Plagiarism: definition, types and consequences

In today’s information society, where access to knowledge and creative works has become unprecedentedly easy, the problem of plagiarism is becoming more and more relevant. Plagiarism, i.e. misappropriation of another’s intellectual property, is a serious violation of academic ethics, professional standards and copyright. It undermines the credibility of education, science, journalism and the arts, devalues intellectual labour and impedes the development of society.

Unfortunately, many people underestimate the seriousness of plagiarism, considering it a minor misdemeanour or not even realising that their actions constitute an offence. That is why it is important to clearly understand what plagiarism is, what types of plagiarism exist, and what consequences it can have.

This article is designed to shed light on the problem of plagiarism. We will examine this phenomenon in detail, reveal its essence, analyse its various forms and discuss the negative impact of plagiarism on various spheres of our lives. In addition, we will provide practical advice on how to avoid plagiarism in your own work and adhere to the principles of academic integrity.

Understanding the essence of plagiarism and its consequences is the first step to overcoming it. Therefore, we invite you to take a detailed look at this important topic.

Section 1: What is plagiarism?

Before talking about the types of plagiarism and its consequences, it is necessary to clearly define what exactly lies behind this term. After all, not any use of other people’s materials is plagiarism. There is a fine line between borrowing ideas and appropriating them, between quoting and copying.

In this section, we will clarify the essence of the concept ofplagiarism, drawing on legislation and authoritative sources. We will also briefly review the history of the phenomenon in order to better understand its origins and evolution.

Understanding what plagiarism is from a legal and ethical point of view is fundamental for further consideration of this problem. Therefore, let us begin with definitions.

Subsection 1.1: Definition of plagiarism

What is plagiarism from a legal point of view? According to Article 50 of the Law of Ukraine “On Copyright and Related Rights”, plagiarism is “publication (publication), in whole or in part, of another person’s work under the name of a person who is not the author of this work”.

This definition covers both verbatim copying of someone else’s text and appropriation of someone else’s ideas, research results, artistic solutions, etc., if they are the result of creative labour and expressed in an objective form.

In addition to the legislative definition, there is also a broader interpretation of plagiarism, which is used in academic and professional environments. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary defines plagiarism as “the practice of appropriating another’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own”.

Key Signs of Plagiarism:

• Appropriation of another person’s work or part of it: This means that a person impersonates the author of something that is actually created by another person.
• Failure to properly attribute authorship: Even if only a part of the work is used rather than the whole work, the true author and the source of the borrowing must be clearly identified.
• Impersonation of another’s work: This can occur either by direct copying or by paraphrasing or compiling other people’s material without proper attribution.

It is important to understand:

• Plagiarism is not just copying a text. It is also the appropriation of other people’s ideas, concepts, research results, artistic solutions, if they are original and the result of creative labour.
• Even if you change a few words in someone else’s text, this does not make it your own work. If the basic idea and structure remain the same, it can still be considered plagiarism.

So, plagiarism is a serious violation of copyright law and academic ethics, which consists of appropriating someone else’s intellectual property and passing it off as one’s own.

Subsection 1.2: History of the concept of plagiarism

Although the problem of plagiarism seems particularly relevant today, in the age of the Internet and easy access to information, the phenomenon actually has a long history.

The word“plagiarism” comes from the Latin “plagium”, meaning “kidnapping”. In ancient Rome, the term was applied to the theft of slaves or other people’s children. Interestingly, the Roman poet Marcial first used the word in a literary context in the first century AD, accusing another poet of “stealing” his poems.

Throughout the centuries, attitudes towards borrowing and imitation in literature and art have varied. In the Middle Ages, for example, the copying and distribution of texts was often anonymous, and authorship was not always important. With the development of printing in the fifteenth century and the gradual emergence of the concept of copyright, the situation began to change.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the establishment of Romanticism’s ideas about the originality and genius of the author, plagiarism began to be perceived as a serious misdemeanour. The first copyright laws appeared, which secured for authors the rights to their works and prohibited illegal copying and distribution.

