I have seen a few answers here that are copied and pasted from wikipedia and other online sources, without crediting the source, making it appear to be the original work of the answerer. I have even seen such answers receive "best answer" in favor over other people's original explanations. Is this fair? If not, what can we do about it? Is there any way we can all agree to credit our sources, and indicate when something has been quoted directly rather than condensed or paraphrased, just as we have agreed not to use overt placeholders?
2007-01-07 13:52:16 · 13 answers · asked by Joni DaNerd 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I don't mind an answer or even a best answer coming from Wikipedia, as long as the quote is indicated and the source credited. What I mind is passing off others' work as one's own.
2007-01-07 14:00:47 · update #1
No! It is NEVER ok to take credit for someone else's hard work because the plagiarism is stealing someone else's intelectual property and claiming it to be your own.
If someone credits the source, it is not plagiarizing the work. or stealing someone elses intelectual property.
I think we should stop plagiarizing other people's intelectual property, and if someone else's intelectual property is used; credit the source.
Several times people have set silly place holder messages then read the other answers then edited their answers to make it appear that they said the right answer first. Several people have stolen my answers in this way; when I have a lifetime of research and experience to draw my conclusions.
2007-01-08 03:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The source box is supposed to be for listing a source. Plagiarizing isn't okay usually, but people here aren't asking for you to come up with your own words usually, either. So it's only wrong if they asked for your own thoughts and you try to pass off something you copied as yours. Also, unless the person copying the response to give or the person receiving said response is profiting from using the response, then plagiarizing doesn't real enter into it.
I have more of a problem with someone responding with a well thought out answer and having the questioner copying that word for word and passing it off as their own for school or something. That is real plagiarism. And if the questioner is going to do that, then they deserve to have copied an answer they believe to have been an original answer from the responder, but is actually something which was copied from an unrevealed source. Then maybe they'll get caught having plagiarized when they turn their assignment in.
2007-01-07 22:00:43 · answer #2 · answered by marklemoore 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, it's not okay. if you cut and paste from the webpage, you have to acknowledge the source in the box. I don't mind, as you do, the best answer being an excerpt from wikipedia or other website. well, wikipedia is easy to look up but sometimes there are esoteric websites that ppl know about that are difficult to find. I think you need to relax a little and just live with it.
2007-01-07 21:56:42 · answer #3 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Plagiarism is unprofessional. To be fair, though, a number of responders may not know the etiquette, here. I think that your question will help the readership on this site do a better job.
Dear readers, if you plagiarize, here is how Tom Lehrer could tease you, in a song entitled, "Lobachewski":
"Plagiarize,
Let no one else's work evade your eyes,
Remember why the good Lord made your eyes,
So don't shade your eyes,
But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize...
Only be sure always to call it please "research". "
Here, Tom Lehrer was teasing his audience, joking that he had plagiarized Lobachewski. In reality, neither of them is known to have plagiarized anyone. Still, I think we should sing this song about those who wilfully and repeatedly violate this rule of professionalism (with proper reference of course)! I promise to sing it about myself if I slip!
2007-01-07 22:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by Asking&Receiving 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do my best to say Source: and type whatever site it came from,if I do a copy paste. Sometimes I forget, but its on the internet, and internet is free to use for anybody, if they dont want there words or knowledge used, get it off take it down, and lets all get stoopid.
2007-01-07 22:01:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not it isn't OK, however since there is a disclaimer at the bottom:
"Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. Click here for the Full Disclaimer." Nothing can be verified or be taken legal action against. Yahoo answers would need to come up with some sort of specific citing rules which they probably won't.
2007-01-07 21:55:41 · answer #6 · answered by mojo2093@sbcglobal.net 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
it is not okay i agree because i asked a question and nobody gave me a good answer then someone copys this huge 3 paragraph answer that only partially answers the question so i didnt choose a best answer, i dont think theres anythin to do about it nobodys gonna really listen
2007-01-07 21:56:47 · answer #7 · answered by the illest 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it is definitely not OK.
Technically, to avoid plagiarizing and violating copyright laws, I think repsonders should provide links to web sites rather than just copy work in, even if they do provide references.
2007-01-07 22:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by Edward W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not really plagiarism per se, but I do agree it would be honorable to credit one's source.
2007-01-07 22:00:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
As long as they give the source, I think it's okay. I think copying other user's answers by answering first and then stealing a later person's response is worse.
2007-01-07 21:55:44 · answer #10 · answered by Professor Maddie 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