This document is a seminar presentation on plagiarism given by Dr. Peter Odion Ubuane to medical consultants, doctors, and students at LASUTH in Ikeja, Nigeria. The presentation defines plagiarism, discusses its various forms, and the implications of committing plagiarism. It notes that plagiarism is a widespread problem in Nigerian academia, with several high-profile cases of plagiarism by government officials and university lecturers. The presentation emphasizes the importance of developing skills to avoid plagiarism such as learning proper citation techniques, using plagiarism checking software, and understanding what constitutes common knowledge versus needing attribution. It concludes by stressing the need to cultivate an ethical academic culture

1. Plagiarism
a Seminar Presentation by
Dr Peter Odion Ubuane, MBChB, FWACPaed
to
Consultants, Doctors & Medical Students of the Department of Paediatrics, LASUTH, Ikeja
at
The Seminar Room,
Department of Paediatrics, LASUTH, Ikeja
3rd Jan., 2018

2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• I ACKNOWLEDGE EXTENSIVE USE OF OTHER AUTHORS’ MATERIALS.
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THESE HAVE BEEN CITED, REFERENCED OR
ACKNOWLEDGED. WHERE OTHERWISE OMITTED, THIS IS REGRETTED
AND WILL BE CORRECTED.

3. OBJECTIVES
• At the end of this presentation the audience is expected to:
 Have a (better) understanding of plagiarism and its scope
 Grasp the implications and consequences of plagiarism
 Consider ways of avoiding plagiarism in day-to-day literary work
 Consider acquisition/enhancement of skills in ethical writing

4. Contents
 What really is plagiarism?
 Plagiarism…and so what?
 So, how big of a problem is it?
 Anyway… its not a ‘big’ problem in Nigeria?
 Why do writers, students,…plagiarise?
 Prevention- how do we avoid plagiarism?

5. What is plagiarism?
• From Dictionary.com:1
• “an act … of using or closely imitating the language (writing) and
thoughts (ideas, concepts,…) of another author without authorization and the
representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting
the original author…”
(emphasis, italics, parenthesis mine)

6. Plagiarism…(cont’d)
• “Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes,
results, or words without giving appropriate credit, including those
obtained through confidential review of others’ research proposals
and manuscripts.” (Office of Science and Technology Policy, 1999).
(emphasis, italics, parenthesis mine)

7. Other terms2…
• Kidnapping of words
• Kidnapping of ideas
• Fraud
• Literary theft

8. Plagiarism (cont’d)
• … of data, words, phrases, ideas, concepts…1-3
• A serious ethical crime punishable by institutions… occasionally by law4,
• Form of academic dishonesty4,5
• Not really a crime?4
• Not exactly synonymous with copyright infringement but may sometimes
constitute such4,5

9. In a literal sense, plagiarism implies:4,5
• Somenone did/wrote the work …
• … another (? you) TOOK the work
• … stripped it of the author/owner’s name
• … presented it in his/her own name (intentionally, or
unintentionally but carelessly)
• … earns the credit/reward!

10. Forms/patterns of plagiarism
• “The Reality and Solution of College Plagiarism (Health Informatics Department, University of Illinois, Chicago)
Chicago) identified the following forms:
1. Submitting someone's work as their own.
2. Taking passages from their own previous work without adding citations (self-
plagiarism)
3. Re-writing someone's work without properly citing sources.
4. Using quotations, but not citing the source.
5. Interweaving various sources together in the work without citing…
• Copied from: Wikipedia. Plagiarism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism#cite_note-28. Accessed: 3rd Jan., 2018

11. Forms/patterns of plagiarism (cont’d)
6. Citing some, but not all passages that should be cited
7. Melding together cited and uncited sections of the piece
8. Providing proper citations, but fails to change the structure and wording of
the borrowed ideas enough
9. Inaccurately citing the source
10. Relying too heavily on other people's work. Fails to bring original thought
into the text”
• Copied from: Wikipedia. Plagiarism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism#cite_note-28. Accessed: 3rd
Jan., 2018