In the 20th century, with the development of mass media and the emergence of new technologies, the problem of plagiarism became even more urgent. New forms of plagiarism related to copying music, films and software have emerged.

Today, in the digital and Internet age, plagiarism has taken on unprecedented proportions. The ease with which information can be copied and disseminated creates new challenges to copyright protection and academic integrity.

Understanding the history of plagiarism helps to better understand the contemporary context of this problem and the challenges it poses to society.

Section 2: Types of plagiarism

We have already established what plagiarism is in theoretical terms, both legally and ethically. Now it is time to consider this phenomenon more practically and to understand in what specific forms it can manifest itself.

Plagiarism is not always an obvious and direct copying of someone else’s text. There are different types of plagiarism, which differ in their severity and the way in which they misappropriate someone else’s intellectual property.

In this section we will look in detail at the main types of plagiarism: from verbatim copying to its more sophisticated forms, such as paraphrase and mosaic plagiarism. We will also talk about the controversial phenomenon of self-plagiarism.

Understanding the different types of plagiarism will help you not only to recognise it in other people’s work, but also to avoid it in your own work.

Subsection 2.1: Verbatim plagiarism

The most obvious and perhaps the most common type of plagiarism is verbatim plagiarism. What is it? Word-for-wordplagiarism is copying someone else’s text word for word, sentence for sentence, without any changes, and without identifying the author of the original work or the source of the borrowing.

This type of plagiarism is the easiest to detect because it is a direct and immediate violation of copyright. Verbatim copying is unacceptable in any case, regardless of the length of the borrowed text, whether it is an entire work or just a few sentences.

Examples of verbatim plagiarism:

• Copying text from a book, article, website, or any other source without modification and without identifying the author and source. For example, a student may copy a section from a textbook into his or her term paper without identifying where the text was taken from.
• Using fragments of text found on the Internet in your own work, pretending to be your own thoughts and ideas. For example, a student may find ready-made answers to homework questions on the Internet and simply copy them into his or her notebook without identifying the source.
• Copying someone else’s research paper or part of it verbatim and publishing it under one‘ s own name. This is considered one of the most serious violations of academic ethics.

How to avoid verbatim plagiarism?

• Always use inverted commas for direct quotations.
• Be sure to include the author and source after each quotation.
• Do not overuse quotations; quotations should be appropriate and used only to support your own thoughts and ideas.
• If you need to convey the content of someone else’s work in your own words, use paraphrase, but do not forget to cite the source.

Verbatim plagiarism is a gross violation of copyright and academic ethics. Avoid it at all costs by always citing sources of borrowed information and using your own words and ideas in your papers.

Subsection 2.2: Paraphrase is the rendering of another’s thought in one’s own words

Paraphrase is the rendering of someone else’s thought in one’s own words, with a change in sentence structure and the use of synonyms. Paraphrase itself is notplagiarism , but it can become plagiarism if certain conditions are not met.

When does a paraphrase become plagiarism?

• No source citation: Even if you paraphrase someone else’s text in your own words, you are still required to cite the author of the original work and the source from which you took the information.
• Overuse of original text: If your paraphrase is too close to the original text and differs only by a few substituted words, it can also be considered plagiarism.
• Misunderstanding the original text: If you misunderstand or distort the meaning of the original text when paraphrasing, this can also be considered an offence.

How to make a successful paraphrase that will not be considered plagiarism?

1. Read the original text several times to fully understand its meaning.
2. Close the original text and try to retell it in your own words without looking at the source.
3. Change the sentence structure and use synonyms for words from the original text.
4. Check whether your paraphrase matches the content of the original text.
5. Be sure to cite the author and the source of the information.

Example of a successful and unsuccessful paraphrase:

Original text: ” Copyright is a form of protection granted by law to authors of original works, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other types of intellectual property.”

