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Plagiarism

Manual

Version 2

November 2013

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List of changes/additions made over version - 1

2.2.1 Textbook specific laws and definitions vs Universal laws and

definitions

2.3 Stealing the Structure and Content ( Example 3 added)

2.4.1. What is not partial sentence plagiarism?

2.6. Repeating a portion of the question in the solution (CSE Example

added)

2.7.1.4 Scanning tables/charts given in the textbook

2.7.2.3 Drawing Circuit Diagrams

3.1.3.3 ‘Identify the Error in the Code’ Type Question

3.1.3.4 ‘Using Textbook Defined Method /Class’ type questions: (CSE

specific example added)

3.1.4. Suspect copying from solution manual (Statistics Example added)

3.1.8 Suspect Plagiarism in MATLAB codes

3.2.2.1 Limitations of iThenticate (Math Example)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Plagiarism-Definition

2. Various Types of Plagiarism

2.1 Direct Copying of original content

2.2 Rearranging sentences

2.3 Stealing the structure & content

2.4 Copying partial sentences

2.5 Modifying copied content using synonyms

2.6 Repeating a portion of question in the solution

2.7 Copying Images

3. How to detect Plagiarism?

3.1 Detecting Plagiarism without the help/aid of software tools

3.1.1 Understand MNE’s style of writing

3.1.2 Identify inconsistency in sentence quality

3.1.3 Understand the type of question to suspect plagiarism

3.1.4 Suspect copying from solution manual

3.1.5 Watch out for scanned diagrams and charts

3.1.6 Watch out for scholarly style of writing in solutions

3.1.7 Watch out for textbook quality in solutions

3.1.8 Suspect Plagiarism in MATLAB codes

3.2 Detecting Plagiarism with software tools

3.2.1 Google Search

3.2.2 iThenticate Software

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Plagiarism - The Menace

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of stealing someone else’s work or ideas and presenting it as one’s own

work.

1. Various types of Plagiarism

Direct copying of original content:

Rearranging sentences

Stealing the structure and content

Copying partial sentences

Copying text from the original source and using synonyms to modify the content

Repeating a portion of the question in the solution

Copying Images

2.1 Direct copying of the original content:

Copying ‘word-by-word' from (of) the original content, and presenting it as one’s own work,

is one form of plagiarism.

In the following examples, every sentence has been deliberately copied, word-to-word, from

the Internet source (physics.hpa.edu) and presented as one’s own work. This is blatant

plagiarism and considered the most serious threat to the company.

Examples:

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2.2.1 Textbook specific laws and definitions vs. Universal laws and definitions.

Textbook specific laws/definitions should not be copied from the textbook. Instead,

the concept should be written in one’s own words without changing the meaning.

Example:

Textbook definition of reaction stoichiometry: “The numerical relationship

between chemical quantities in a balanced chemical equation is called reaction

stoichiometry.”

This definition can be rewritten as: “In a balanced chemical equation, there is a

numerical relation between the quantities of reactants and products. The study of

this relation is called reaction stoichiometry.”

Universal Laws/Definitions: They are universally accepted. Such definitions may be

written without making any changes.

Example:

The first law of thermodynamics, or the law of conservation of energy, states that

‘energy is neither created nor destroyed, but it can only be changed from one form

to another’.

2.2 Rearranging sentences:

Here, the expert just changes the order of the original sentences, instead of rewriting. It is

another form of plagiarism.

Example:

In the following paragraph, sentences have been rearranged to give an impression as the

expert’s own work:

Original Text:

Copied Text:

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2.3 Stealing the Structure and Content:

Stealing the structure from the original content is considered plagiarism.

Example 1:

Original:

The following image is a snippet from a solution manual, which follows a certain structure to

solve the problem:

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Plagiarised:

Notice how the structure had been copied in the solution.

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Example 2:

The following is an example of structure being directly copied from textbook.

Original Content:

Plagiarised Content:

Notice that the expert tried to change the words, but the structure of the sentence remained

the same. This is another kind of plagiarism.

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Example3:

The following is an example of the structure of a chemistry solution being copied from the

textbook.

Original:

The following image is a screenshot taken from the textbook:

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Plagiarised:

Observe the following image. This shows a direct copy of the textbook style of labeling,

circling and also the flow of the solution.

2.4 Copying partial sentences

The practice of lifting significant portions of the sentence from the original source without

not making any alterations and presenting it as one’s own work is also considered as

plagiarism.

Example:

The example given below shows how the expert has extracted a part of the solution from the

internet (www. md.chula.ac.th) and made it a part of his solution:

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2.4.1 What is not partial sentence plagiarism?

At times, the word-order of scientific phrases appear as a sequence. Changing the

word-order would change the meaning of the phrase. Such phrases can be written

without modifying and this practice is not considered as plagiarism.

The word-order of certain scientific phrases should appear in a sequence. Changing the

word-order would change the meaning of the phrase. Such phrases can be written

without modifying and this practice is not considered as plagiarism.

Example:

In Business, the word-order for technical phrases like ‘Statement of Cash Flow’,

‘Current cash debt coverage ratio’, ‘Non Cash investing and financing activity’,

‘current maturities of long term debit’ cannot be changed.

