Research Ethics and Cyberspace Part 1: Using the Internet as a Research Resource 1 2 : Classroom Discussion to take the work or an idea of (someone) and pass it off as one s own (Oxford Dictionary of British English). In a group, think of 2-3 ways in which people who plagiarise try to make it look as if they have not plagiarised. = to quote, paraphrase or summarize somebody else s work without providing an in-text reference Think of the ways in which you, if you were the teacher, would find them out! 3 4
Assumption: academic writing either presents original arguments based on your research, or it is literature review. In-text references distinguish your original ideas and literature review. Omitting in-text references make it look like you have done original research when you have not. is lying or fraud. The consequences are severe For professional researchers: withdrawn publications and dismissal For students: failed courses a permanent record of your cheating a plagiarized graduation thesis you cannot graduate 5 6 Never, ever quote, paraphrase or summarize other people s work without a proper in-text reference. In-text references are not necessary for general knowledge. Coming to the same conclusions or using the same wording by coincidence is not plagiarism. Copy and Paste In the computer/internet age it is easy to copy and paste. This is not a problem, as long as you give an in-text reference. Basic rule for referencing online sources: give both the website url and the access date. 7 8
The Access Date Websites and documents on the internet can be changed, moved or deleted at any time. Writing the access date tells readers when the information you found was available. Handy Hint: Using Wikipedia Wikipedia is useful, but your professors typically do not like to see Wikipedia used as an in-text reference. 1. We do not know who authors Wikipedia pages. 2. Wikipedia entries can be edited frequently. Create an archive of all webpages that you have used in your research. Print out websites or save them as pdf files and record the access date. 9 10 Communication in the Email Age Part 2: Email Etiquette Emails make communication very quick and easy. But, there is often a risk of being hasty. Proper email etiquette a vital professional skill (and therefore we learn it properly on MJSP). 11 12
Discuss the usage of the following in the opening greeting of an email Dr Mr/Ms Professor First name Surname Full name Ms Mrs Dear Hi No greeting word at the beginning of your mail Opening Address Distant and bureaucratic, but polite: Dear Philip Seaton, To Dr Philip Seaton Polite: Dear Dr Seaton, Dear Professor Seaton Friendly: Hello Dr Seaton, Dear Philip Casual: Hi Philip, Philip Condescending: Hi Prof Seaton, Dear Seaton 13 14 Hints If you do not know which is their given name, what their title is, or what gender they are, use Dear + Full Name: e.g. Dear Sam Watson. With Japanese people (or people in Japan), Dear Suzuki sensei or Dear Suzuki san works well. Look to see how the other person signs his/her mail for a hint about how they would like to be called. When Making Requests Always think about the obligations of the person who will respond. Under what circumstances are people obliged to respond to your mail? Under what circumstances are they not obliged to respond to your mail? How does this affect the tone of your request? 15 16
Signing your name What are the differences between the following closing greetings to your mail? Don t forget to have an email signature ==================== Dr Philip Seaton, MA (Cantab), MA (Sussex), DPhil (Sussex) Professor, Modern Japanese Studies Program. Personal Website: www.philipseaton.net MJSP Website: http://www.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/mjsp MJSP Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/modernjapanesestudiesprogram Address: Office of International Affairs, Hokkaido University, North 15, West 8, North Ward, Sapporo 060-0815, JAPAN. Telephone: +81-(0)11-706-8015 ==================== Best wishes, With all best wishes, All the best, Best, Regards, Warmest regards, Yours sincerely, Sincerely, Yours, Cheers, Love, Love from, Conclusion: Being professional starts at university 17 18