Plagor

Plagor is a term used to describe acts of plagiarism—the practice of presenting another person’s work, ideas, or expressions as one’s own without proper attribution. Plagor can include copying text, data, images, or software, as well as the misattribution of ideas or methods. The term is used in academic, journalistic, and creative contexts and is addressed by codes of research integrity and copyright law in many jurisdictions.

Forms and scope: Plagor ranges from direct verbatim copying without quotation or citation to more subtle forms such as mosaic or patchwork plagiarism, where phrases or ideas are combined from multiple sources without proper attribution. Self-plagor refers to reusing one’s own previously published work without disclosure. Accidental plagor can occur through inadequate note-taking or unfamiliar citation standards.

Detection and consequences: Institutions employ plagiarism-detection software and peer review to identify plagor. Penalties vary but can include warnings, grade penalties, course failure, disciplinary probation, or more severe actions such as suspension or degree revocation. Legal consequences may arise under copyright law when protected material is copied without permission.

Prevention and best practices: The most effective defense is rigorous attribution: using quotation marks for direct quotes, paraphrasing with proper citation, and following an approved citation style. Maintaining complete source records, understanding copyright restrictions, and using plagiarism-check tools during drafting help reduce risk.

See also: Plagiarism; intellectual property; academic integrity; copyright law.