Presenting someone else’s words as your own is plagiarism. In academia, confusion between reference and plagiarism is quite common. Reference is when you use concepts or ideas from other authors to develop your own hypotheses or questions, citing the authors whenever appropriate. Plagiarism, on the other hand, is copying in whole or in part what has already been said by someone, either reproducing it in full or making small changes.
IS PLAGIARISM A CRIME?
In addition to being an unethical attitude, plagiarism in academic works is a crime. Law 9,610, of 1998, was created to regulate both artistic and academic copyrights. An individual’s knowledge, when published – in the form of a book, film, academic essay, scientific article, participation in events, etc. – is protected by intellectual property law.
According to the Penal Code (Article 184), the plagiarist is subject to a Punishment fine and even imprisonment, from three months to one year. In technical, undergraduate or graduate courses, when identified, plagiarism can eliminate works, including TCCs. If the finding is made after graduation or obtaining a title (specialist, master or doctor), the individual may have the diploma revoked or lose the title. Negatively marking your resume.
OTHER PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PLAGIARISM IN ACADEMIC WORKS
For the educational institution, the practice of plagiarism also brings harm, because, in case of publication of the plagiarized work, it could be held responsible and harm its score at the Ministry of Education .
This requires extra attention from teachers, especially from the supervisor, when correcting academic papers. Nowadays, the “hunting for plagiarism” has become easier because, in addition to the experience of teachers, there are numerous websites and software developed to tell if a text is a copy of another in seconds.
TYPES OF PLAGIARISM MOST COMMON IN ACADEMIC WORKS
Literal (direct) plagiarism
When the student copies an entire excerpt from the text used as a reference without citing the source.
transliteral plagiarism
When the student paraphrases (rewrites in his own way) another text without citing the source.
self-plagiarism
When the same work is presented (copied) more than once by the student in different situations as if it were unpublished.
source plagiarism
When the student suppresses the secondary source of a citation, making the reference as if he had consulted the original citation (primary source).
purchase of works
The presentation of works developed by another person can characterize, in addition to plagiarism, a crime of ideological falsehood. And both those who buy and sell works can be punished.
Classroom notes of teachers’ sentences
When taking note of a sentence said in class, note the date and discipline, so you can cite the source, without illegally copying it.
HOW NOT TO COMMIT PLAGIARISM IN ACADEMIC WORKS
We know that developing totally original ideas is practically impossible. After all, what we know has been taught to us by other people. In order not to plagiarize anyone, the correct thing is to always cite the reference, either by direct or indirect citation. Your sources are essential to support your arguments. Understand what the researched authors say and use them as guides for your work.