Unfortunate paraphrase (plagiarism): Copyright is the protection granted by law to authors of original works, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. (No source citation, sentence structure and most words from the original have been retained).

A successful paraphrase: Legislation protects the rights of authors for original works created by them in various spheres, such as literature, music and art (Petrenko, 2023). (The sentence structure has been changed, synonyms have been used, and there is a reference to the author).

Remember: Paraphrase is not just replacing a few words in a sentence. It is a full-fledged rethinking of someone else’s thought and expressing it in your own words with the obligatory indication of the source.

Subsection 2.3: Mosaic plagiarism

Mosaic plagiarism, also called “patchwork” or “compilation” plagiarism, is one of the most insidious types of plagiarism. It consists of borrowing fragments of text from different sources and combining them in your own work, sometimes with minor changes, without proper citation and referencing.

How does mosaic plagiarism differ from verbatim plagiarism?

Unlike verbatim plagiarism, where the text is copied without alteration, mosaic plagiarism may include some paraphrasing and changes in sentence structure. However, it is still plagiarism because ideas and text fragments are borrowed from other sources without proper acknowledgement of authorship.

How to recognise mosaic plagiarism?

• Diversity of text: Because text fragments are taken from different sources, the writing style may vary dramatically from paragraph to paragraph.
• Lack of logical connection between passages: Combining different parts of the text can lead to a lack of logical flow and a lack of smooth transitions between ideas.
• Out of context passages: Individual sentences or phrases may seem out of place or unrelated to the rest of the text.

Example of Mosaic Plagiarism

Imagine that a student is writing an essay on the impact of social media on young people. He finds several articles on this topic and, instead of formulating his own thoughts, copies individual sentences and paragraphs from these articles, slightly changing the word order and adding some connecting phrases. The result is a text that looks like an original work, but is actually a compilation of other people’s ideas and formulations, without proper references to the sources.

Why is mosaic plagiarism unacceptable?

• It is a form of intellectual theft because it appropriates someone else’s ideas and work results.
• It undermines the credibility of the author and his/her work.
• It hinders the development of one’s own critical thinking and the ability to formulate thoughts independently.

How to avoid mosaic plagiarism?

• Thoroughly summarise sources: Write down not only the main ideas, but also the exact quotations you plan to use in the future, making sure to include the author and source.
• Use your own words and sentence structure: Do not just rearrange words in other people’s sentences, but try to completely rethink the information and put it in your own words.
• Make clear references to all sources from which you take information, even if you do not quote them verbatim.
• Use plagiarismcheckers to ensure that your work is original.

Mosaic plagiarism is a serious offence that should be avoided. Careful outlining, proper citation and referencing, and developing your independent writing skills will help you produce original work and academic integrity.

Subsection 2.4: Self-plagiarism

At first glance, the phrase“self-plagiarism” may seem like an oxymoron. How can one steal something from oneself? Nevertheless, this phenomenon exists and is also considered a form of academic malpractice.

Self-plagiarism is the reuse of one’s own previously published work or parts of it in new publications without properly citing the original source. In other words, it is passing off old material as new.

When does self-plagiarismoccur ?

• Republishing an article in another journal without indicating that it has been previously published.
• Using significant portions of your own thesis in a new article without proper citation.
• Submitting the same work to different competitions or conferences.
• Incorporating large parts from your own previously published book into a new book without proper citations.

Why is self-plagiarism a problem?

• It misleads readers: Readers perceive material as new and original, when in fact it has been published before.
• It creates a false perception of the author’s productivity: Reusing old work can create the illusion that the author is more productive than he or she really is.
• It violates agreements with publishers: Many publishers require authors to publish only original work, and republishing may be considered a breach of contract.
• It hinders the development of science: Science is based on the principle of building knowledge, and self-plagiarism creates the illusion of new discoveries where none exist.

