Document Type : Original Article
Author
National Research Institute for Science Policy
Abstract
Purpose: Plagiarism has become one of the most significant ethical challenges in academic communities. Despite extensive studies on its definitions, causes, and prevention, limited attention has been paid to its historical roots as a distinct field of study. This study identifies the intellectual origins and influential works that shaped plagiarism research.
Methodology: This applied descriptive study adopts a scientometric approach. The research population includes articles and books indexed in the Web of Science containing the keyword “Plagiarism” between 1950 and 2023. In total, 4,637 documents comprising 101,972 cited references were retrieved and analyzed using CRExplorer. Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS) and its co-citation-based extension (RPYS-CO) were employed to examine historical citation patterns and foundational co-cited works.
Findings: RPYS identified eight citation peak years corresponding to landmark publications that introduced conceptual shifts in plagiarism studies. The most prominent turning point was Rebecca Moore Howard’s 1995 article, which introduced “patchwriting” and reframed plagiarism from a punitive issue to an educational one. RPYS-CO further revealed influential sources emphasizing linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical dimensions that were less visible in the initial RPYS results.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that plagiarism research has progressed through distinct conceptual breakthroughs rather than a linear trajectory. Educational practices, language proficiency, and cultural factors play a more critical role in shaping plagiarism-related behaviors than technological detection or punitive
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