Your subordinate has submitted a report to you, and you find out that parts of the report are plagiarized. What will you do?
Ask your subordinate to completely rewrite the plagiarized parts in his own words
Dealing with Plagiarism in a Subordinate's Report
Finding plagiarism in a report submitted by a subordinate is a serious issue. It's important to handle the situation professionally and ethically, focusing on correcting the problem and educating the subordinate.
Analysing Options for Handling Plagiarism
Let's look at the given options and evaluate each one:
- Option 1: Accept the report as it is
Accepting a plagiarized report is unethical and unprofessional. It condones academic or professional dishonesty and can have negative consequences for you, your team, and the organization if the plagiarism is later discovered. This is not a responsible way to handle the situation.
- Option 2: Change the plagiarized parts yourself without telling the subordinate
While this might seem like a quick fix, it doesn't address the root problem. The subordinate doesn't learn why plagiarism is wrong or how to properly cite sources or write in their own words. It also takes away their responsibility for the work and can breed resentment or dependency.
- Option 3: Tell your subordinate to make only cosmetic changes to the plagiarized parts
Cosmetic changes (like changing a few words) do not eliminate plagiarism. True plagiarism involves using someone else's ideas or words without proper attribution. Allowing only minor changes still leaves the core issue unresolved and teaches the subordinate that superficial alterations are sufficient, which is misleading and incorrect.
- Option 4: Ask your subordinate to completely rewrite the plagiarized parts in his own words
This is the most appropriate course of action. It directly addresses the plagiarism by requiring the subordinate to produce original work. It provides a learning opportunity, reinforcing the importance of academic integrity and proper writing skills. This approach ensures the final report is ethical and that the subordinate understands the seriousness of plagiarism and how to avoid it in the future.
Best Course of Action
Based on the analysis, asking the subordinate to completely rewrite the plagiarized sections is the best way to handle the situation. It promotes integrity, accountability, and professional development.
Important Questions from Course of Action
In this question, a statement is followed by two courses of action, numbered I and II. You must assume everything in the statement to be true and on the basis of the information given in the statement, decide which course of action/s logically follows for pursuing.
Statement: A large number of the people of the city are diagnosed to be suffering from Malaria disease.
Course of Action:
I. The city municipal authorities should take immediate steps to carry out extensive fumigation in the city.
II. The people in the area should be advised to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
In this question, a statement is followed by two courses of action, numbered I and II. You must assume everything in the statement to be true and on the basis of the information given in the statement, decide which course of action/s logically follows for pursuing.
Statement: There is a large increase in migration of villagers to urban areas as repeated crop failure has put them into financial problems.
Course of action:
I. The villagers should be provided with an alternate source of income in their villages which will make them stay there only.
II. To ensure their survival, the migrated villagers should be given access to all housing options in urban areas.
In this question, a statement is followed by two courses of actions, numbered I and II. You must assume everything in the statement to be true and on the basis of the information given in the statement, decide which of the course of action/s logically follow for pursuing.
Statement: Some serious mistakes were found in the technical section of a company. Course of Action:
I. An efficient technical team should be appointed to check the technical errors.
II. A reason explanation notice should be issued to all the employees involved in the irregularities.
Read the given statement and courses of action carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statement is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given courses of action logically follow(s) from the statement.
Statement:
Road accidents are going to increase day by day.
Courses of Action:
I. Government should start awareness programmes that promote following traffic rules strictly.
II. Government should put a limit on registration of new vehicles.
Consider the given statement to be true and decide which of the given courses of action logically follow(s) from the statement.
Statement:
Many private schools in Bangalore charge more fees than the government-prescribed limits.
Course of Action:
1. Strict action should be taken against such schools.
2. Such schools should be shut down.
