Why You Should Avoid Even Recycling Your Own Work

Some people are caught time and again plagiarizing other peoples’ works. However, can it be considered plagiarism when you recycle your own work? Self-plagiarism is also another component of plagiarism, which means that it would be wrong to even recycle your own work.

Is self-plagiarism possible?

Many people suggest that it is not possible to avoid self-plagiarism. They say that it should be merely considered as recycling one’s one work rather than being called “self-plagiarism.” Many people argue that it cannot be called plagiarism. However, many have lost their jobs due to self-plagiarism.

Why is self-plagiarism an ethical issue?

The biggest ethical issue involved in self-plagiarism is not notifying the relevant authorities that you are using your own past work in your current works. Self-plagiarism is the practice of using one’s own past works without mentioning that they have used their past work. The audience expects originality in one’s work and if one’s past work is referred to without mentioning it in the current work, then it can be unethical. Even though there are no specific self-plagiarism laws anywhere in the world, the copyright issues that are associated with self-plagiarism can lead one to land in trouble with the legal authorities.

How can one avoid self-plagiarism?

Even though it is impossible for the plagiarist to sue himself, the other concerned or affected parties can sue you if you plagiarize your own work, stating that it is a dual work. It can be illegal if you submit your own previous work again for publication to another institution. Journalists, for example, are warned not to send their articles for publication to various institutions. In order to avoid self-plagiarism, you should acknowledge the source of your own previously published article. Alternatively, find a different way of explaining your article instead of quoting it blindly.

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