22. Skim Text 3B “Plagiarism” and try to understand what it is about. Give a brief overview of its structure and contents.

Text 3B. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is usually defined as copying or paraphrasing from others without reference to the source. Plagiarism in a thesis is completely unacceptable. It does not matter if this affects only a particular phrase, a sentence, a paragraph, a page or artwork. It is also irrelevant if the plagiarism was carried out with the intention to deceive or is just owing to sloppiness or carelessness. Collecting material and descriptions from other papers during a literature research one may seem innocent enough. Reusing these when writing up the thesis having forgotten they come from elsewhere still constitutes plagiarism: no intention is required for the fact of plagiarism.

 I once came across a particularly perfidious case where a submitted research paper cited a reference in the following manner “Assuming for the moment that X is known, we can show that Y can be obtained through the so-and-so algorithm (RefAuthor et al 2000), and …” followed by an only very slightly paraphrased copy of a whole section from Ref Author et al (2000). Clearly, there is a reference to the source, but the wording suggests that the reference only extends to the so-and-so algorithm, while the copied passages all appear to be the original work within the research paper, not that of the reference. What the authors should have done instead is writing something to the effect of “We deploy the model of RefAuthor et al (2000) faithfully, which we introduce here from the original source in full for the sake of being self-contained.” In addition, each paraphrased paragraph should have had one reference back to the original paper by RefAuthor et al. I think this case is perfi dious, as technically this does not meet the defi nition of plagiarism, because there is a reference to the source. Nevertheless, it has all the hallmarks of academic misconduct, as the reader is tricked into thinking there is much original work here when in fact there is not.

The problem with plagiarised parts of a thesis is that they appear to have been created by the thesis author, who receives the recognition for the work by others and at the same time deprives them from deserved recognition. This is unethical, unfair and stands in confl ict with an ability to carry out independent research. It is customary that PhD candidates sign a declaration of originality when submitting their thesis that all submitted material is their own except where referenced (or something to that effect). Plagiarism clearly contradicts this declaration rendering it false. Knowingly signing a false declaration with intent to gain an unfair advantage is commonly considered to be a defining element of fraud, which can then become a matter for the courts.

 Plagiarism in itself, even without proving deception on part of the author, is considered to be academic misconduct for which an awarded PhD can be revoked years or even decades later. The awarding institution basically confi rms that the bearer can carry out independent research to academic standard; hence, the institution has a right, even duty, to revoke the PhD if new evidence shows that the criteria for awarding it had not been met at the time.

 A PhD can be also revoked for all other sorts of academic misconduct, for example for making up data, experimental results, etc. If there is evidence for deception, for example through its scale or its manner, academic misconduct including plagiarism can be considered fraudulent in a legal sense. Authors, who were not cited, can sue the fraudulent thesis author for damages. I expect that the offender’s employer would also be in a position to sue for damages, while professional bodies might withdraw their recognition as well. In theory, I imagine, government bodies who awarded funding for research based on fraudulent papers could sue the perpetrator with a view to recover the awarded grant sums. Any single one of these consequences is far worse than not obtaining a PhD in the fi rst place, as highprofi le cases regularly demonstrate. Academic misconduct including plagiarism damages academia in general, and the discipline and university where it happens in particular [Rüger, 2011: 7–8].

23. Identify the topic of each paragraph of Text 3B.

24. Complete the sentences choosing the best variant corresponding to the contents of Text 3B.

1) Plagiarism is …

 a) collecting material from other papers.

 b) reusing material from other papers.

 c) collecting descriptions from other papers.

 2) A reference to the source …

 a) can be changed.

 b) should be cited properly.

 c) can be slightly paraphrased.

 3) A declaration of originality signed by PhD candidates means that …

 a) plagiarised parts can be created by the thesis author.

 b) some parts of a thesis can be plagiarised.

 c) all the material submitted is their own except where referenced.

 4) A PhD can be revoked because of …

 a) academic misconduct.

 b) independent research.

 c) meeting the criteria for awarding a PhD.

5) Plagiarism as academic misconduct …

 a) can hardly be considered fraudulent.

 b) can be sued for damagers.

 c) can’t damage academia.

Section 5. SPEAKING

25. Read what these postgraduate students say about their research work. Pay attention to the useful expressions italicized for you.

a) Bob Smith:

 I am a PhD student in Chemical Engineering, supervised by Dr. Wells. Taking a PhD course at the University of Leeds is more than just molding yourself into an effective researcher. It is about becoming an independent innovative individual, with the confidence and ability to perform in any environment. I chose the University for its strong links with industry, and I’ve really bene fi ted from opportunities to gain knowledge and skills outside of my research area, for instance business skills and commercial awareness. When I finish my PhD course, I’ll have gained more than just a qualification.

The title of my dissertation is “Developing New Hydrogen Fuel Technologies”. Hydrogen fuel cells offer clean and efficient energy generation without the need for fossil fuels. They work by converting hydrogen gas directly into electricity, and produce only water as a by-product. Although they were invented over 150 years ago, so far fuel cells have always been too expensive for mass-market applications — mainly because they contain expensive platinum catalysts and tend not to last as long as existing technologies, like petrol and diesel engines.

My research aims to reduce the amount of platinum required by the fuel cell, making the catalyst more durable in order to reduce their cost and extend their lifetime. I will reduce platinum loading by making better use of the precious metal. To improve durability, I will try to form a protective coating on the particles to prevent them from dissolving or fusing together during use.

