PLAGIARISM: An International Reader

Thieving knowledge and other creations is plagiarism. Emergence of the information technologies and the consequent information explosion, and other changes affecting research, creativity and the academia, it is becoming more and more the talk of the academic town. In the academic world and creative circles everybody is talking of it, as if all have become bitten now by this old bug. 

Plagiarism must be curbed, though it cannot be eradicated. It must be controlled to provide security and encouragement to creators on whose creative labours the society moves onto the path of overall progress. The best means is to sensitize and educate people from early childhood against this menace and its devastating consequences. 

This is an internationally commissioned compilation of articles from some of the known authorities in the field, and who have already some research to their credit. Papers fall mostly in three broader categories: theory of plagiarism and ways to curb it; attitudes towards plagiarism in different countries and various academic disciplines; and lastly, punishment for plagiarism by way of public exposure and trial of their crime and retraction of published articles.

The aim is to promote an ethical culture, and high standards of integrity and transparency in the conduct of research and publications. It is earnestly hoped these papers based on research and reflections provide some grist to the mill of scholars and activists working against plagiarism – to make society free of this plague.