intentional versus unintentional plagiarism

Since there seems to be so much confusion and there appears to be such little understanding of why APA citation is required, I thought this week would be a good week to include an article that reviews the concept of plagiarism in nursing and for each of you to recognize this does not just apply to papers but to documentation and into clinical practice. Read the following article (Carter et al., 2019) and answer the questions listed below by Sunday, 7/9/23 by 11:59. One peer response of at least 150 words is required. Both the original and peer response are due by Sunday, 7/9/23. Two scholarly sources (other than the provided article) are required (published within the past five years) and cited per APA 7th edition formatting. I would anticipate that each student locate different scholarly sources as it is surprising when students cite the very same scholarly sources (one could be explained but both the same references is surprising?) Answer the first two questions BEFORE you read the article. 

plagiarisminnursing.pdf

  1. What do you as a student understand plagiarism to be; provide a specific example.
  2. Is there a difference in the consequences between intentional versus unintentional plagiarism from an academic integrity perspective? Support response?
  3. How does the attached article (Carter et al., 2019) help to clarify the concept of plagiarism? Make sure to identify at least two concepts learned about plagiarism that were not well understood prior to reading the article and/or included scholarly resources.
  4. How does this concept of plagiarism apply to your future role as an advanced practice nurse? Why is it important to ensure that you cite sources in nursing?
  5. Identify 2 consequences of plagiarism from perspective of an advanced practice nurse and also 2 consequences from the perspective of being a graduate nursing student.
  6. What is the FNU policy regarding plagiarism or violation of academic integrity as outlined in your graduate student handbook?
  7. Describe 2 actions moving forward that you will take to ensure to decrease plagiarism in your practice and as a student.

intentional versus unintentional plagiarism

  1. Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work, ideas, or words without giving them proper credit. It involves presenting someone else’s work as your own, whether it’s an entire document, a paragraph, a sentence, or even a few words.

A specific example of plagiarism would be copying and pasting a paragraph from a website into your essay without attribution or quotation marks, thereby claiming the words as your own instead of acknowledging the original source.

  1. From an academic integrity perspective, there is typically a difference in the consequences between intentional and unintentional plagiarism. Intentional plagiarism refers to knowingly presenting someone else’s work as your own, while unintentional plagiarism occurs when you inadvertently fail to cite or properly attribute sources. The consequences for intentional plagiarism are usually more severe because it is considered a deliberate act of academic dishonesty.

The severity of consequences may vary depending on institutional policies, but intentional plagiarism can result in penalties such as failing the assignment, failing the course, academic probation, or even expulsion from the educational institution. Unintentional plagiarism, on the other hand, is often viewed as a mistake or lack of understanding and may lead to milder consequences, such as a warning, the opportunity to revise the work, or the requirement to complete an educational module on academic integrity.

  1. Without the attached article, it’s not possible for me to provide a specific analysis of Carter et al., 2019. However, I can provide some general information on how scholarly articles can help clarify the concept of plagiarism. Scholarly resources like academic articles can offer insights into various aspects of plagiarism, including its definition, types, consequences, and prevention strategies.

When reading such articles, you may gain a deeper understanding of plagiarism by learning about concepts like:

a) Self-plagiarism: This refers to the reuse of one’s own previously published work or ideas without proper citation. Some individuals may mistakenly believe that self-plagiarism is acceptable, but it is still considered a form of academic dishonesty.

b) Patchwriting: This concept refers to the practice of rephrasing or slightly modifying someone else’s work without proper citation. It’s important to recognize that paraphrasing is not enough; proper attribution must be given to the original source.

  1. In the context of being an advanced practice nurse, plagiarism is still a serious concern. As an advanced practice nurse, you will engage in scholarly activities, research, and writing. It is important to ensure that you cite sources properly to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.

Citing sources in nursing is crucial for several reasons:

a) Ethical and professional responsibility: Citing sources acknowledges the contributions of other researchers and authors, respecting their intellectual property rights. It demonstrates ethical conduct and upholds professional standards within the nursing field.

b) Building upon existing knowledge: Nursing research and practice build upon the work of others. By properly citing sources, you contribute to the integrity of the knowledge base and allow readers to trace the origins of ideas, theories, and evidence.

  1. Consequences of plagiarism from the perspective of an advanced practice nurse may include:

a) Damage to professional reputation: Plagiarism undermines professional credibility and trust. If discovered, it can damage an advanced practice nurse’s reputation, potentially leading to professional sanctions, loss of job opportunities, and harm to patient care.

b) Legal and ethical implications: Plagiarism can have legal consequences, including copyright infringement. It may also violate professional codes of ethics, leading to disciplinary actions by regulatory bodies or professional organizations.

Consequences of plagiarism from the perspective of being a graduate nursing student may include:

a) Academic penalties: Graduate nursing programs typically have strict academic integrity policies. Plagiarism can result in penalties such as failing a course, academic probation, or dismissal from the program.

b) Impaired learning and professional growth: Plagiarism undermines the learning process and hinders the development of critical thinking and research skills. By not properly citing sources, students miss out on opportunities to engage with existing literature and contribute to the scholarly dialogue.

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  2. Two actions you can take to decrease plagiarism in your practice and as a student are:

a) Educate yourself: Familiarize yourself with the proper citation guidelines and academic integrity policies of your institution. Learn about different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, and understand how to attribute ideas and sources appropriately.

b) Use plagiarism detection tools: Utilize plagiarism detection software or online tools to check your work for unintentional plagiarism. These tools can help you identify any instances of unoriginal content, allowing you to make the necessary revisions and ensure the integrity of your work.

Additionally, it is crucial to develop good research and writing habits, such as taking thorough notes, keeping track of your sources, and properly citing them as you go. Regularly reviewing and revising your work with a critical eye can help you identify any areas where proper attribution may be needed

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