Journal editorials on plagiarism: what is the message?

Abstract

A sample of 63 recent editorials on plagiarism, identified through PubMed, was examined for common themes. The sample ranged in length from approximately a single page to several pages. Forty one percent of the editorials included definitions of plagiarism and of self-plagiarism. But, these definitions varied widely in detail and in scope. For example, with respect to recycling authors' own previously published text, what might be perfectly acceptable to one editor may constitute an instance of self-plagiarism to another. Fourteen percent of the editorials acknowledged that plagiarism had occurred in the journal. Two major themes seemed to emerge from the present analysis: 1) Concern regarding the frequency with which plagiarism and self-plagiarism occur in the sciences or in the journal itself, along with possible negative consequences for those who commit infractions; 2) A cautionary warning about the existence of technology designed to detect plagiarism (and image manipulation) and/or the adoption of such technology by the journal for the purpose of screening submissions.

Ähnliche Arbeiten