2.5 Copying text from the original source and using synonyms to modify the content:

In this case, the expert tries to modify the copied content with an intention of avoiding

plagiarism. Such a practice does not change the structure and the structure remains

plagiarised. This is not a good practice, as it does not change the structure, and has more

chances of distorting the meaning of the text.

Example:

The following example shows how words in the copied text are substituted with synonyms

and showcased as original work.

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2.6 Repeating a portion of the question in the solution:

Repeating or reproducing a portion of the question from the textbook in a solution is

also considered Plagiarism.

CSE Example:

The following CSE example shows how the code given in the question is copied in the

solution:

MATH Example:

The following MATH example shows how a portion of the question is copied from the

textbook into the solution:

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2.7 Copying Images:

Copying tables, statistics, technical drawings, charts or graphs, images, etc. from the

textbook or other sources, and presenting them in the solution as one’s own work, is also

considered plagiarism.

2.7.1 What is a Plagiarized Diagram?

2.7.1.1 Changing the colours of a scanned diagram

A change in the colour/appearance of a diagram, to give an impression that it is one’s own

work is also considered plagiarism.

Example:

Original Diagram: The following diagram is obtained from the internet source

http://www.hartnell.edu/tutorials/biology/signaltransduction.html:

Copied Diagram:

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2.7.1.2 Making deliberate modifications to the original diagram, without showing

much difference from the original diagram:

Attempting to fake the original diagram, by making a few changes, such as adding labels, and

changing the colour, and presenting it as one’s own work, is also considered plagiarism.

Example:

Original Diagram:

Redrawn Diagram:

The redrawn diagram has little or no changes from the original.

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2.7.1.3 Copying diagram with copyrights is also a form of plagiarism.

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2.7.1.4 Scanning tables/charts given in the textbook

2.7.2 What is not a plagiarised diagram?

2.7.2.1 Significant Difference shown between the original and the redrawn

diagram:

If an expert attempts to draw the diagram on his/her own, such that it shows a

significant difference from the original diagram, such a practice is not considered

plagiarism.

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Example:

Notice a significant difference between the original figure and the redrawn figure.

Original Diagram:

Reworked Diagram:

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2.7.2.2 Diagrams of function graphs:

For a graph of a function, redrawing the shape will be the same in whichever way it is drawn.

So, drawing such graphs with minor modifications is not considered plagiarism.

Example:

Original graph:

Redrawn Graph:

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2.7.2.3 Drawing Circuit Diagrams:

For Circuit Diagrams, the shape of the redrawn diagram will remain the same in whichever

way it is drawn. So, drawing such diagrams will not be considered as plagiarism.

3. How to detect Plagiarism?

3.1 Detecting Plagiarism without the help/aid of software tools:

The reviewer needs to develop the skill of detecting plagiarism, even without the help of

software tools: This is because, Sophisticated Plagiarism detecting software tools are very

expensive; also, it is not practically possible to check all the solutions for plagiarism, using

the existing software.

The following criteria can be used to detect Plagiarism:

o Understand MNE’s Writing Style.

o Identify inconsistency in the quality of sentences.

o Understand the type of question to suspect plagiarism.

o Suspect copying from solution manual.

o Watch out for scanned diagrams and charts.

o Watch out for scholarly style of writing in solutions.

o Watch out for textbook quality in solutions.

o Suspect Plagiarism in MATLAB codes

3.1.1 Understand MNE’s style of writing

The reviewer should be able to differentiate MNEs with good writing skills, from those who

have weaker writing skills. This practice will help the expert to concentrate more on the

weaker MNE solutions. Suppose an MNE with weak writing skills sends a high quality

solution, the reviewer should be able to immediately suspect plagiarism.

In case, an MNE with weak writing skills sends a high quality solution, the reviewer needs to

suspect plagiarism immediately.

3.1.2 Identify inconsistency in sentence quality

If an expert lifts content from another source and attempts to mix it seamlessly with the

expert’s own work, to make the content appear unplagiarised, the reviewer should be able to

suspect plagiarism, based on the inconsistency in the sentence quality.

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Example:

Original Textbook Content:

Plagiarised content in solution:

Notice that the first part of the solution contains informal words like (we need, we can) and

improper grammar (more parts there are). But, the second part of the solution contains well-

structured sentences. Such inconsistency should make the reviewer suspect plagiarism. In

fact, the second part of the solution has been copied word-by-word from the textbook.

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3.1.3 Understand the type of question to suspect plagiarism:

3.1.3.1 ‘Check Yourself’ type questions: Such questions are meant to test whether the

student has understood the concept or not. For such questions, the answers are usually

found in the text book. In this case, the reviewer should suspect plagiarism, because

there are high chances that the content is directly copied from the textbook.

3.1.3.2 ‘Study’ type questions: These questions are meant to make the student do some

study/research outside the textbook. For such questions, the answers are not found in

the pages of the text book. In this case, the reviewer should suspect plagiarism

because there are chances that the content has been copied from internet.

