Definition of plagiarism: Phrasing

What is this about?

This is a fictional case of a novice reviewer who, in writing her first book review, used her own substantive ideas but relied heavily on borrowing identical sentences and phrases from a professor’s published review. The professor whose review has been heavily plagiarised alerted the journal.

Why is this important?

The case delivers yet another example of the many formats that plagiarism can take (see also Loui, 2002)^[1]. It is also a reminder of how easily and, often unintentional, breech of ethical guidelines can occur, especially by those less experienced in a field.

For whom is this important?

AuthorsJournal editorsJournal publishersJunior researchersEarly career researchers

What are the best practices?

The case provides some ideas of best practices in order to avoid such plagiarism allegations:

a) Create your own review model after you have read a number of different review examples, rather heavily relying on one single example

b) Acknowledge that the book review model used relies heavily on XX’s review by referencing appropriately

Other information

Good Practices & Misconduct

Plagiarism

↑ Loui, M.C. (2002). Seven Ways to Plagiarize: Handling Real Allegations of Research Misconduct, Science and Engineering Ethics 8: 529–539.

[1] Loui, M.C. (2002). Seven Ways to Plagiarize: Handling Real Allegations of Research Misconduct, Science and Engineering Ethics 8: 529–539.

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