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Citation matters: two essays on the student journey of citation and how Google Scholar and the principle of least effort can affect academic writing

  • Avtar Natt
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

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Abstract

The paper consists of two short essays on citation matters. The aim is to get the academy thinking about citing and referencing from a student point of view. The first essay (on the student journey of citation) is an attempt of a framework for the academic writer, from the time they are an undergraduate student to an academic researcher. The worldview of citing and referencing is argued to develop in accordance to academic level. The second essay is on academic writing and the principle of least effort. With a few searches on Google Scholar, cyberplagiarism and the pilfering of citation context was demonstrated. With emphasis on patchwriting, the temptation of the academic writer to corner cut is not argued as being exclusive to students but more apparent by students. Technology is also argued to create a conflict for the academic writer showing a path where they can reduce effort.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of pedagogic development (Volume 3.0, Issue 2.0)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 07/2013

Publication status

Published - 07/2013

ISSN

2047-3265

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/335945

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