Is this cheating?

[BluegrassRN]

I have a research article critique due in two separate classes. I get to choose the article. The assignments each have slightly different criteria, and the final product is two different forms (one is a template we fill out, one is a paper).

Is it wrong to do the same article? I honestly can't decide. On one hand, a lot of it is straight up duplication, though it will be presented in a different format, with assignment B requiring more depth than assignment A. On the other hand, I have done projects similar to those done in earlier, in different classes, and not felt bad about it at all. For example, in LPN school I did a project on the economics of breast feeding. It was pretty basic. Six years later, in my RN program, I did another project. The economics of breast feeding vs formula in the WIC program. I discussed my previous research and presentation with my instructor, and she didn't see anything wrong expanding upon my previous topic, particularly since it was an area of great interest to me.

In each class, I would be doing the work required of the assignment. I won't get the one assignment back before the other is due, so I won't be able to use the instructor feedback on assignment A to enhance and improve assignment B in any manner. Assignment B is for a larger grade, has more requirements, and is for an upper level class (a 300 level vs a 600 level).

Any thoughts? All comments are appreciated.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

If you are just using the same references and not copying and pasting yourself directly from a previous paper, then its not plagiarism (and yes, self plagiarism is a real thing). Over the course of my Masters program and my capstone project, I've compiled a reference list 20+ articles deep and have written many papers leading up to my final capstone paper. A lot of the articles were recycled so to speak throughout these differing assignments. But never once did I reuse one of my previous works. And if I was building upon one paper for purpose of another, I always rewrote my thoughts and summaries, or cited myself where appropriate. But certainly certain research articles can be used to answer many different assignment, because the context of the assignment and what is being asked could be different.

[sabrinna45]

No, this is not cheating. I have done this also for two differnt classes. Good luck.

[CuriousMe]

i would be curious what a lawyers take on this would be...

Since the issue is clearly defined in our Student Handbook, and each assignment states that it must comply with the academic honesty section of the student handbook.....I don't think a lawyer would take a second look.

They get to create the criteria for grading....

[benr98]

Here is a link that I found, however, there is very little about self-plagiarism. It seemed more for items that you have written that have been copywrited though. All of our course instructors have always told us to check Purdue Online Writing Lab for any information about turning in college level papers and there I could find no mention of self-plagiarism. I personally do not know if this would be plagiarism or not though since it is not copywrited, the work is your own and assuming that you have cited the paper properly.

http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/RCR/ORI_Plagiarism_Guidelines.pdf

[4evalearnin]

I do not believe that it is cheating with regard to your school work, especially if the professors do not have a problem with it. But if you have the time why not take the time to learn something new and expand your knowledge base?

[brighella]

Its one thing to use a paper you wrote as a source for another paper. Its another thing to use the same resources in different papers. In fact, orienting all your papers to one topic can get you half way to a masters thesis. I got 4 different papers for 4 different classes out of discussing aspects of music and end of life care. They all used some of the same articles I found, even as they explored different aspects. That's called efficiency

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

This was particularly helpful. Thank you!

And thanks to everyone who commented. I just needed to mull this around in my mind and hear some other thoughts. My coworkers think it's ridiculous to do the assignment twice. I'm going to have to look at the requirements more thoroughly, but it seems to me it could fall under self-plagiarism under some interpretations, and I don't want to go there.

I'll be honest, I have never ever heard the term "self plagiarism" before, and snorted my coffee out my nose when I read HeartsWideOpen's comment. Learn something new every day.

I would just talk to your professors. If they give the green light then you've saved yourself extra work and worry, and if they say no, you've protected yourself from potential academic integrity issues.

[teiladay]

Of course it isn't cheating, otherwise most of the research done all over the world would be considered "cheating" when most research is based on research that has already been done, and quite often using the exact same information... which is expected.

That's the whole point of documenting your research- so it can be tested and carried on by future researchers without them having to be redundant in their particular research when another person has done a bulk of the work already!

The fact that you're using your own work means a lot. Generally speaking, you can't cheat using your own work. No doubt there are people who will be ridiculously bent on doing an entirely different project just for the sake of it, and that's great that it makes those people feel better about themselves. But for those tuned into real life, the fact of the matter is that your project isn't likely to have any bearing on your applied nursing skill set, and a PT relying on you isn't going to give a whooptee-do whether or not you used the same information from your LPN course or High School for that matter- as long as you know how to extract and synthesize information...especially if you plan on going into research; if you are not good at gathering and reporting what you've read etc., then do a report from scratch for the practice.

Do what you have to do (within the bounds of reason) to complete your assignment with a good mark and carry on with spending your precious time trying to learn and hone applicable nursing skills and relevant knowledge without sweating the small stuff that totally doesn't matter to anyone outside of the school house and of course, those who like to be petty and trite.

[MsQueensRN, LPN, LVN]

The easiest way around "self-plagiarism" (never heard of such a thing) is to reference oneself where appropriate. However using the same source materials does not constitute autoplagiarism; only using the same opinions or conclusions.[/quote']

I was just about to ask if there truly is "self-plagiarism"

[llg, PhD, RN]

The original question in this thread is not a legal question. It is a question about school policy. Something might be technically legal (such as discussing the same research in 2 different articles) but still be against school policy.

Any student considering using much of the same work for 2 different school projects would be wise to check the school policy (and maybe with the professors involved) to make sure the school and the professors are OK with that -- because it is THEIR approval that is needed. They have the right to establish the requirements for the class -- and it might just include a requirement that the work be original and not be work that has been submitted for another class. That's the key point, not the copyright laws.

[StudentNurse2011]

In my school, self-plagiarism is still plagiarism. You might want to check with your professors and your school policy.

[shah]

Instead of asking people who don't really know the answer, ask someone who works in the learning or writing lab in your school. Look at your school policy document. I too have never heard of 'self plagiarism', but that is no proof it does not exist. Just be sure.