Integrity of the Research Process - Plagiarism
Definition in the Federal Regulations - “Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit.”
On the surface this may not seem as important as fabrication and falsification. However, the smooth functioning of the whole system of science depends on honesty and a devotion to cooperation, respect, proper credit, and communication. For a scientist to work hard and then find that some scoundrel has claimed credit for his ideas and research is a frustrating experience that generates outrage.
A charge of plagiarism is one of the major types of misconduct complaints to Federal agencies.
Here are some examples of plagiarism compiled from Stealing Into Print (1992) by Marcel C. La Follette:
Translating foreign works and claiming credit for the research
Unattributed stealing of someone else’s ideas by a peer reviewer, even rushing to get into print before the orginator of the ideas
Using paragraphs or pages from someone else’s papers without giving credit
Attributing quotes or results to another person which are incorrect or false
Misrepresenting authentic data
Plagiarism in computer programs
Using others’ drawings, pictures, art, etc.
Misrepresenting authors or co-authors
Lying about a manuscipt’s publication status
Failure to give credit to important contributing researchers
Another book with stories about plagiarism is Betrayers of the Truth (1982) by Broad and Wade.
Because plagiarism is such a touchy situation, it is important that guidance material be taught to students and its elementary nature understood by everyone. The internet has many sites devoted to plagiarism by students writing papers for school assignments.
For information on the web about Federal Policy on Research Misconduct see:
Office of Science and Technology Policy, Federal Register vol. 65, no. 235, Wednesday, December 6, 2000 at www.ori.dhhs.gov/policies/fed_research_misconduct.shtml
National Science Foundation:
www.nsf.gov/oig
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
www. oig.hhs.gov
U.S. Department of Education:
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/index.html?src=oc
