Running head: PLAGIARISM: RECOGNITION AND AVIODANCE 1

Plagiarism: Recognition and Avoidance

Charles Polk

Walden University
 Plagiarism: Recognition and Avoidance

Plagiarism is more than not giving credit for using other people’s word or ideas; it is also

improperly citing someone’s work as not a direct quote when little has been changed from the

original text or work (Study Notes, n.d.). Walden’s code of conduct expresses definitions of

plagiarism and the consequences of such action. The code of conduct indicates that the use of

another’s opinion or views can fall under the definition of plagiarism if not acknowledged. The

code of conduct also addresses paraphrasing without proper acknowledgment as plagiarism

(Walden, 2009, para. 4a).

It is evident from a comparison of the original text by Crossen (1994) and the student’s

work portrayed in the week ten application assignment that plagiarism exists. The student

appears to have paraphrased the text or intended to paraphrase the text. The student’s passage

does not have quotation marks leading the reader to believe the passage is the student’s own

thoughts and expressions based on the information presented in the original text by Crossen

(1994). The student’s passage has merely rearranged the sentences and structure of the original

work. The student changed some words; however, the two passages bare a strong resemblance

when viewed together. Jeff Zuckerman referenced a quote from Booth, Colomb, and Williams

(1995) stating, “You plagiarize when you use words so close to those in your source, that if your

work was placed next to the source, it would be obvious that you could not have written what

you did without the source at your elbow” (Booth, Colomb, & Williams, 1995, p. 167 as cited by

Laureate Education, Inc. [DVD], n.d).

The third and fourth sentences of the student’s passage are the clearest form of plagiarism

in the passage, since they are virtually word for word. The sentences could be rephrased as

follows: Cynthia Crossen (1994) indicated the governance of science standards and peer review
of biomedical researchers still leave information vulnerable. She gave five reasons the

information may be compromised: “ending the study because the results are disappointing;

changing rules mid-study; not trying to publish negative results; publicizing preliminary results

even with final or less positive results in hand; skimming over or even not acknowledging

drawbacks; and casting the results in the best light” (Crossen, 1994, p. 167).

Plagiarism is best recognized by viewing the original work along side the writer’s work

and comparing the later to the former for critical thinking and scholarly use instead of merely

restating exactly the same words. Plagiarism is easily found by viewing the work for evidence

supporting the work and citations acknowledging the evidence utilized to support the writer’s

conclusions. Avoiding plagiarism involves keeping track of all sources used and read during the

composition of scholarly writing. Based on the list of sources and material used in the production

of the scholarly writing, it must be determined how the sources were used and the proper citation

for the method of use. Insert the citations and references commensurate to the actual writing and

do not wait until the end of the paper, since this may result in overlooking the acknowledgement

of another’s work. During the final review of a research paper or other writing, ensure all

citations and references are properly annotated and all work is cited.
 References

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (1995). In the craft of research. Chicago, IL:

University of Chicago Press.

Crossen, C. (1994). Tainted: The manipulation of fact in America. New York: Touchstone.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Introduction to Scholarly Writing: Plagiarism and

Academic Integrity [DVD]. Available from Walden University.

Study Notes (n.d.). Introduction to Scholarly Writing: Plagiarism and Academic Integrity.

Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/46322/CRS-0000-

4220885/SN_Writing_Plagiarism_Ac_Integrity_6_09_2006-6.doc.

Walden Catalog Statement on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism. (2009). Plagiarism. Retrived

from http://catalog.waldenu.edu/content.php?catoid=9&navoid=596