How to avoid self-plagiarism?

• Always make it clear that you are using material from your previous work. Make appropriate references to the original source, even if you are the sole author.
• If you want to reuse a significant portion of your work, get permission from the publisher who published the original material.
• Focus on creating new and original content rather than reworking old material.

Self-plagiarism is a complex issue, and it’s not always easy to determine where the line between acceptable self-citation and unacceptable reuse lies. However, a general rule of thumb is to be as transparent as possible and always cite the sources of your material, even if it is your own previous work.

Section 3: Areas where plagiarism is most common

Plagiarism is a phenomenon that, unfortunately, is not limited to any one field of endeavour. It can occur everywhere where intellectual products are created and used. Nevertheless, there are certain areas where the problem of plagiarism is particularly acute and has the most tangible consequences.

In this section we will consider those spheres of human activity where plagiarism occurs most often. We will talk about education, science, journalism, literature and art, consider the peculiarities ofplagiarism manifestation in each of these areas and discuss its destructive impact on these spheres.

Understanding where and how plagiarismmost often occurs will help us to be more careful and responsible in our activities, as well as contribute to the formation of a culture of intellectual honesty in society.

Subsection 3.1: Education

One of the spheres where plagiarism has become alarmingly widespread is education. Moreover, this phenomenon is faced at all levels of the educational process: from school to graduate school.

Among students and pupils:

• Copying homework: The most common type of plagiarism at school and university. Pupils and students often download ready-made essays, essays and other written work from the Internet or copy them from each other.
• Cheating on exams and test papers: Using cheat sheets, mobile phones and other means to gain an unfair advantage is also a form of plagiarism.
• Unattributed citations in term papers and theses: Students may use fragments of text from various sources without proper citation and referencing, passing them off as their own thoughts.

Among teachers and scholars:

• Misappropriation of ideas and research results of students or colleagues: It is not uncommon for professors to use the work of their undergraduate or graduate students in their own publications without indicating their co-authorship.
• Publication of articles with a high percentage of borrowings from other sources: Some scholars misuse citations and borrowings of other texts, passing them off as their own research.
• Submitting the same article to different scientific journals (self-plagiarism).

Consequences of plagiarism in education:

• Decrease in the quality of education: Plagiarism hinders the development of critical thinking, the ability to analyse information independently and formulate one’s own thoughts.
• Impairment of knowledge and scientific achievements: If plagiarism becomes the norm, it undermines the credibility of the entire system of education and science.
• Formation of negative moral qualities: Plagiarism fosters habits of dishonesty and disregard for intellectual property in students and pupils.

Combating plagiarism in education is an extremely important task. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes both educational work among students and teachers and the use of special programmes to check papers for borrowings.

Subsection 3.2: Science

Plagiarism in science is a particularly dangerous phenomenon, because it undermines the foundations of scientific knowledge based on the principles of objectivity, reliability and novelty. Scientific research should be based on previous achievements, but with the mandatory recognition of authorship and making their own contribution to the development of science.

Manifestations of plagiarism in science:

• Misappropriation of other people’s ideas and hypotheses: Publishing other people’s scientific ideas as one’s own without proper citation of the source.
• Copying of research results: Full or partial copying of experimental data, statistical calculations or other research results of other authors.
• Misuse of text from scientific articles, monographs, dissertations: Verbatim copying or not properly paraphrasing text fragments from other people’s scientific works.
• Falsification and fabrication of data: The deliberate distortion or fabrication of research results in order to support a particular hypothesis.
• Self-plagiarism: Republishing one’s own scientific articles without citing the original source or using significant portions of one’s own previously published work in new publications without proper citation.

