Researchers’ Experiences in Encountering Citation Ethical Challenges: A Case Study of PhD Students of Isfahan University

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Information Science and Scientology, Isfahan University

2 Associate Professor, Department of Information Science and Scientology, Isfahan University

Abstract

One of the important issues of research and publication of its results in the form of scientific texts is observation of research ethic. But, currently the ethics of citation, as a part of research ethic, faces serious challenges. The present study is an attempt to study the experience of researchers in the field of citation behavior and its ethical challenges, instances of unethical citation and also the factors that prepares the grounds and incentive for students to refrain from observing the ethics of citation. Phenomenological method was used in this qualitative study. The research population consisted of 19 PhD students of the departments of Education and Psychology of Isfahan University. In the light of the analysis of the data gathered through interview with the researchers, regarding the citation ethic, overall five main categories were identified including types of citation, citation inclination, influence of colleagues, skill and training, laws and mechanisms.

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