Which one of the following best describes the ethical implications of self-plagiarism?

Self-plagiarism involves reusing one’s own previously published work without appropriate citation or acknowledgment. This practice raises ethical concerns because it can mislead readers about the novelty and originality of a piece of work. By presenting reused content as entirely new or original, the author can create a false impression regarding the contribution being made to the field, which undermines the integrity of the research process.

Questions about originality emerge because academic work is expected to provide new insights, data, or viewpoints. Self-plagiarism can create confusion about whether a contribution has already been included in previous work, thereby affecting the perceived validity and credibility of both the current and earlier publications. Engaging in self-plagiarism can potentially harm an author's reputation and disrupt the academic conversation, which is reliant on transparency and authenticity in reporting research findings.