Consequences of plagiarism in science:

• Undermining the credibility of scientific results: Plagiarism calls into question the validity and objectivity of scientific research.
• Distortion of scientific knowledge: Inappropriate borrowing of other people’s ideas and results leads to the dissemination of false or unverified information.
• Inhibiting scientific progress: Instead of generating new ideas and conducting original research, scientists who plagiarise are wasting time and resources.
• Damage to the reputation of scientists and scientific institutions: Detection of plagiarism can cause irreparable damage to the reputation of both individual scientists and the scientific institutions in which they work.

Combating plagiarism in science is one of the most important tasks of the scientific community. Various methods are used to do so, including careful peer review of scientific articles before publication, the use of plagiarism-checking software, and teaching young scientists respect for intellectual property and academic integrity.

Subsection 3.3: Journalism

Journalism, designed to inform society about events and facts, is based on the principles of objectivity, credibility and impartiality. Plagiarism in journalism undermines these fundamental principles and is a gross violation of professional ethics.

How does plagiarism in journalismmanifest itself?

• Copying news reports from other media without identifying the source: This can be either verbatim copying of entire news items or the use of individual text fragments without proper formatting.
• Using other authors’ articles or parts of them under one’s own name: Some journalists may take credit for analyses, reports or interviews written by other authors.
• Paraphrasing other people’s material without changing its essence and without referring to the original source: Mere paraphrasing does not make a text original, as long as its main idea and structure are preserved.
• Using other people’s photos, video or audio materials without authorisation or attribution: This is a violation not only of journalistic ethics but also of copyright law.
• Misappropriation of exclusive information obtained by another journalist: For example, using information obtained through investigative journalism without citing the original source.

Consequences of plagiarism in journalism:

• Loss of audience trust: Plagiarism undermines the trust of readers, viewers and listeners in the media.
• Deterioration of journalistic quality: Copying the work of others does not favour the creation of quality and original content.
• Damage to journalistic and media reputation: Exposing a journalist to plagiarism can lead to his or her dismissal, as well as damage the reputation of the media outlet for which he or she works.
• Legal implications: In some cases, plagiarism in journalism can lead to lawsuits for copyright infringement.

Combating plagiarism in journalism is an important task for both journalists themselves and media editorial offices. Adherence to professional standards, careful verification of information and respect for copyright are the main principles that will help to avoid plagiarism and maintain the trust of the audience.

Subsection 3.4: Literature and the Arts

The field of literature and art, which values originality, creativity and uniqueness of author’s vision, is also not free from plagiarism. The appropriation of other people’s ideas, plots, images or style is a serious violation of ethical norms and copyright.

Manifestations of plagiarism in literature and art:

• Literature:
  • Copying texts by other authors: This can be either a complete copying of a work or the use of significant parts of it without modification and without attribution.
  • Misappropriation of plotsand ideas: Even if the text is written in one’s own words, but the plot, characters and main ideas are borrowed from another work without proper citation, this is also considered plagiarism.
  • Translating foreign works and publishing them under one’s own name: This is a gross violation not only of copyright but also of the translator’s rights.
• Music:
  • Copying melodies, harmonies, rhythmic patterns: Using recognisable musical fragments from other works without permission of the author and without indicating the source.
  • Appropriation of arrangements: Using someone else’s arrangement of a musical work without the author’s permission.
  • Sampling without licence: Using recorded sounds from other works without obtaining permission.
• Fine Art:
  • Copying paintings, sculptures, photographs: Making copies of existing works of art and passing them off as one’s own.
  • Misappropriation of another artist’s style or technique: Imitating another artist’s style, composition or colour scheme in order to impersonate their work.
  • Using other people’s images as the basis for your own work without the author’s permission: For example, creating collages using fragments of other people’s paintings or photographs.

Consequences of plagiarism in literature and art:

• Damage to an author’s reputation: Exposure to plagiarism can permanently ruin the career of a writer, artist or musician.
• Loss of credibility with fans and critics: Plagiarism undermines the credibility of an author’s work and calls into question his or her talent and originality.
• Legal consequences: Authors whose rights have been violated may seek legal action to protect their rights and seek damages.
• Impairment of art: Plagiarism reduces the general level of culture and hinders the development of original art.

