Free Essay On Education - The Effect of Plagiarism

The Effect of Plagiarism

The Effect of Plagiarism
Plagiarism refers to the presentation of the work of another individual as one’s own, often without the proper acknowledgment of the used sources in that piece of work. Plagiarism can occur in various ways, including verbal, formats of creative production or written. It is recognizable that the overt references and appropriation to other works of art are legitimate practices in the contemporary art. Moreover, the generic distinction, which exists between plagiarism and the creative strategies, can be indeterminable. As such, plagiarism allegations in the studios can be evaluated through case-by-case approaches (Blum, 2005, p. 24).
Examples of plagiarism include utilizing commercial services of writing, using charts, figures, facts, graphs or other relevant information without acknowledging the source among others. Plagiarism often has certain effects when committed. The effects of plagiarism are extensive, and individuals, who commit plagiarism, have to ensure that they take responsibility for their actions.

Effects of Plagiarism

The plagiarism consequences can be legal, personal, ethical or professional. The technological advancements in the world today such as the software for plagiarism detection make it easy to identify the plagiarists (Blum, 2005, p. 25). When accused of plagiarism, individuals are likely to be regarded with suspicion. Plagiarists can be authors, students, professionals, journalists and academics among others. The plagiarism consequences include:

Destroyed reputation of the student

The allegations of plagiarism can cause the suspension of expulsion of a student in a given institution. The academic records of such students can reflect the offense of ethics, which can cause the students to be barred from joining a given College from another college or high school. Learning institutions, including universities, colleges and schools take the issue of plagiarism seriously (Blum, 2005, p. 33). Most of the educational institutions have established committees of academic integrity to police the students. Most of the schools with such committees suspend the students on their initiatory violation. However, most of the students get expulsions on further offenses.

Destroyed reputation of the professional

Professionals can be individuals such as public figures, politicians or business people. These people may realize that the damage originating from plagiarism follows them throughout their entire career (Blum, 2005, p. 48). Such individuals are likely to be fired or requested to step down from their positions. Moreover, in the case of being fired, such individuals may find it difficult acquiring new jobs. Depending on the public stature of the plagiarists and the offense, their names may be ruined, which can make any form of their meaningful careers impossible.

Ruined academic reputation

The effects of plagiarism have been reported globally and more in the academia world. On instances of plagiarism allegations, the careers of academics can be destroyed. Publishing is one of the integral parts prestigious academic careers. Losing the capacity to publish can most likely mean the end of academic positions and destroyed reputations (Blum, 2005, p. 51).

Legal repercussions

The legal consequences of plagiarism can be severe. The copyright laws are always absolute. As such, an individual cannot use the material or piece of work of another individual without reference or citation. Authors have the right to sue plagiarists. Some of the plagiarism cases can be considered as a criminal offense, which can lead to prison sentences. Individuals susceptible to the issues of plagiarism include authors and journalists among others who write for the living.

Taking Responsibility

Individuals take responsibility for their plagiarism actions in various ways. For instance, monetary penalties are common for such cases, especially in many of the exposed cases of plagiarism by authors, journalists, researchers and public figures (Blum, 2005, p. 52). In cases where the authors sue plagiarists, the authors can be granted monetary restitutions. In cases where journalists work for publishers, newspapers or magazines, or if students are found plagiarizing in schools, the offending plagiarists may pay agreed on monetary penalties.

Steps Taken To Ensure No Violation of Academic Integrity

In the case of plagiarism or academic dishonesty especially in the learning institutions, where most of the academic dishonesty occurs, the first step involves referral to the designee of the Dean and the faculty chair of the committee on the academic integrity. After receipt of the report alleging a given student of the academic dishonesty, the designee of the Dean and the faculty co-chair inform the student concerning the same through writing.
The alleged student can continue with the enrollment by attending classes pending the resolution of the administration on the misconduct charge. The resolution comes following an academic disciplinary hearing. The conduct of the hearing involves timing, which provides a specific number of days to hold the hearing after report on the academic dishonesty. Evidence of the misconduct is then sought to establish facts concerning the academic dishonesty.
The accused students, affected members of the faculty and possible witnesses are then asked to appear before the committee to build on the evidence and facts (Blum, 2005, p. 56). The committee establishes a verdict with utmost confidentiality and renders its decision basing on the majority vote. After concluding the deliberations, the committee prepares a report that contains a summary of the academic dishonesty allegations and recommendations for sanctions.

References

Blum, S. D. (2005). My word!: Plagiarism and college culture. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.