The Challenges for Scientists in Avoiding Plagiarism

Abstract

Although it might seem to be a simple task for scientists to avoid plagiarism and thereby an allegation of research misconduct, assessment of trainees in the Responsible Conduct of Research and recent findings from the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General regarding plagiarism suggests otherwise. Our experiences at a land–grant academic institution in assisting researchers in avoiding plagiarism are described. We provide evidence from a university–wide multi–disciplinary course that understanding how to avoid plagiarism in scientific writing is more difficult than it might appear, and that a failure to learn the rules of appropriate citation may cause dire consequences. We suggest that new strategies to provide training in avoiding plagiarism are required.

Keywords:

• education
• ethics
• RCR instruction
• Responsible Conduct of Research
• research integrity instruction

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A preliminary version of this article was presented at the Annual Association for Professional and Practical Ethics Meeting in San Antonio, Texas on March 1, 2013. We appreciate the input from and helpful discussions with our colleagues at that meeting, and with Dr. Kenneth Pimple in other discussions. We also acknowledge the sustained institutional support we have received for our RCR training endeavors.