Combating plagiarism in literature and art is a complex task that requires not only legal measures, but also educating artists to respect intellectual property and understand the value of original work.

Section 4: Consequences of plagiarism

Plagiarism is not just an ethical transgression, but a serious offence that can have far-reaching consequences for the offender. These consequences can vary depending on the area in which theplagiarism occurred , the severity of the offence and the position taken by the affected party.

In this section we will look at the main consequences of plagiarism, which can be faced by a person who has resorted to appropriating someone else’s intellectual property. We will talk about academic sanctions, reputational damage and legal liability so that you have a full understanding of what can happen if you neglect another person’s copyright.

Understanding the possible consequences of plagiarism is important not only for those who potentially commit it, but also for those who seek to protect their rights from wrongful infringement.

Subsection 4.1: Academic Consequences

Some of the most tangible can be the academic consequences of plagiarism. Institutions, from schools to universities, have strict rules of academic integrity and various sanctions for violating them.

What are the academic sanctions for plagiarism?

• Failure to credit work: The most common punishment for plagiarism in schools and universities. A student or learner who has plagiarised work will receive a failing grade for the written work (essay, abstract, term paper, etc.).
• Redoing the work: In some cases, the student may be given the opportunity to redo the work, correcting all identified deficiencies and formatting it properly.
• Warning or reprimand: For less serious offences, a student may be given a warning or reprimand.
• Expulsion from the institution: In the case of systematic or gross plagiarism, as well as other disciplinary offences, the student may be expelled from the institution.
• Degree cancellation: If plagiarism is found in a dissertation, it may result in the cancellation of the degree awarded.

Consequences for teachers and scholars:

• Disciplinary action: Teachers and scholars found guilty of plagiarism may be reprimanded, have their awards revoked, or even be dismissed from their jobs.
• Reputational Damage: Plagiarism can cause irreparable damage to a person’s academic reputation and undermine the credibility of colleagues and the scientific community.
• Problems with publication: Academic journals scrutinise articles for plagiarism, and if plagiarism is found, the article will be rejected.

Important to understand:

• Academic sanctions for plagiarism can have long-term consequences for a student’s, teacher’s, or scholar’s career.
• Even a seemingly minor instance of plagiarism can lead to serious problems.
• Ignorance of the rules of citation does not exempt from responsibility for plagiarism.

It is therefore very important to observe academic integrity, carefully format all borrowings, and always cite sources.

Subsection 4.2: Reputational Consequences

In addition to academic sanctions, plagiarism can have serious reputational consequences that extend far beyond the boundaries of the institution or academic establishment. In today’s world, where information spreads instantly and image plays an important role, damage to reputation can be a decisive factor in one’s career and personal life.

How canplagiarism damage reputation?

• Loss of credibility: Plagiarism undermines a person’s credibility with colleagues, partners, clients and society at large. A person found to have plagiarised is perceived as dishonest, untrustworthy and not worthy of respect.
• The “plagiariser” label: Today, information about cases of plagiarism spreads quickly over the Internet and can be stored there for years. This means that a reputation stain can follow a person throughout his or her life, making it difficult to find a job, build a career and make business contacts.
• Negative impact on career development: Many employers screen candidates for plagiarism in their curriculum vitae. The discovery of such facts may lead to refusal of employment or dismissal.
• Harm to professional image: In some professions, such as journalism, science, literature, reputation is a key asset. Plagiarism can completely destroy a person’s professional image and jeopardise their future career.
• Psychological discomfort: Being exposed for plagiarism can cause a person to feel shame, guilt, fear and anxiety. This can lead to stress, depression and other psychological problems.

Important to understand:

• The reputational consequences of plagiarism can be even more devastating than legal or academic sanctions.
• It is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to repair a damaged reputation.
• Honesty and intellectual integrity are the foundation upon which trust and respect are built in any field of endeavour.

