What is the potential impact of not properly attributing sources?

Not properly attributing sources can have serious implications for a researcher, primarily manifesting as plagiarism, which involves using someone else's work or ideas without appropriate acknowledgment. Plagiarism not only constitutes a breach of ethical standards but also erodes trust and credibility in the researcher’s own work. When a researcher fails to give credit to original authors or sources, it diminishes the perceived integrity of their research findings and can call into question their originality and intellectual honesty.

In the academic community, credibility is paramount. Researchers build their reputations on the foundation of ethical practices, including proper citation of sources. If their research is found to include plagiarized content, they risk damage to their professional standing and may face consequences such as retraction of published work, loss of funding, or disciplinary actions from academic institutions. Thus, maintaining ethical attribution practices is essential for sustaining a trustworthy and respected research enterprise.