The Science Academy Statement on Plagiarism is as follows: “Council of State’s latest comment on plagiarism has drawn attention to this issue which constitutes a widespread and deep-rooted moral and scientific problem. According to this comment by the Council of State on applicable law and regulations, those who commit plagiarism will not be discharged of their position as faculty members.
Plagiarism means stealing elements and information from someone else’s work, and presenting these as one’s own. In ethical terms, plagiarism is not different from theft or fraud for personal gain. Lack of sanctions against forgery concerning the accuracy, origin and ownership of information at universities, in the world of science and education or in informative publications will inevitably bring down moral standards in the younger generation and the society as a whole. Forgery in the field of science will have an adverse impact on the professional competence of young individuals trained in this field, and as a result on the productivity and well-being of the society at large.
Just like economic corruption, plagiarism must be monitored in a meticulous, open and just fashion regardless of the title, position and connections of those who engage in it, and due sanctions and punishment must be implemented. If the judiciary, while interpreting applicable laws and regulations, rules that acts of plagiarism shall not meet with sanctions, universities and YÖK should not take this comment for granted and instead initiate work on an efficient and just piece of legislation on plagiarism, and communicate their suggestions to legislative and executive branches and the general public. Universities must announce their principles concerning integrity and plagiarism in an open fashion. We invite political parties and members of parliament to legislate transparent and just regulations on the matter.”
