Definition & Perceptions of Plagiarism

Definition & Perceptions of Plagiarism MJ Joe Cho Ringo

Outline: • A. The definition of plagiarism • B. Cultural Perspectives on Plagiarism --1.Asian --2.Western --3.African • C. Current situation in Britain • D. Two cases on plagiarism --1. China --2. Canada • E. Conclusion of common issues

What is Plagiarism? 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. • Plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward.

Cultural Definition: • Asian: Chinese A student was accused of plagiarizing and said it was correct to rewrite the author’s word since the author was well known and respected. It shows the importance of reverence for authority which originates from a culture where respect for betters and elders is emphasized greatly. • Western:Spanish A visiting student was accused of plagiarizing but claimed that it was perfectly acceptable in Spanish academic circles. • African A Mauritian student was accused of plagiarizing but appeared shocked as he claimed that he was merely writing as how he would have written in his home institution. It appears that plagiarism is not recognized in Mauritius but a widely accepted practice.

Situation in Britain Data:The 58% of 278 teachers who identified it as a problem said they thought 25% of work returned by pupils included material copied from internet sites. Voice:1.Teacher, Leeds : “I had one piece of work so blatantly cut and pasted that it still contained adverts from the web page.” 2. "We will work closely with teachers to develop even more effective and reliable coursework assessments." 3. "I think the majority of students who engage in plagiarism do it more out of ignorance than the desire to cheat, they really want to succeed on their own merit." Teachers voice plagiarism fears

One case in China • Who: Wang Mingming (model Chinese educator - young, Western-trained, and credited with updating the teaching of sociology. Teaches in Peking University • how: Wang is accused of using parts of a an edition of "Cultural Anthropology," a popular textbook by William Haviland of the University of Vermont, in his own 1998 book. Wang translated Dr. Haviland's book into Chinese in 1987 with his permission. • voice: 1. Haviland:. "I would hate to see the guy go down the tubes for what appears to be an honest mistake." 2. students: Wang is an excellent teacher. if Peking University wants to set an example, it picked the wrong target. 3. A professor: "Wang dug his own grave. He deserves this.“ • Punishment: The official Xinhua News Agency says Wang has been stripped of his teaching posts.

One case in Canada • Who:Owen Lippert (speech-writer of Prime Minister Stephen Harper ) • how: Owen Lippert admitted he had been "overzealous in copying segments" of a speech in support of the invasion of Iraq by then Australian PM John Howard. • voice: 1. Liberal leader Stephane Dion :Mr Harper ought to be "expelled" by his party, and that the context in which the plagiarism had occurred made it "even worse". • 2.Lippert : "Pressed for time, I was overzealous in copying segments of another world leader's speech. Neither my superiors in the office of the leader of the opposition nor the leader of the opposition was aware that I had done so." • Punishment:Lippert apologized and announced his resignation http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7645593.stm

Conclusion of common issues: similarity • Full Plagiarism: Content that has been presented as own, without any changes made to the language, thoughts, flow, and even punctuation is known as full plagiarism. • Partial Plagiarism: The presented content is a combination of two to three different sources, where the use of rephrasing and synonyms is rampant.

Conclusion of common issues: difference In American In other countries Self-plagiarism is not a plagiarism in Asian. Source Citation is not a big problem in Asian Minimalistic Plagiarism is notalways regard as plagiarism • Self-plagiarism:Using one's own work, fully or partially, or even the same thought and re-writing it • Source Citation:When complete source information with quotes is provided, it does not amount to plagiarism. However, the definition of a complete source citation varies vastly. Some writers quote the source's name, but give no other accessible information. While some conveniently give false references, some just merge their information with an original piece of writing. • Minimalistic Plagiarism: the plagiarist authors someone else concept, ideas, thought, or opinions in their own words and in a different flow.

References • Introna et. Al.“A Different Perspective on Plagiarism.” The Internet TESL Journal: For Teachers of English as a Second Language. February 2009. 25 October 2009 .<http://iteslj.org/Articles/Yusof-Plagiarism.html> • “Teachers voice plagiarism fears.” BBC News. 18 January 2008. 25 October 2009. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7194772.stm> • “Plagiarism in China fuels debate on intellectual theft.” Christian science monitor. 22 January 2002 . 25 October 2009. <http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0122/p16s02-legn.html> • “Canada PM faces plagiarism claim.” BBC News. 1 October 2008 . 25 October 2009. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7645593.stm> • Rajeev, Loveleena. “Different Types of Plagiarism.” Buzzle.7 September 2008. 25 October 2009.<http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-types-of- plagiarism.html>

Any questions?

Thank you !

Definition & Perceptions of Plagiarism