[tips] Plagiarism & general knowledge

[Dap Louw]

I have always struggled to determine where to draw the line between plagiarism 
and general knowledge.  The general view in South Africa is that you do not 
have to use a reference if the information has become general knowledge.  In 
other words,  According to Freud the psyche consists of the id, ego and 
superego   or   Watson was an American psychologist  does not need a reference.

However, it often gets tricky.  Allow me to use a pretty naive example (my 
apologies):

*  Columbus arrived in America in 1492.  I assume every American knows this, 
but probably less than 0,001% of South Africans do.  Does it mean that South 
Africans have to use a reference but not Americans?  My family and I spent some 
time in the US and I therefore knew it.  Am I excluded?

*  Columbus arrived in America in 1492 and more specifically on 12 October.  Is 
this general kowledge in the US? If so, what about:

*   Columbus arrived in America in 1492 and more specifically on 12 October at 
14:00  (fictitious).

*   Columbus arrived in America in 1492 and more specifically on 12 October at 
14:00 and saw a three dead whales floating in the sea (fictitious)

When do we start using references in these cases?  I assume very few Americans 
would know about the whales, but what about American history lecturers who see 
this as general knowledge among themselves?

In South Africa we have a system of external examiners for thesis and 
dissertations.  In most cases at least one (sometimes all) of them must be from 
an international university.  They see the thesis/dissertation for the first 
time when they receive it.  In many cases these external examiners focus more 
on correct referencing, list of references and other technical aspects, rather 
than the content, often postponing the students’ graduation.  Not to mention 
the obsession (fetish?) with the different academic systems of reference 
(Harvard, APA, Oxford, Vancouver, MLA, etc) --- of which there are a few 
thousand.

Please say you understand my frustration! ☺

Dap

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Dap Louw
Extraordinary Professor: Psychology
Buitengewone Professor: Sielkunde
Faculty / Fakulteit: The Humanities / Geesteswetenskappe
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