3.1.3.3 ‘Identify the Error in the Code’ Type Question: To answer such questions, Experts

tend to copy the entire error code snippet from the textbook. But copying the code

from the textbook is considered plagiarism.

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Plagiarised CSE Example:

3.1.3.4 ‘Using Textbook Defined Method /Class’ type questions: (CSE specific)

When the use of a code from the textbook or an outside source is necessary to

understand/solve the problem, authors should reference the code in either the textbook

or the outside source instead of copying it into the solution.

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3.1.4 Suspect copying from solution manual:

If a solution contains brief, but precise answer/s with well-structured sentences, the

reviewer should immediately suspect Plagiarism.

Example: The following text has been copied from the solution manual found on the

Internet source: (www.reverte.com/microsites/docs/9788429100000/.../Ch23_SSM.pdf ):

Example (Statistics):

Solution Manuals avoid writing intermediate steps while solving a problem. But experts are

expected to write all the intermediate steps in order to teach the methodology to the student.

The reviewer should suspect plagiarism, if a brief solution without intermediate steps, is

found. The following example shows a statistics solution which was copied from the solution

manual.

Original Text from Solution Manual:

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Plagiarised Text:

3.1.5 Watch out for scanned diagrams and charts:

The reviewer may suspect plagiarism when complicated diagrams like 3-dimensional

images are found in the solutions.

Example:

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3.1.6 Watch out for scholarly style of writing in solutions:

The reviewer should suspect plagiarism, if scholarly style of writing is found in solutions.

Internet sources, like Wikipedia, produce information on a topic, mostly written by scholars.

Such scholars, unlike tutors, do not break up the concept, into bite-sized steps to explain to

the student, and also do not explain student confusion points (points confusing to the student).

The MNE is expected to write like a tutor.

3.1.7 Watch out for textbook quality in solutions:

The reviewer should have the ability to comprehend sentences that have a textbook quality.

i. Textbook Authors maintain perfect grammar.

ii. They usually do not use informal words like we, I, and you.

iii. Mostly, they give detailed explanation on the topic with lots of real-time examples

iv. They follow certain sentence structure in their subjects. A reviewer should be familiar

with such sentence structures.

This knowledge would be helpful to suspect plagiarism in high quality solutions.

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MATH Example:

Original text:

Plagiarised Text:

The following image shows how the sentence structure used by Math Textbook authors has

been copied in the solution:

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3.1.8 Suspect Plagiarism in MATLAB codes :

When professional/scholarly style of writing is found in comments and commands in

MATLAB code, the reviewer should suspect plagiarism.

Example:

Original Code:

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Plagiarised Code:

Observations from the above example:

Comments highlighted in the code have textbook style of writing

Line-width and line-color are not generally specified through the –plot commands.

Line-width and line-colour are changed on the MATLAB Figure window, rather

than through commands

Rare commands like ‘Axis ’, ‘hold off’ are used without being asked in the

question

Specifying output format in fprintf command fprintf('The displacement of beam by

simpsons 3/8 method is %3.8f \n',I); is too scholarly.

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3.2 Detecting Plagiarism with software tools:

i. Google Search

ii. ithenticate Software

3.2.1 Google Search:

Content suspected as plagiarised may be placed in Google Search, which would be helpful in

identifying and highlighting the plagiarised content.

Example: A sample of plagiarised content is found in Google Search. The highlighted

portion shows the plagiarised content.

3.2.2 iThenticate Software:

The iThenticate is a useful plagiarism detection software tool. It helps in detecting plagiarised

content in the solutions, which is available on the internet.

If continuous statements have been highlighted by the software tool, then the reviewer can

conclude that the solution is plagiarised.

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Example:

The original text is boxed at the top. Notice that the iThenticate software highlights the

plagiarised content.

3.2.2.1 Limitations of iThenticate:

iThenticate software has its limitations. The iThenticate produces plagiarism percentage in

the solution, after identifying the number of matched words and not matched sentences and

phrases. Plagiarism percentage also depends on the total number of words in the document.

So, the displayed percentage is not at all helpful in determining plagiarism. The reviewer is

strongly advised not to depend on the percentage shown by the software.

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The following are the four erroneous reports generated by iThenticate:

Example 1:

Here, the iThenticate generated a report for the above file. It reports that 66% of the content

had been plagiarised. Notice that the software has highlighted only variables like f(x) and

g(x). But, such content should not be considered as plagiarised.

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Example 2:

Here, the whole sentence has been copied from the textbook. But, the iThenticate shows 0%

plagiarised. This error occurs when a digital copy of the textbook is not available online.

Example 3:

Here, the iThenticate generated a report showing that the solution is 64% plagiarised. The iThenticate

shows that four short phrases have been lifted from 4 different sources, which is unrealistic. Hence, it

is not plagiarised.

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Example 4 (CSE):

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In the example, iThenticate shows that the output generated by the code is plagiarised, but it

is actually not. The output generated for the program to print multiples of 2 will almost be the

same, whichever way it is written. Notice that the iThenticate shows that the content is 33%

plagiarised, but actually it is not.