Re: [LIS-Forum] Prevalent Practice of Plagiarism: Is there a Solution ?

This is in continuation of the ongoing discussion and what Mr. Byrappa has written: Following same research methodology, sample selection criteria cannot be considered an act of plagiarism. Thus many researchers can follow questionnaire survey, ethnographic study and this is not an act of plagiarism. Similarly if someone has selected, for example, students of social sciences as sample and another has selected students of engineering as sample that is also not an act of plagiarism. In fact, when same type of study is conducted on different sample group, it is considered as an endeavor to establish the generalizability of findings which is an aim of any empirical research. Social science research methodology also allows using the questionnaire developed in one study, subject to acknowledgement. In fact, researchers do not develop questionnaire from the scratch, they build on the existing instrument. Regards, -- Swati Bhattacharyya Librarian Indian Institute of Management Calcutta Joka, Diamond Harbor Road Kolkata - 700104 Ph: +91-33-2467-8300/01 (extn: O:416; R: 106)

Dear LIS Professionals,

Plagiarism is a hot topic on lis-forum, these days. We see one class of people commenting aggressively/passionately about the copyright compliance and plagiarism etc. We are also getting prompt, candid and honest responses from many. In total, a healthy, heated and very relevant discussion happening on lis-forum.

Thanks to all those who have initiated these discussions on plagiarism. These discussions have really brought in awareness, fear and commitment for compliance - all the three essential for copyright compliance!

I thought of sharing couple of my opinions and thoughts about the ongoing discussion.

Copying and/or reproducing any portion of content without rights holder permission or proper acknowledgment is a plagiarism - A broad definition for 'plagiarism'!

In couple of discussions, people have complained about following (copying?) a process or a research methodology - survey, questionnaire etc. Does a 'methodology' or a 'process' comes under copyright act? I think these are protected by the Patent Act in India (not by copyright act). In a real world environment, processes, methodologies, basic laws etc. are intended to be applied and tested. I think, the 'academic spirit' should be encouraged by allowing researchers to use and re-use any methodologies, processes and laws since they help us to prove/dis-prove a point or a concept or an outcome. The outcome/results are generally vary depending on various parameters - your scope of study, subject, geography, sample etc. To be precise, what is wrong in re-using any methodology or a process in academic writing, of course with a due acknowledgement to the original author?. However, many argue that, It can be termed as GREY area as it goes by ones interpretation...

Someone on Wikipedia writes - Plagiarism is considered as an 'Academic Dishonesty'... Plagiarism is not a crime per se but in academia and industry it is a 'serious moral offence'...

How do we control plagiarism in LIS profession? Is there a solution?...

AUTHORS - BE ORIGINAL!

- Authors should aim to be original! Write about what you understand and grasp out of your readings. Don't copy from your readings and don't forget to acknowledge your readings/articles. 'Copy & paste' techniques will surely expose you one or the other day, it's a time factor! - Once your draft/write-up is ready, run it by a plagiarism detection tool. You find quite a few of them freely available on the net. They may not be perfect but they will surely help you to a great extent.

TEACHERS - AIM TO BE IDEAL

- We know that, teachers can't check every word and originality of it. It's an unfair expectation from society. However, teachers should teach their students about basics of academic writing and copyright compliance. - Every research scholar should attend at-least one training programme on academic writing and copyright compliance. I remember, Kerala Central University conducting such programmes recently. Such trainings/workshops would create required amount of awareness about copyright compliance and plagiarism and would surely position students and researchers to be much better authors.

PUBLISJERS AND EDITORS - FOLLOW PEER REVIEW PROCESS/SYSTEM

- People who care for quality and originality in publications should adopt peer review process. Short timelines, lack of experts/expertise and pressure to get more participants and papers to conferences are reasons why editors and organizers don't insist on peer review system/process - If a Conference Organizers and editors don't push for peer review system, they would be responsible for adding sub-standard content/publications to the scholarly world. Now, every conference organizers/editors ask themselves - How much of sub-standard content you have pushed (contributed!) to the scholarly world? I guess, we all senior LIS professionals, have a good share in this!

POLICY MAKERS AND CONFERENCE DONERS

Insist on quality of publications. Don't fund or donate if you don't see a quality process for publications in place.

Best Regards,

Ananda Byrappa

Global Leader, Whitney Knowledge Centre Six Sigma Black-Belt

GE India Technology Centre 122, EPIP, Phase 2, Whitefield Road, Bangalore - 560066, INDIA Ananda.byrappa@ge.com

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Message: 1 Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 04:14:21 +0000 From: Vara Lakshmi Rudrabhatla To: "LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in" , "nmlis@yahoogroups.com" Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] [nmlis] Fwd: Prevalent Practice of Plagiarism: Is there a Solution ? Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"

Dear Professional friends I would like to share my opinion on the above issue that may lead to further discussion and help to reach a solution. Background: U.G.C. and managements are compelling the departments / libraries to organize conferences / seminars to get NAAC grade points and supporting financially. The organizers need participants hence accepting every paper that is submitted. The professionals need papers for their CAS promotions or selections and the seminars / conferences are a channel for fast track publication. Further they are submitting for journal publication also. These developments are indeed desirable for the development and recognition of the profession. Outcome: However the outcome is not that encouraging as expected to be. The quantitative growth lead to the qualitative depreciation. Reason: Many of the professionals are not familiar with writing standards and skills. They are not familiar with difference between research article and research paper; innovative ideas and opinion studies; pasting and logical presentation; copying and citing; arbitrary citation and standard citation using a style manual These are not a part of their studies. Even if so, one will forget after examinations. Therefore there is no opportunity for the professionals to learn and acquire the skills of writing and presentation and the standards to be followed. Hence the need is to train our professionals in these aspects. Only then we can expect true academic contributions. The way out: There may be many ways to improve the situation but submitting three propositions for discussion 1. Conducting workshops on preparation and presentation of research paper not for name sake but with real zeal. 2. Applying anti-plagiarism software and reject the identified papers. This is good from the quality point of view but may demoralize the professionals. 3. Having a panel of voluntary editors who will review papers and suggest revision / modification of papers instead of outright rejection. This will improve the writing skills of the author and encourage him/her for standard contributions. I think it is high time to find solutions to the problem and enhance the standard of papers. ThanksVaralakshmi Dr R.S.R.Varalakshmi Professor (Rtd) 54-12-64/5, Bhanu Nagar H.B.Colony Post Visakhapatnam - 530 022

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