individuals may genuinely lack awareness of the proper way to cite sources or mistakenly fail to give credit to the original authors, resulting in unintentional misrepresentation of the borrowed content as their own.

Unintentional plagiarism can occur in various ways, such as careless paraphrasing that closely resembles the original text without proper citation, forgetting to include in-text citations or footnotes when referencing sources, or misunderstanding the rules of citation and attribution. In some cases, individuals might not be fully aware of the importance of acknowledging sources or may overlook the need to provide appropriate credit.

While unintentional plagiarism may not involve a conscious intent to deceive, it is still considered a serious academic and ethical offense. Educational institutions and publishers often emphasize the importance of proper citation and provide guidelines to help individuals avoid unintentional plagiarism. Encouraging a culture of academic integrity and providing resources for accurate citation practices can significantly reduce instances of unintentional plagiarism and foster a community that values honest and responsible scholarship.

Reasons for Plagiarism

Plagiarism can occur for various reasons, often driven by individual circumstances, academic pressures, or personal motivations. Some common reasons for plagiarism include:

• Time Constraints and Workload: One of the most common reasons for plagiarism_is the pressure of tight deadlines and a heavy workload. Students and writers may have multiple assignments, projects, or tasks to complete within a short time, leaving them with limited time for proper research and original writing. As a result, some individuals may resort to plagiarism as a way to save time and meet their submission deadlines.
• Academic Pressure and Performance: The fear of academic failure or the desire to maintain high grades can push students to engage in_plagiarism. In competitive educational environments, where success is often measured by grades and achievements, some individuals may feel compelled to plagiarize to achieve better results and stand out from their peers.
• Inadequate Research Skills: Insufficient research skills can lead to accidental plagiarism. If individuals struggle to find relevant sources or fail to comprehend the content they are reading, they might inadvertently copy ideas without proper attribution or understanding the need to cite the sources.
• Lack of Confidence: Some individuals lack confidence in their writing abilities or worry that their ideas may not be good enough. As a result, they may choose to plagiarize to avoid expressing their own thoughts or opinions, fearing criticism or judgment from others.
• Unfamiliarity with Citation Rules: Many students and writers may not be familiar with the specific citation and referencing styles required in academic or professional writing. Ignorance of these rules can lead to unintentional plagiarism when individuals fail to give proper credit to the original sources they use.
• Cultural Differences: International students or writers from different academic backgrounds might have varying views on plagiarism due to cultural norms and educational practices. In some cultures, the emphasis on individual expression and originality may differ, leading to inadvertent instances of plagiarism when cultural norms clash with academic expectations.
• Pressure to Succeed: In highly competitive academic or professional environments, the pressure to succeed can be immense. The desire to gain recognition, secure scholarships, or advance in a career may tempt some individuals to resort to unethical practices like plagiarism to achieve their goals.
• Easy Access to Online Content: The internet provides easy access to vast amounts of information, including articles, essays, and research papers. While this convenience is beneficial for research, it also increases the risk of plagiarism when individuals copy and paste content without proper citation.
• Lack of Consequences: If educational institutions or workplaces do not strictly enforce consequences for plagiarism, some individuals may be more inclined to engage in dishonest practices, believing they can get away with it without facing any serious repercussions.
• Laziness or Apathy: In some cases, individuals may simply choose to plagiarize out of laziness or apathy toward academic integrity. They may not fully grasp the importance of originality or may believe that plagiarism is an acceptable shortcut to completing their assignments.

Addressing these reasons for plagiarism_requires a multi-faceted approach. Educational institutions should emphasize the significance of academic integrity and provide resources to improve research and citation skills. Encouraging open discussions about plagiarism and its consequences can help raise awareness among students and writers. Furthermore, promoting a supportive and nurturing learning environment, where students feel confident in expressing their ideas, can also reduce the temptation to plagiarize. Ultimately, fostering a culture that values originality, critical thinking, and ethical writing practices is essential in combating_plagiarism and upholding academic integrity.

Plagiarism Prevention Strategies

Preventing plagiarism_is essential to uphold academic integrity and foster a culture of ethical scholarship. Educational institutions and individuals can implement various strategies to deter and address plagiarism effectively. Here are some plagiarism prevention strategies:

• Educate and Raise Awareness: Educators should conduct comprehensive sessions on plagiarism, discussing its various forms, consequences, and real-life examples. Emphasize the value of academic integrity and the role it plays in intellectual growth and credibility. Use case studies and interactive exercises to ensure students grasp the concepts fully.
• Teach Research and Writing Skills: Offer guidance on effective research methods, including how to find credible sources, evaluate information, and avoid accidental_plagiarism. Provide writing workshops that cover paraphrasing, summarizing, and citation styles to help students develop their writing abilities.
• Set Clear Expectations: Clearly outline the institution’s policies on plagiarism in the syllabus and class materials. Specify the consequences of academic dishonesty, including potential academic penalties and damage to a student’s reputation.
• Use Plagiarism Detection Software: Incorporate plagiarism_detection tools into the submission process for assignments and papers. Highlight the use of these tools as a means to ensure academic integrity and discourage dishonest practices.
• Encourage Individuality and Creativity: Design assignments that encourage critical thinking and creative expression. Task students with exploring unique perspectives and developing original ideas, reducing the incentive to plagiarize existing material.
• Break Down Assignments: Divide complex assignments into manageable parts with separate deadlines. This approach fosters better time management, reducing the likelihood of students resorting to plagiarism due to last-minute rush.
• Use Authentic Assessments: Diversify assessment methods beyond traditional exams and essays. Consider oral presentations, group projects, or problem-solving activities that require individual understanding and application of knowledge.
• Require Drafts and Progress Reports: Request intermediate drafts or progress reports for larger projects. This allows educators to provide timely feedback and detect potential instances of plagiarism at an early stage.
• Promote Peer Review: Encourage students to review and critique each other’s work. This peer feedback process cultivates a sense of responsibility and accountability, as students actively engage in assessing the originality and validity of their peers’ work.
• Provide Proper Citations and Examples: Offer clear guidelines on citation styles commonly used in academic writing, along with examples that demonstrate proper citation formats. This helps students understand how to give credit to original sources effectively.
• Address Cultural Differences: Recognize that students from diverse cultural backgrounds may have varying perceptions of plagiarism. Explain the expectations of academic integrity and the specific citation rules relevant to your institution to foster understanding.

By combining these strategies, educators, and institutions can create an academic environment that promotes a genuine commitment to academic integrity, nurtures originality, and discourages the act of plagiarism. Regular reinforcement of these principles and continuous support for students in developing their research and writing skills will lead to a stronger foundation of ethical scholarship in higher education.

Reference Article:

1. Richa, T. (2016). Awareness about plagiarism among research scholars in selected universities in Chennai an investigative study. Retrieved from: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/151904