This is why it is so important to be ethical from the outset of your professional life, to respect intellectual property and to avoid any appearance of plagiarism.

Subsection 4.3: Legal Consequences

Besides academic and reputational sanctions, plagiarism can also have serious legal consequences. As we have already learnt, plagiarism is not only a violation of ethical norms, but also an infringement of someone else’s copyright, which is protected by law.

What legal consequences can occur for plagiarism?

• • Civil liability: The author of a work whose rights have been infringed may file a lawsuit to protect his or her copyright. In this case, the court may order the infringer to:
    • Stop the illegal use of the work.
    • Remove the illegally posted content.
    • Pay the author monetary compensation for damages.
    • Compensate for non-pecuniary damage.
    • Publish a court decision on copyrightinfringement .
  • Administrative liability: In some cases ,plagiarism of may result in administrative liability. For example, the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences provides for liability for the unlawful use of an intellectual property right, misappropriation of authorship, or other intentional infringement of rights to an intellectual property right protected by law. Such an offence is punishable by a fine and confiscation of illegally manufactured products and equipment and materials used for their manufacture.
  • Criminal liability: If plagiarism of has caused material damage in a significant amount, criminal liability may be imposed. The Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for liability for unlawful reproduction, distribution of works of science, literature and art, computer programs and databases, as well as unlawful reproduction, distribution of performances, phonograms, videograms and broadcasting programs, their unlawful duplication and distribution on audio and video cassettes, floppy disks, other media, or other intentional infringement of copyright and related rights. Such an offence may be punishable by a fine, correctional labour or even imprisonment.

It is important to understand:

• The legal consequences of plagiarism can be very serious and can result in significant financial loss as well as restriction of freedom.
• Ignorance of the law does not exempt from liability.
• To protect his rights, the author will have to provide the court with evidence of his authorship and the fact of infringement of his rights.

So, plagiarism is not only unethical but also illegal. Respect for intellectual property and respect for copyright is the responsibility of every member of society.

Section 5: How to avoid plagiarism?

We have considered in detail what plagiarism is, what its varieties are and what negative consequences it may entail. Now it is time to talk about the most important thing: how to avoid this unpleasant phenomenon in your own work?

Following the principles of academic integrity and respecting copyright is not a difficult task. There are some simple but effective rules that will help you create original work and avoid accusations of plagiarism.

In this section we will give practical advice on proper citation and referencing, consider the use of special software to check for borrowings, and emphasise the importance of developing independent writing and critical thinking skills.

Unit 5.1: Proper Citation

The foundation of avoiding plagiarism is proper citation and referencing of sources. When you use ideas, facts, data, or quotations from someone else’s work, you must clearly indicate where you got them from.

Basic rules of citation:

1. Direct quotations (verbatim reproduction of the text):
   • The quotation is taken in inverted commas.
   • After the quotation, the author, the title of the work, the year of publication and the page from which the quotation is taken are indicated in brackets or in a footnote.
   • Example: “Plagiarism is the attribution of authorship to someone else’s work” (Petrenko, 2023, p. 15).
2. Indirect quotations (paraphrase):
   • Conveying the content of another’s work in one’s own words without quoting verbatim.
   • Inverted commas are not used.
   • After the paraphrased text, the author and the source of information must be indicated.
   • Example: As Petrenko (2023) notes, plagiarism is a serious infringement of copyright.
3. Commonly known facts:
   • Facts that are common knowledge and do not require proof do not require citation.
   • For example, the statement “The Earth revolves around the Sun” does not require a citation.
   • However, if you are not sure whether a fact is common knowledge, it is better to make a reference.

Reference Design:

There are many different styles of reference design (MLA, APA, Chicago, and others). Formatting requirements usually depend on the academic institution, scholarly journal, or publisher.

