Self-Plagiarism: Definition, Examples and How to Avoid it

Max is finishing his master's degree. He is asked to write a thesis to demonstrate his academic training. He chose to address a topic he had already studied before and wishes to continue this work. Only, he wonders if this is going to be considered self-plagiarism. As we know, plagiarism is attributing others' work to yourself. And, when you reuse an old assignment, you might think you're not harming anyone. Can you plagiarize yourself by plagiarizing your own work? Why waste time writing new content if you've already covered the subject in a previous assignment?

When working on an individual written production (report, dissertation, thesis, internship report, article or essay..), whenever existing texts are quoted, it is imperative to apply citation rules even if the author is the same as the original document. Since it is a different work, it is important to lay out what constitutes the «old» production and what belongs to the «new» production.

In this article, you'll find self-plagiarism explained, along with key examples of self-plagiarism and practical tips to avoid it.

Summary 

• Definition of self-plagiarism
• Is self-plagiarism allowed? Is it bad?
• Why is self-plagiarism bad? Why is it serious?
• Plagiarism and self-plagiarism: equal sanctions
• Self-plagiarism: examples
• How to avoid self-plagiarism?

Definition of self-plagiarism

Here is the definition of self-plagiarism according to the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS):

« Self-plagiarism occurs when an author partially or entirely « recycles » previously published content without citing the sources. This practice can constitute a breach of ethic rules if the document or the excerpts recycled were already published since they do not comply with the duty of only submitting original works. » "Practical guide “Integrity and responsibility in research practises”" CNRS Ethics Committee.

Is self-plagiarism allowed? Is it bad?

Well, we’ve already partially answered this question, but you’re probably still curious to know more!

Is self-plagiarism legally allowed? Is it bad?
Can you plagiarize yourself or not really?

The answer is simple: legally speaking, self-plagiarism is still a form of plagiarism. It’s bad, and you cannot plagiarize yourself. It is essential to mention the work you drew inspiration from, even if it belongs to you.

To do so, make sure to follow the citation standards used by your institution, such as APA, MLA, etc.

Self-plagiarism undermines critical thinking, reflection, and the added value of research

The goal of any academic work is to contribute a new perspective, analysis, or insight into a specific topic. When you reuse your previous work without adding anything new, you fail to bring fresh ideas to the table. Instead of advancing the conversation or deepening understanding, you simply recycle old material, leaving little to no added value to the research.

This lack of added value is one of the main reasons self-plagiarism is so problematic. Research thrives on the ability to expand upon existing knowledge, offering new angles and insights. Without this intellectual growth, the progression of research stagnates, and the broader dialogue on important subjects remains limited. In academic writing, it's essential to bring something new to the table – this is how knowledge evolves and how critical thinking is nurtured.

Self-plagiarism skews evaluations and games reward systems

"What is at stakes here is not only a clear identification of the author (who in this case is the same), but also the understanding that minor or substantial portions of the text come from a previous work , and are consequently , not part of a new production.

How then can it be possible to assess the new effort made as well as the input of new concepts and ideas?
Should we consider normal the fact that someone might be rewarded multiple times, sometimes even paid several times for a work that has simply been duplicated?" "Why Is Redundant Publication a Problem?" E.Wager, 2015. 

Paraphrasing

You decide not to use quotation marks and italics to cite a passage from an assignment you've previously written. You prefer to paraphrase, by restating the idea in other words. In this particular case as well, you must indicate the source so as not to be accused of plagiarism or more precisely, self-plagiarism.

Personal writing

You wrote a post for your personal blog. It isn't part of an essay, paper or academic research-based work. You decide to use it to support your topic on an assignment. Beyond granting points based on if you've cited your personal sources correctly, teachers will appreciate your enthusiasm for writing.

Also discuss it with your teacher. This is especially important if your university does not explicitly state whether self-plagiarism is acceptable or not. If your teacher gives you permission to use your old work, be sure to cite yourself using your chosen format.

For scholars/researchers, check the publication guidelines on this topic. Like universities, journals have different guidelines on how they view self-plagiarism. Some forbid it, while others allow a minimal amount as long as an appropriate citation is provided. This is extremely important if you are in some specifics fields like biomedical.

Max, now you understand that recycling old material isn't original. This unintentional form of plagiarism is called self-plagiarism. The reader expects to see original research. Citation rules apply for all duplicated content, even your own. You can't plagiarize your own work.
Self-plagiarism is punishable just like plagiarism. Therefore, you can reuse your own writing from another document, provided the source is indicated.

Sources:

• "When is ‘self-plagiarism’ OK? New guidelines offer researchers rules for recycling text", Cathleen O’Grady.
• "The Etienne Klein "affair": "Copying yourself" is self-plagiarism", S.Maouche.
• "Practical guide “Integrity and responsibility in research practises”" CNRS Ethics Committee.
• "Self-Plagiarism, Plagiarism and Scientific Fraud" Michelle Bergadaà.
• "Why Is Redundant Publication a Problem?" E.Wager.

 

To go further:

• "Academic Integrity and Plagiarism", Cummings graduate institute.
• "University Writing Center: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY", A.T. Still memorial library.
• "Citations: Citing Yourself". Walden University, Education for good.
• "Helping to Promote Academic Integrity on the UCI Campus", Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct.
• "Is recycling your own work plagiarism?" Turnitin.
• "Can you plagiarize yourself?" Scribbr. 
• "Plagiarizing Yourself". James M.Lang.