Presentation Title
Citations as Expressions of Fairness, Helpfulness, and Decorum
Type of Presentation
Individual paper/presentation
Type of Presentation
Individual paper/presentation (20 minute presentation)
Target Audience
Higher Education
Location
PARB 255
Relevance
N/A
Abstract
Much of the literature on academic integrity focuses on misconduct; there is little discussion of what constitutes ethical academic practice (Macfarlane, Zhang, Pun (2014); Blum (2009); East and Donnelly (2012)). I argue for teaching ethical use of sources in terms of three social values that are expressed in context-specific aways: fairness, helpfulness, and decorum. I interrogate a number of examples to show how each of these values is necessary to make sense out of academic citation practice. Though we know concepts of originality, textual ownership, and citation are complex and differ across contexts, media, and cultures, plagiarism is still widely treated as a black-and-white moral matter which can be sufficiently explained by warnings, threats, and fear of severe consequences (Valentine (2006); Howard (2000)). I propose that thinking of (and teaching) ethical use of sources in terms of these three values helps to distinguish between the more serious moral issues and the less serious cultural literacy issues.
Presentation Description
Argues for teaching ethical use of sources in terms of three social values that are expressed in context-specific aways: fairness, helpfulness, and decorum. Interrogates a number of examples to show how each of these values is necessary to make sense out of academic citation practice.
Session Goals
To advocate for a new way of thinking about and teaching ethical use of sources across contexts, but, particularly in academic writing.
Keywords
Ethical use of sources, academic integrity, citation practice, plagiarism
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Keane, Drew Nathaniel, "Citations as Expressions of Fairness, Helpfulness, and Decorum" (2020). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 55.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2020/2020/55
Citations as Expressions of Fairness, Helpfulness, and Decorum
PARB 255
Much of the literature on academic integrity focuses on misconduct; there is little discussion of what constitutes ethical academic practice (Macfarlane, Zhang, Pun (2014); Blum (2009); East and Donnelly (2012)). I argue for teaching ethical use of sources in terms of three social values that are expressed in context-specific aways: fairness, helpfulness, and decorum. I interrogate a number of examples to show how each of these values is necessary to make sense out of academic citation practice. Though we know concepts of originality, textual ownership, and citation are complex and differ across contexts, media, and cultures, plagiarism is still widely treated as a black-and-white moral matter which can be sufficiently explained by warnings, threats, and fear of severe consequences (Valentine (2006); Howard (2000)). I propose that thinking of (and teaching) ethical use of sources in terms of these three values helps to distinguish between the more serious moral issues and the less serious cultural literacy issues.
