Plagiarism: Ethical Problem for Medical Writing

Abstract

Since publication is a determinant for achievement in a scientific career and an important comparative indicator between institutes, publishing scientific work is a necessary activity in medicine. There are many ethical problems in scientific work. Writing a medical paper has to make use of previously published data. An important misunderstanding is that, using text or work of others in one’s own work is acceptable, copying only a little of others ’ work can be done. In the present article, the author will demonstrate an important ethical problem for medical writing, “plagiarism”(1-5). There are three forms of plagiarism(1-5): 1. Textual plagiarism This is copying of all words from the original paper without modification, and without reference or citation to the original author(s). This kind of plagiarism shows a very low writing skill and a lack of concern and respect to the original author. 2. Conceptual plagiarism This is copying of a concept or idea such as performing a study or designing an experiment in the same form as a previously published work, without modification. Although there is no textual copying, this kind of plagiarism shows lack of novelty, and creativity, and is considered work of poor value. 3. Content plagiarism This is a copying of a study or analytical result of others and disguise it as his/her/their own work. It is mostly accompanied with plagiarism form 1 and 2. This article is to say that any copying of others ’ text or work cannot be performed, in any degree, large or small. The correct way is to reference or cite, which means indicating that the text or work is originally generated by the cited author(s) and the present author(s) pay(s) respect to the cited author(s). It is important to remember that plagiarism can be in either form or in combination. Building up of the author’s concerns on respectfulness to the others ’ work can be the solution to this problem.

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