12 Issues in Researching
As a researcher, you are responsible for ensuring that the information you gather and use is valid. Additionally, it is also imperative that your research is presented correctly. The following are among the more problematic issues related to research.
Misinformation
The internet provides us access and connectivity to massive information stores for research. It also allows us to publish and share our research with others. Although this powerful tool enables creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial endeavors, it is also used for counterproductive – even harmful – purposes.
In Digital Citizenship, Sarah Gibbs (2021) defines misinformation as simple, “wrong or misleading information.” Gibbs further breaks this definition by noting that misinformation may not always be intentional but somewhat incomplete or unclearly presented information.
When someone knowingly presents flawed or false information, this is sometimes called disinformation. In recent years, so-called fake news has been a term used to describe sources of information that knowingly broadcast incorrect, misleading, or false news stories to their audience. Accusations of being fake news are also cast on news sources when people disagree with the information being presented. This is made more difficult when organizations (such as Fox News) argue that their information is more for entertainment than factual information.
Misinformation is especially difficult to correct once consumed by an uncritical audience. Even when news organizations correct information, it can be difficult for those invested in that information to correct their own perspective (Cook, Ecker, & Lewandowsky, 2015). This can have deadly consequences: a recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that those communities who consumed misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic were the worst impacted by the illness.
Because of misinformation, it has become even more important for us to genuinely conduct our own research – not just present information that confirms our own beliefs. When conducting research, it is our responsibility to ensure that our sources are sound and verifiable. We should also be sure to cite our sources. This way, others can also verify the information we’ve provided!
Plagiarism
When at school, plagiarism is one of the biggest concerns of students, instructors, and administrators alike. This form of “academic misconduct” is, according to a 2010 study, a source of confusion and several other negative responses, including confusion, fear, and anxiety about potential consequences (Gullifer and Tyson). With the popularization of ChatGPT (Barnett, 2023) and several high-profile cases of plagiarism in the news, the subject has become even more complex and concerning.
Simply put, plagiarism is sharing ideas and information while passing them off as your own work. We should never take credit for someone else’s ideas – that goes without saying – but sometimes it can happen unintentionally:
Sometimes, writers forget to add quotation marks to a quote. This common yet simple mistake should be looked for when reviewing your work.
Improper paraphrasing can also be viewed as plagiarism. Paraphrasing is when we rework someone else’s ideas in our own words. This is an important skill to practice because using others’ words and ideas too much can detract from your own argument. It can also help maintain a consistent voice and tone in your work. There are several examples of paraphrasing on this page!
Inaccurate citations, which can prevent readers from verifying sources, are also considered plagiarism. Double-checking citations and references is an important part of the review process. Take time and ensure that your Works Cited and References pages are perfect!
For some examples of plagiarism, check out the Univerisity of Wisconsin-Green Bay library’s resource guide on the subject.
