Is Citing a Source Still Plagiarism?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of plagiarism, particularly in the context of citing sources, paraphrasing, and the use of direct quotes in academic writing. Participants explore varying interpretations of what constitutes plagiarism and the rules surrounding citation practices across different academic disciplines.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern that citing a source while paraphrasing could still be considered plagiarism, even if the wording is changed.
  • Others argue that paraphrasing with proper citation is acceptable and not plagiarism, citing personal experiences with academic requirements.
  • A participant mentions that different academic disciplines may have varying rules regarding quoting and paraphrasing, questioning the consistency of plagiarism definitions across fields.
  • One participant references legal definitions of plagiarism, suggesting that it is not solely about direct duplication but also about the unfair use of another's work.
  • Concerns are raised about the existence of citation standards (like APA and MLA) if the practices they govern are considered illegal.
  • Another participant suggests that as long as proper attribution is given, using ideas or quotes from sources should not be considered plagiarism.
  • A hypothetical scenario is presented regarding the use of an article as a backup for claims made in an essay, with a participant affirming that this method would not be considered plagiarism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definition of plagiarism, with multiple competing views remaining regarding the acceptability of paraphrasing and citation practices.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific citation formats and academic requirements, indicating that practices may vary significantly depending on the discipline and context of the writing.

Monique
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http://www.csubak.edu/ssric/Modules/Other/plagiarism.htm

That is kind of scary, I never realized that taking a sentence out of a publication while citing the source is still plagiarism.. even when you change the wording!
 
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I never realized that taking a sentence out of a publication while citing the source is still plagiarism
Nonsense, must be a personal view.

even when you change the wording!
Well that would be plagiarism. You can't change anything, even if they misspell a word or use improper punctuation.
 
Greg - Actually I completely disagree. I have written many many papers for professors. Some of the requirements was that we not use direct quotes, but paraphrase them, however still citing it within the text.
 
I have written many many papers for professors. Some of the requirements was that we not use direct quotes

Interesting, what classes? Maybe different areas of study have different rules.
 
Originally posted by Greg Bernhardt
Interesting, what classes? Maybe different areas of study have different rules.

All sorts of classes. Different areas of study. Since plagarism is a legal term, I wouldn't imagine different areas of study having different laws?
 
When we write paper for some course in microbio we have to apply the journal of Bacteriology format or some other journal format. Its ask that we do not directly quote the author and that we should paraphrase and change some of the wording.
 
As I understand it, if you lift a quote from another source, you have to quote and/or attribute it; simply listing the source at the end isn't enough. Paraphrases are the same way. The example they use is bad I think -- that idea is very common, and not obviously a ripoff.
 
All my papers needed to be in either APA or MLA format. Both have major sections for dealing with direct quotes. Why would they create standards for something that is considered illegal? Maybe I am missing something?

Are you guys telling me this is plagarism?
"Some really neat quote" (Author, Page#)
 
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Plagiarism
The act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.
To be liable for plagiarism it is not necessary to exactly duplicate another’s literary work, it being sufficient if unfair use of such work is made by lifting of substantial portion thereof, but even an exact counterpart of another’s work does not constitute plagiarism if such counterpart was arrived at independently. O’Rourke v. RKO Radio Pictures, D.C. Mass,, 44 F.Supp. 480, 482, 483.
See also Fair use doctrine.

Fair use doctrine
“Fair use” is privilege in other than owner of copyright to use copyrighted material in reasonable manner without consent, notwithstanding monopoly granted to the owner. Meeropol v. Nizer, Copyright Act sets forth factors to be considered in determining whether the use made in any particular case is “fair use.”

I ‘lifted’ this, tehehe, from;
Black’s Law Dictionary, fifth edition
(This dictionary is, I am fairly certain, the current official ‘rag’ used today in the US)

Let ‘em sue me if they want to
 
  • #10
Originally posted by Greg Bernhardt
All my papers needed to be in either APA or MLA format. Both have major sections for dealing with direct quotes. Why would they create standards for something that is considered illegal? Maybe I am missing something?

Are you guys telling me this is plagarism?
"Some really neat quote" (Author, Page#)
No, 'cause you attributed it. If you left out the quote marks and cite there, and just included that author's work in your bibliography, that would be plagiarism...
 
  • #11
If you paraphrase, borrow an idea, use a quote, etc..., stick where you paraphrased from at the end of the sentence and you're not plagiarising.

If you pass of the idea or words as your own, you are.
 
  • #12
So this is ok?
 
  • #13
Lets say I was writing an essay. In my essay I don't actually quote article anywhere, however I use an article as backup for what I'm saying. Is this format alright?

eg. The alleged cover up by the Chinese Government of the SARS outbreak, due to a fear of economic repurcussions(1)[/color], has implications for future disease control...

And in the reference list I have:

(1)- Debora Mackenzie, New Scientist, Volume 178, Number 2390, April 12th 2003, "Powerless to stop the spread", pp 6-7.
 
  • #14
Paulyman
It is one way do it. As far as I know it will not be consider plagairism.
 
  • #15
Cool. I like that method cause it means the actual essay is unclutered.
 

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