12. Forms/patterns of plagiarism (cont’d)
• “Copying a portion of text from one or more sources, inserting and/or
deleting some of the words, or substituting some words with synonyms,
but never giving credit to its author nor enclosing the verbatim material in
quotation marks.”1
• “Another, more blatant form which may also constitute plagiarism of ideas
occurs when an author takes a portion of text from another source,
thoroughly paraphrases it, but never gives credit to its author.”1
(emphasis, italics, parenthesis mine)

13. Forms/patterns of plagiarism (cont’d)
Self-plagiarism
• “authors reuse their own previously written work or data in a ‘new’ written product
without letting the reader know that this material has appeared elsewhere.”2
• 4 major forms of self-plagiarism:
 Redundant/duplicate publication- publishing what has essentially been published in a different journal
before without indicating so
 ‘Double-dipping’(academic self-plagiarism)-e.g. submitting same dissertation to different colleges
 Salami slicing
 Copyright violation
(emphasis, italics, parenthesis mine)

14. More subtle forms of plagiarism…2
• Careless citations: poor citation and referencing
• Not citing the author who originally made the observation
• Unbalanced citation/referencing: citing only articles supporting your line of
thought/hypothesis
• ‘Citation stuffing’-inappropriately citing self
• Relying on an abstract or preliminary version of a publication while citing the current
published version
• Citing works that were not read or properly understood- relying on a secondary
summary!
• “Borrowing extensively from a source but only acknowledging a small
portion of what is borrowed.”

15. An exception…
• ‘common knowledge’
• Has context
• “When in doubt as to whether a concept or fact is common knowledge,
provide a citation.”2

16. So, how ‘big’ of a problem is plagiarism?
• One of the most common form of research misconduct1-3
• Other research misconducts:2
• Data falsification
• Data fabrication

17. Plagiarism…and so what?

18. “real-life examples of plagiarism … consequences”2
• “A biochemist resigns from a prestigious clinic after accusations that a
book he wrote contained appropriated portions of text from a
National Academy of Sciences report.
• A college president is forced to resign after allegations that he failed
to attribute the source of material that was part of a college
convocation speech.
• A member of Congress running for his party’s nomination withdraws
from the presidential race after allegations of plagiarism in one of his
speeches.
• A psychologist has his doctoral degree rescinded after the university
finds that portions of his doctoral dissertation had been plagiarized”

19. …even years after…
• A Reuters’report:6
s
Radu-Sorin Marinas. Romanian PM gives up doctorate after years of plagiarism allegations. World News. Dec 16. 2014

20. Anyway… its not a ‘big’ problem in Nigeria?
• Ask the presidency!
… presidential speech
Samuel Ogundipe. Plagiarism of Obama’s Speech: Presidency to expel deputy director from Aso Rock. Premium Times; September 19, 2016
. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/210706-plagiarism-obamas-speech-presidency-expel-deputy-director-aso-rock.html

21. Former CBN Governor sued for plagiarism…
x
• Plagiarism: Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi Sued. PM News, Lagos.
http://saharareporters.com/2012/04/23/plagiarism-nigeria%E2%80%99s-central-bank-governor-lamido-sanusi-sued-pm-news-
lagos

22. Akinbayo Wahab. How 3 Yabatech lecturers were denied promotion because of plagiarism. Published: 20.11.2017;
http://www.pulse.ng/communities/student/yabatech-lecturers-denied-promotion-because-of-plagiarism-id7621547.html
In the Nigerian academia…

23. A professor at UNICAL …
• Emmanuel Shebbs. UNICAL retires professor for alleged plagiarism. Th Nation; April 14,
2004; http://thenationonlineng.net/unical-retires-professor-alleged-plagiarism/

24. at UNAAB, Abeokuta…
Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji. Nigeria’s Agriculture University, FUNAAB, sacks professor, two other lecturers for plagiarism. Premium Times;May 21, 2013. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/135438-nigerias-
agriculture-university-funaab-sacks-professor-two-other-lectu`rs-for-plagiarism.html
Ramon Oladimeji. Plagiarism: Court orders FUNAAB to reinstate lecturers. Punch. Published January 6, 2017http://punchng.com/plagiarism-court-orders-funaab-reinstate-lecturers/
Luckily, 3 years after…
• …but ? damage on reputation…