Important points:

• Accuracy: Make sure you provide the author’s name, title of the work, year of publication and page correctly.
• Completeness: Provide all relevant information so that the reader can easily find the original source.
• Uniformity: Use the same style of referencing throughout the paper.

Tips for proper citation:

• Take notes when working with sources: Write down the exact citations you want to use, along with the source data for the book or article.
• Use citation managers: Programs such as Mendeley, Zotero, EndNote can help you organise your sources and automatically generate citations in the right style.
• Don’t put off referencing until later: It is better to do it right away while writing your paper so that you don’t get confused and forget where you got a particular piece of information from.

Proper citation is not just a formality, but a sign of respect for the intellectual labour of others and a guarantee of your academic integrity.

Subsection 5.2: Using plagiarism checkers

In the digital age, apart from traditional methods, there are also special tools that help to detect plagiarism – these are text uniqueness checkers, so-called anti-plagiarism systems.

How do plagiarismcheckers work ?

These programmes scan the downloaded text and compare it against a huge database, which may include:

• Web pages available on the Internet.
• Research articles and publications.
• Books and textbooks.
• Databases of essays, term papers and theses.
• Other text documents.

After the check is complete, the programme produces a report that indicates the percentage of uniqueness of the text and highlights fragments that match other sources.

Popular programmes for plagiarismcheck :

• Unicheck: One of the most popular systems in Ukraine, used by many educational institutions.
• StrikePlagiarism: Polish plagiarism checker integrated with many international databases.
• eTXT Anti-Plagiarism: A programme from the eTXT content exchange that allows you to check text for uniqueness online or by downloading the programme to your computer.
• Advego Plagiatus: A free programme from the content exchange Advego, which also has a plagiarism checker function.
• Turnitin: One of the most well-known and reputable plagiarism checking systems in the world, used by many universities and scientific journals.

Advantages of using plagiarismchecker software :

• Speed and efficiency: Programs allow you to quickly check large amounts of text for borrowings.
• Detecting non-obvious borrowings: Programs can find not only verbatim matches, but also paraphrased text fragments.
• Help to avoid unintentional plagiarism: Checking your text before publishing or submitting it will help you make sure you are not infringing someone else’s copyright.

Important to remember:

• Plagiarism checker programmes are only a tool that helps to identify potential borrowings.
• A high percentage of uniqueness does not always guarantee the absence of plagiarism.
• The final decision about the presence or absence of plagiarism is made by a human being, not by the software.

Using plagiarismchecking software is an important element of academic culture and professional ethics. It not only helps you avoid accusations of plagiarism, but also helps you improve the quality and originality of your work.

Conclusion

Plagiarism is a serious problem that has negative consequences for both individuals and society as a whole. We have considered various aspects of this phenomenon: from definition and history to specific manifestations in various spheres of life and possible consequences.

The main conclusion that can be drawn is that plagiarism is unacceptable in any form. Respect for intellectual property, academic integrity and the pursuit of original work are fundamental principles that should guide everyone in their work.

Remember that there are many ways to avoid plagiarism: from proper citation and referencing to using special programmes to check text for uniqueness. Develop the skills of independent writing, critical thinking and proper research of sources.

And if you are faced with the problem of plagiarism as an author whose rights have been violated, do not be afraid to stand up for yourself. Remember that the law is on your side. In such situations it is important to seek qualified legal assistance. The company Polikarpov Law Firm has extensive experience in cases related to copyright protection and can provide you with professional support in the fight against plagiarism. The lawyers of the company will help you to collect the necessary evidence, prepare a claim or statement of claim and represent your interests in court.

Finally, we would like to remind you that creating original content is not only a legal requirement, but also an interesting and creative process. Don’t be afraid to express your own thoughts and ideas, develop your unique style and remember that it is your originality that is most valuable.

For a better understanding of how to protect your copyrights in case of copyright infringement, we recommend reading the article “Copyright Infringement: How to Protect Your Rights?“.