Plagiarism and Academic Integrity | ThAct

Hello, this thinking activity is part of the third unit of the Research Methodology paper, titled "Plagiarism and Academic Integrity." It has been assigned by our teacher, Prakruti Ma'am.

Explain the term Plagiarism and discuss its forms.

Plagiarism is derived from the Latin word “Plagiarius” meaning “kidnapper”. Plagiarism means stealing or copying another’s work and representing it as own work. On Internet, everything is available for free. We can share, upload, download, view, or search any text, audio, and video. Everything is there for free. The availability of anything and everything on the internet has made our lives easier but people make misuse of this advantage of the internet by representing other’s work as their own for fame, for academic benefits, for money, for personal interests, etc.

Plagiarism is most commonly practiced in academics and researches. On the internet, we have all kinds of literary articles, educational content, research papers, etc available for free. This facilitates everyone and assists them in gaining knowledge and becoming literate. Earlier when there were no Internet people either had to visit libraries when they wanted to study or know anything or had to purchase expensive books. But now we just type the topic in our browser and we get thousands of search results.

Many people think of plagiarism as copying another's work or borrowing someone else's original ideas. But terms like "copying" and "borrowing" can disguise the seriousness of the offense:

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to "plagiarize" means:

• to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
• to use (another's production) without crediting the source
• to commit literary theft
• to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward.

But can words and ideas really be stolen?

According to U.S. law, the answer is yes. The expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression fall under copyright protection as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or a computer file).

All of the following are considered plagiarism:

• 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

Most cases of plagiarism can be avoided, however, by citing sources. Simply acknowledging that certain material has been borrowed and providing your audience with the information necessary to find that source is usually enough to prevent plagiarism.

Forms of Plagiarism

1. Direct Plagiarism: This is the most blatant form, where one copies someone else’s work verbatim without any form of attribution or quotation marks.
2. Self-Plagiarism: This occurs when an individual reuses their own previously published work without proper citation.
3. Mosaic Plagiarism: Also known as patchwriting, this involves taking phrases or sentences from a source and combining them with their own work, without proper citation.
4. Paraphrasing Plagiarism: This happens when someone rewords or rephrases someone else’s ideas but fails to cite the original source.
5. Accidental Plagiarism: Sometimes plagiarism occurs due to negligence or lack of understanding. Students may forget to cite a source or might not understand the importance of paraphrasing correctly.

The Importance of Academic Integrity:

What is Academic Integrity?

Academic integrity refers to the ethical standards and honesty in scholarly work. It involves maintaining honesty in research, assignments, and examinations, and giving proper credit to others' work.

Why is Academic Integrity Necessary?

• Trust and Credibility: Academic integrity fosters trust and credibility within the academic community. It ensures that the work produced is genuine and reliable.

• Fairness: It promotes fairness by ensuring that all students and researchers are evaluated based on their own work and merit.

• Intellectual Growth: Upholding academic integrity encourages intellectual growth and the development of original ideas.

• Reputation: Institutions and individuals who maintain academic integrity build a strong reputation for honesty and ethical behavior.

in my opinion., Academic integrity is really important because it helps keep things fair for everyone. Imagine if you worked really hard on a project or exam, only to find out someone else cheated and got the same grade. That wouldn't feel fair, right? It would make you question whether hard work even matters. So, when students do their own work honestly, it ensures that everyone is being judged fairly based on their own abilities, and no one gets an unfair advantage.

Trust is another big part of academic integrity. If teachers and students can’t trust that the work being presented is honest, then the whole purpose of learning and grading is lost. It would be like playing a game without clear rules or knowing that some players are cheating it ruins the experience for everyone. When there’s trust, everyone knows that they’re being treated fairly, and the value of what they’re learning becomes real.

On a personal level, academic integrity helps you grow. Sure, it might feel easier to copy someone else's work or to cheat on a test, but in the end, you’re only robbing yourself of the chance to learn. When you do your own work, even if it’s difficult, you actually understand the subject more deeply and build skills that are useful later in life. The things you learn while staying true to yourself can help you succeed in ways that just getting a good grade won’t.

Then, there’s the whole idea of ethics being honest and respecting other people’s ideas. When you plagiarize or cheat, you’re not just hurting yourself; you’re disrespecting others who put in the time and effort to create something original. If we all act with integrity, it encourages a culture of respect and mutual support, which is what any good community is built on.

In the long run, cheating might seem like an easy fix, but it often leads to problems later on. Getting caught for dishonesty can lead to a failed class, disciplinary actions, or even expulsion. And that can have lasting consequences on your academic and professional future. So, staying honest really saves you from unnecessary trouble.

Finally, practicing academic integrity prepares you for the real world. In any job or career, being honest and ethical is crucial. People need to trust you, and if you’ve learned how to act with integrity in school, that attitude will carry over into your career and personal life. It’s not just about following rules; it’s about becoming someone people can rely on, someone who earns success through hard work and honesty.

In the end, 

academic integrity isn't just about grades it’s about learning, growing, and building a future based on trust, respect, and hard work.

Thank You!!