Ethics: Research, Ideas and Citing

Ethics covers a wide range of subjects, actions, and even thoughts. Similarly, writing ethically involves many steps: appropriate research, original ideas, and thorough citing.

In order to write ethically, one must first obtain good sources to back up a particular argument. Arguments with no evidence to support them tend to be weak, incomplete or just plain wrong. While it is important to find good, strong research to back up arguments, often times finding ethical sources is more important. Sometimes the most powerful, dogmatic sources aren't always the best evidence. Often times, a more speculative article, without exaggeration, can prove to be more relevant for proving a claim. Even though extremely one sided and exaggerated sources may seem the most convincing, they often provide a sense of dogmatism to the argument as a whole. It is important in writing to do enough research to have a general knowledge of what one's topic is, and be able to distinguish between fact and the possible stretch of truth within articles.

Secondly, once the proper research has been done, it is key that the writer comes up with his own original ideas. Simply summarizing sources does not prove an effective argument; this is also a form of plagiarism. By introducing new ideas, not only is one preventing plaguerism, but he is also potentially begging deeper questions into the chosen topic: adding a reason for the reader to read such a paper. In writing a paper, it is crucial that the ideas are the writers own work.

Lastly, after all this is done, the author most appropriately name his sources. Having no sources, or incorrectly cited sources not only is a form of plagiarism, but also hints that the argument has little validity, for it displays no professionalism. Authors work hard to have their works published. It is only fair that their original ideas, if presented in one's paper to strengthen an argument, are credited to the person who came up with them. All of human society depends on the fusing of ideas to make better ones. Nothing we say or do can be attributed to us alone, but rather a combination of many ideals and things we have experienced in life. It would be unfair and rather naive to believe one person can come up with a complex argument entirely out of thin air.

With all this said, it is very important to strengthen the ethical nature of writing. With so much technology out there, it is very easy to get lazy and use other's ideas, but as students striving to receive a higher education, we should know better; we should instead take advantage of the hard work associated with coming up with original ideas and make the most of our education experience.