If I am successful in achieving targets for platinum loading and catalyst durability, this will represent a signi fi cant step towards enabling widespread adoption of this technology for power generation in homes and vehicles. In turn, the replacement of dirty, inefficient engines and turbines with clean, green fuel cells will help to achieve improvements in efficiency and reductions in harmful emissions.

b) Robert Brown:

 I started my PhD course in 2011. I am going to submit my draft thesis for examination in June 2013. I hope it will be passed and the final version will be submitted in February 2014. My PhD thesis is titled “Interactive 3D Modelling in Outdoor Augmented Reality Worlds”. I am conducting my PhD research at the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Birmingham.

 My thesis presents interaction techniques for 3D modelling of large structures in outdoor augmented reality environments. Augmented reality is the process of registering projected computergenerated images over a user’s view of the physical world. With the use of a mobile computer, augmented reality can also be experienced in an outdoor environment. Working in a mobile outdoor environment introduces new challenges not previously encountered indoors, requiring the development of new user interfaces.

My thesis describes a number of novel contributions that will improve the state of the art in augmented reality technology. The augmented reality working planes technique gives the user the ability to create and edit objects at large distances using line of sight and projection techniques. This technique overcomes limitations in a human’s ability to perceive depth, and requires simple input devices that are available on mobile computers. The techniques I am going to introduce can be used to create and capture the geometry of outdoor shapes using a mobile augmented reality system with real-time verifi cation and iterative refi nement. To provide an interface for these techniques, a novel augmented reality user interface with cursors and menus was developed. To develop applications implementing these contributions, a new software architecture is going to be designed to provide a suitable abstraction to make development easier.

 Based on these contributions, a number of modelling applications will be developed to demonstrate the usefulness of these techniques. These modelling applications will allow users to walk around freely outside, and use interactions with the hands to control the task. I hope these applications will demonstrate in the fi eld to verify that the techniques will perform as claimed in the dissertation.

c) Ivan Smirnov:

 I am carrying out my research work in civil engineering. My PhD thesis is titled “Fiber-Reinforced Concrete and Bridge Deck Cracking”. The objective of my research is to identify the causes of bridge deck cracking. The thesis consists of three chapters: the first chapter is theoretical, the second and the third ones are practical. At the fi rst stage of my research I am planning to study the properties of polymer fibers to be used in concrete. Polymer fibers are a possible solution to many of the causes of bridge deck cracking, and they can improve post-cracking behaviour. The second stage is aimed to investigate different impacts of polymer fibers on concrete.

All experiments are carried out on macrofi bers and microfibers which are tested at several dosage rates to identify optimum dosage levels. I employ different research methods to study such parameters as shrinkage, compressive and tensile strength.

I have been working on my dissertation for a year. Before starting my research I studied a great amount of scientific literature and carried out a lot of experiments. I have come to the conclusion that the subject of my research has not been studied at all. This fact accounts for its topicality and novelty. If we bene fi t from this research, the results will be useful in combating the bridge deck cracking problem.

My plans for the nearest future are to write the first chapter of the dissertation and finish the experimental work to estimate the results obtained. I plan to defend my dissertation in two years though the greatest part of the work is still ahead. My research supervisor is Dr. Klimov, professor of the department of civil engineering. He helps me a lot with my research. If I have any problems concerning my work, I always consult him.

 26. Retell the above postgraduate students’ stories in your own words, using the italicized expressions. Do these stories re fl ect your own experience of doing research work?

27. Complete the sentences supplying them with information on your own research work.

 My research work I chose to continue on to postgraduate study at the University of __________ in part due to the hugely positive experience that I had here as an undergraduate (a Master’s degree student). Now I am a ______-year full-time postgraduate student. My research interests span across the following areas __________. I am carrying on research in the field of __________. The topic of my thesis is “__________”. The choice of the topic of my thesis is explained by the fact that this subject has not been studied thoroughly yet and it is very topical for __________. The aim of the study is __________. The novelty of the research can be seen __________. I apply some modern methods of scientifi c analysis __________. To check my hypothesis I will have to carry out a lot of (some) experiments. I think I will conduct both laboratory and fi eld experiments.

My thesis consists of the introduction, __________ chapters, the conclusions, the bibliography, and some supplements. In the introduction I explain the choice of the theme, draft the research goals and research methods, and summarise the content of the

chapters of my thesis shortly. The fi rst chapter titled “__________” is devoted to __________. I study __________. The title of the second chapter is “__________”. It deals with __________. I analyse __________. In the third chapter titled “_________” I study __________. Finally, I draw my conclusions, draft the new scientific achievements and the recommendations for the practical application of my findings.

I work under the guidance of Professor __________. My scientific supervisor is very supportive and always helpful to me. He invests time meeting me to discuss __________ and also gives some advice on how to publish my work and how to apply for funding. I am also involved in teaching in the department. I take part in various scientific conferences and departmental seminars which provide me with further opportunity to discuss my research. I am going to present my dissertation for defence in _____. I have already published __ articles. There is much to be done and I am continuing to work on my thesis.

28. Using the information given in the above texts, make up dialogues of your own.

 Situations: You meet your friend and talk about: a) progress in your research; b) your thesis.

29. Speak on your research work. Use the above texts and the dialogues made up as a model.