25. From a post by Katalium7 on Nairaland…
• “Some days ago, A lecturer in one of the Nigerian universities said “ Dipo,
What you discuss with me about Plagiarism in our institutions is what has
been disturbing me even as a Lecturer in Nigeria, It is appalling that
majority of our students (Undergraduates, Graduate students and
Postgraduates (including residents) are not made aware of the grave
consequences of plagiarism”(Dipo Daramola, 2014)
(emphasis, parentheses & italics, mine)
• The Issue Of Plagiarism In Nigeria and why it should be taken seriously by Kalatium(m): 11:19am On Nov 21, 2016;
http://www.nairaland.com/3477207/issue-plagiarism-nigeria-why-it

26. Summary of a study by Orim et al8 on Nigerian
students studying in UK:
• “…in some cases, due to lack of awareness and with an educational
background that did not provide an institutional system actively
mitigating student plagiarism or presenting the issue of student
plagiarism as important, (Nigerian) students’ understanding of
plagiarism was limited, leading to fundamental academic gaps
expressed as fear when faced with the requirement of the application
of the skills.”
(emphasis, parentheses & italics, mine)

27. A study of 200 undergraduates in Gombe by
Maina et al9…
• 90% had plagiarized some time in the past
• Of 68% that cited textbooks and other sources in the bibliography
50% didn’t consult the sources cited
• 63% were partially unaware of plagiarism
• 20% were completely aware
• Sources of plagiarised materials: internet (90%)

28. Impact/consequences of plagiarism
• On individuals:
• Demotion
• Dismissal
• Retraction
• On academia:
• Loss of research integrity suffers
• Wrongly-earned promotion: corruption!
• Society:
• Fraud/corruption
• Wrong decisions: wrong clinical decision from faulty evidence-base

29. What if I don’t know (I did it unintentionally)
• … hear a lawyer on plagiarism:
• “It is no defence …to say …’I forgot’ or ‘it is only a rough
draft.’3
• So… ignorance is no excuse!

30. Why do writers, students,…plagiarise?
Ignorance
Poor writing skills!
‘Intellectual laziness’
• Paraphrasing/summarising takes time and ‘brain’ effort
Inadequate literature SEARCH, REVIEW & CRITIQUE skills
Pressure of ‘publish or perish…’ in academia
Internet- ‘copy & paste’ culture!!!

31. Prevention- how do we avoid plagiarism?
• Individual writers (students, residents, consultants)
 Take the pain and patience to develop/perfect skills in scientific/ academic writing
• “In order to make substantial modifications to the original text that result in a
proper paraphrase, the author must have a thorough understanding of the ideas
and terminology being used.”2

32. while writing…
 Keep track of your sources2
 Understand the context of the work you are citing2
• “Think about how the essential ideas of the source relate to your own work, until you can
deliver the information to others (in writing) without referring to the source.”2
• “Compare your paraphrasing with the source, to make sure you retain the intended
meaning, even if you change the words” 2
(emphasis, parentheses & italics, mine)

33. Prevention (cont’d)
 Take courses in English writing/ academic/scientific writing!
• MOOC to the rescue
• For example…(next slide)

34. https://online.stanford.edu/course/writing-sciences-self-paced-spring-2016

35. Prevention (cont’d)
 Take courses on how to avoid plagiarism e.g :
• Indiana State University online course on avoiding plagiarism:
•- a short but practical step-by-step guide on avoiding plagiarism, with certification after a test
• https://www.indiana.edu/~academy/firstPrinciples/index.html

36. The certificate…

37. Prevention (cont’d)
 Learn proper referencing
 Beware of ‘gift-authorship! If the ‘giver’ plagiarises, you are guilty as well
 Subject your works to plagiarism checkers:
• Subscription: TurnitinTM, GrammarlyTM, CrossCheckTM
• Free: many online, including phone apps like plagiarisma™
• N.B: the free ones are less robust but a combination of more than one software would give
better result

38. Training institutions/departments
 Training programs/courses in scientific writing e.g. soon after passing part 1
 Supervisors /trainers should be trained and equipped on preventing and
detecting plagiarism
 Institutions or departments should have written plagiarism policies
 Institutions should subscribe to robust plagiarism detection softwares

