University Reports & Plagiarism

Elixir · 15 Mar 2012 at 14:26

I'm currently writing a literature review for uni and have found a recent scientific paper which would make a fantastic reference material (sounds better

).

Now I obviously don't intend to copy this and will be doing my own research into the subject and finding my own references, however the main topics within the paper would fit the title of my review perfectly and it is set out in a logical order.

My question is how much would it be frowned upon were I to borrow heavily from the basic layout of this paper? I will of course be using entirely my own words where possible and finding my own references for my claims, but I'm unsure what level of similarity is acceptable in terms of layout. After all, they are on an almost identical subject.

Elixir · 15 Mar 2012 at 14:37

Moses said:
That sounds highly dubious (but then I'm massively paranoid about being "done" for unfair means, even though I'd never use them). The way you're wanting to copy the entire structure over doesn't sound good. You could always ask your personal tutor.

Yeah I think I'll ask. It's a very logical cause-and-effect structure hence why I want to draw from it, I'll just need to be conscious that I don't do so to excess.

Burnsy2023 · 15 Mar 2012 at 14:39

Moses said:
That sounds highly dubious (but then I'm massively paranoid about being "done" for unfair means, even though I'd never use them). The way you're wanting to copy the entire structure over doesn't sound good. You could always ask your personal tutor.

Indeed. I wouldn't do it. Rewriting something is different words is still plagiarism.

Djwayne · 15 Mar 2012 at 14:40

Simple really - If in doubt ask.

Check with your lecturer and see if it would be a problem then you eliminate all doubt.

If you only want to use the structure layout rather than the content it may be ok but better safe than sorry as plagiarism can be a quick ticket out of uni

RomanNose · 15 Mar 2012 at 14:42

Speak to your teacher?

Elixir · 15 Mar 2012 at 14:59

I'm just going to bin it and sort out my own structure. I'll do a better job anyway.

Thanks for the push in the right direction!

D.P. · 15 Mar 2012 at 15:02

Elixir said:
I'm currently writing a literature review for uni and have found a recent scientific paper which would make a fantastic reference material (sounds better ).

Now I obviously don't intend to copy this and will be doing my own research into the subject and finding my own references, however the main topics within the paper would fit the title of my review perfectly and it is set out in a logical order.

My question is how much would it be frowned upon were I to borrow heavily from the basic layout of this paper? I will of course be using entirely my own words where possible and finding my own references for my claims, but I'm unsure what level of similarity is acceptable in terms of layout. After all, they are on an almost identical subject.

Best case, no one finds out you cheated, worst case you get kicked out of university and black listed so you can never attend an institute of higher education ever again.

WobblerJW · 15 Mar 2012 at 15:42

the only plagiarism i done at uni was copy my college project report lol but in all fairness copying someone elses work even rewording it will get the heads turning the wrong way possibly for you.

Elixir · 15 Mar 2012 at 15:46

WobblerJW said:
the only plagiarism i done at uni was copy my college project report lol but in all fairness copying someone elses work even rewording it will get the heads turning the wrong way possibly for you.

Indeed, however it is a publication I'm probably going to be referencing anyway as it provides some good points of it's own. I've not found another student's report who I intend to copy.

Pestilence · 15 Mar 2012 at 15:58

Make yours a multi-layered pop-up book. Can't beat that.

HaMMuS · 15 Mar 2012 at 21:27

If your Uni uses Turnitin or something similar, be warned that they are quite hard to fool.

J-FRO · 15 Mar 2012 at 22:04

To be fair, I'd say go for it. But only if you can use it as a form of comparative study and build upon it. And by that I mean try and add your own chapters in and come up with real material that the original author hasn't come across that either supports or scrutinizes what they have written. I'm sure you know the rest, but I can't see why a structure alone shouldn't be a good method of study.

Put it like this, if an academic writes something influential but it can't be responded to in support, or critically, what use is it? Academic progression relies to a certain extent upon challenges to our current understanding. Stand out and be bold I say. Just don't copy outright, that's a huge no no that goes without saying.

King Damager · 15 Mar 2012 at 22:10

You can reference the ideas. But I wouldn't follow the same format or wording at all.

kd

HeadlessChicken · 15 Mar 2012 at 22:35

Don't copy the structure, it means nothing. If you want good marks critically analyse it compared to your own / others.

*edit*, just seen it's a lit review. So just compare it to others, and say why you liked it. A key paper is not to be ignored

Evoss · 15 Mar 2012 at 22:40

You can copy as much as you like under copyright as long as it is correctly referenced. Academics love it when their work is referenced as it gets their name out there.