{"id":11216,"date":"2024-11-02T08:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-11-02T02:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/?p=11216"},"modified":"2024-12-04T16:08:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T10:08:48","slug":"avoid-plagiarism-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/avoid-plagiarism-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Avoid Plagiarism in Research Papers (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"

We introduced the definition of plagiarism and instructions on reusing intellectual output from others without committing plagiarism. We also provided links to helpful tools to help\u00a0organize your references<\/a>\u00a0(e.g.,\u00a0EndNote\u00a0or\u00a0Reference Manager) and check plagiarism (e.g.,\u00a0iThenticate\u00a0and\u00a0HelioBLAST\u00a0[formerly eTBLAST]). This article offers additional information and examples on\u00a0paraphrasing, patchwriting, and quoting. Read more about these in our\u00a0previous article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More than Just Words<\/h2>\n

Many, if not most, people presume that plagiarism refers to copying others\u2019 words without giving that person credit. They would be correct; however, plagiarism is more than that. It also involves copying another\u2019s \u201cideas\u201d and data. Ideas, just as words or data, are \u201cowned\u201d by the person who created them. Taking one\u2019s ideas as your own without proper credit is just as serious as copying his or her words without credit. Plagiarism is a serious professional infraction. The actions taken against the offender can be anything from the retraction of a paper to the loss of research funding. Therefore, one must try their best to avoid plagiarism<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Quoting vs. Paraphrasing<\/h2>\n

In a\u00a0research paper<\/a>, references are used throughout to support findings. To help the author, journals provide guidelines for in-text citations and references (e.g., articles, books, essays) based on the recommended style guide. It is also important to determine whether to quote a reference directly or paraphrase it. What\u2019s the difference? Again, don\u2019t be pulled into the trap of believing that paraphrasing won\u2019t be considered plagiarism. You must be very careful here.<\/p>\n

What is Quoting<\/a>?\u00a0It is reproducing someone else\u2019s words. Although it is often necessary, quotes should be used sparingly. When necessary,\u00a0quotes are used\u00a0to clarify, define something in the text, or support a claim.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The elephant is the largest mammal in the world and can weigh nearly eight tons. It has a \u201cmassive body, large ears and a long trunk, which has many uses ranging from using it as a hand to pick up objects, as a horn to trumpet warnings, an arm raised in greeting to a hose for drinking water or bathing.\u201d (Source:\u00a0https:\/\/www.worldwildlife.org\/species\/elephant<\/u>)<\/p>\n

This quote (note the quotation marks) gives a good verbal description of what an elephant looks like. We don\u2019t need to add anything to it and it would be difficult to paraphrase and retain the visual. We have given credit to the source in the parentheses.<\/p>\n

What is Paraphrasing?\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0using your own words\u00a0to express what someone else has written. As with quotes, paraphrasing must also be cited. Remember to give credit even when paraphrasing.<\/a> When paraphrasing, ensure that the reference is provided and the main idea\/concept is not altered. Furthermore, using a\u00a0paraphrasing tool<\/a>\u00a0can help in improving your writing instantly.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/p>\n

The elephant is the largest mammal in the world and can weigh nearly eight tons. Its large floppy ears help to cool its body and protect it from insects. Its proboscis that runs from its head to the ground and is used as a tool and for drinking and bathing. (Source:\u00a0https:\/\/www.worldwildlife.org\/species\/elephant<\/u>\u00a0)<\/p>\n

Here, the information has been paraphrased, but the quoted version is a better definition. As mentioned, quotations can be quite useful for defining and clarifying an idea, but must be used only when necessary.<\/p>\n

Paraphrasing is quite useful but it can be difficult to do. Some good guidelines for paraphrasing are as follows:<\/p>\n