39. A Nigerian institution’s response…
Kukogho Iruesiri Samson. Plagiarism: University of Uyo brings out hammer. Pulse.ng. Published: 07.07.2014;
http://www.pulse.ng/communities/student/it-must-end-plagiarism-university-of-uyo-brings-out-hammer-id2968737.html

40. •Now try this
exercise…

41. True or False, the author has plagiarised?
A. source article…
• “…in some cases, due to lack of
awareness and with an
educational background that did
not provide an institutional
system actively mitigating
student plagiarism or presenting
the issue of student plagiarism
as important, (Nigerian)
students’ understanding of
plagiarism was limited, leading
to fundamental academic gaps
expressed as fear when faced
with the requirement of the
application of the skills.
B. An author’s writing using the source
article:
Orim et al9 reported that Nigerian
educational system sometimes did not
provide an institutional system actively
mitigating student plagiarism…
• Reference
1. Orim, S.I., Davies, J.W. and Borg, E.
2013. Exploring Nigerian
postgraduate students’ experience
of plagiarism: A phenomenographic
case study. International Journal for
Educational Integrity, Vol. 9 No. 1,
pp. 20–34.

42. See …
ANSWER
True: Although the author cited and referenced the source article, a Word-for-word plagiarism has been committed!
• “…in some cases, due to lack of
awareness and with an educational
background that did not provide an
institutional system actively mitigating
student plagiarism or presenting the
issue of student plagiarism as
important, (Nigerian) students’
understanding of plagiarism was
limited, leading to fundamental
academic gaps expressed as fear when
faced with the requirement of the
application of the skills
• Orim et al9 reported that Nigerian
educational system sometimes did
not provide an institutional system
actively mitigating student
plagiarism…
• Reference
1. Orim, S.I., Davies, J.W. and Borg,
E. 2013. Exploring Nigerian
postgraduate students’
experience of plagiarism: A
phenomenographic case study.
International Journal for
Educational Integrity, Vol. 9 No.
1, pp. 20–34.

43. Conclusion
• Plagiarism is rampant in our institutions
• There is increasing punitive response to plagiarism in the academia, judiciary
and media
• Its potential damage on personal career, profession and reputation may occur
years after committing the deed!
• Unfortunately, many academics/researchers are ignorant of this
• There is urgent need to cultivate ethical scientific writing cultures that mitigate
against plagiarism at every level and segment of the academia

44. THANK YOU ALL
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY!

45. References
1. Dictionary.com; http://www.dictionary.com/browse/plagiarism: Acessed 3rd Jan.,2018
2. Roig M. Avoiding plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices: A guide to ethical writing.
https://ori.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/plagiarism.pdf; Accessed 31st Dec., 2017
3. Elsevier Publishing Campus. Factsheet: Plagiarism.
https://www.publishingcampus.elsevier.com/websites/elsevier_publishingcampus/files/Guides/Quick_guide_PLA02_ENG_201
5.pdf; Accessed 31st Dec., 2017
4. Standler RB. Plagiarism in Colleges in USA: legal aspects of plagiarism, academic policy. 2012. www.rbs2.com/plag.pdf
5. Green, Stuart P. (2002). "Plagiarism, Norms, and the Limits of Theft Law: Some Observations on the Use of Criminal Sanctions
in Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights". Hastings Law Journal. 54 (1)
6. Radu-Sorin Marinas. Romanian PM gives up doctorate after years of plagiarism allegations. World News. Dec 16. 2014
7. The Issue Of Plagiarism In Nigeria and why it should be taken seriously by Kalatium(m): 11:19am On Nov 21, 2016;
http://www.nairaland.com/3477207/issue-plagiarism-nigeria-why-it
8. Orim, S.I., Davies, J.W. and Borg, E. 2013. Exploring Nigerian postgraduate students’ experience of plagiarism: A
phenomenographic case study. International Journal for Educational Integrity, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 20–34.
9. Maina AB , Maina MB & Jauro SS. Plagiarism: a perspective from a case of a Northern Nigerian University. International Journal
of Information Research & Review Vol. 1, Issue, 12, pp. 225-230 December, 2014

46. http://clipartix.com/questions-clipart-image-29256/
Questions?