Introduction
Ethics in the academic world is as important as in any other sphere. There are a variety of ethical issues in this area. One of these issues is ethical conduct while completing academic papers.
Some claim that there is nothing unethical in using such works as they can be seen as any other resource for an academic paper. Others argue that students are overwhelmed with tasks and these papers are very helpful. Nonetheless, there are certain elements that make the use of the service quite unethical.
Academic Research
In the first place, it is necessary to identify the major features and goals of an academic paper. Clearly, students implement tasks to obtain a deeper understanding of a topic through extensive research (Resnik, 2011). Notably, these two elements are equally important. Thus, the student learns about a particular topic and simultaneously obtains skills which help him/her search for information and analyze it.
Therefore, these papers prevent students who use them from obtaining critical thinking and writing skills. This type of assignment becomes useless if students resort to the service. It is also doubtless that the use of the service is unethical as the student uses ideas of another person without referring to the author (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2013).
The Service
At the same time, it is necessary to identify whether the service itself is unethical. Clearly, the service is often used by students who do not research and simple read the paper and submit it (or even submit it without reading). However, students may use the paper as a draft or a template, not as a complete paper. Selling cigarettes or alcohol are also quite unethical types of business.
However, people claim that it is each individual’s choice whether to buy or not to buy those harmful things. Likewise, it is the student’s choice whether to resort to the service or not, whether he/she wants to study properly or he/she chooses to know nothing on the matter.
Therefore, the major burden of fault is still on students who use the service. Some note that the service is a great temptation and abundance of companies providing the service leave young and vulnerable people without choice (Schulman, 2004). This argument can slightly reduce students’ responsibility and put a part of the blame on educators who do not explain harmfulness and negative outcomes of the use of the service.
The Use of the Service
To address the issue, it is necessary to employ a complex approach. Educators have to invest their time to explain the dark side of the use of the service.
Students have to understand the aim of their studies as they are not confined to getting good marks but gaining the necessary experience and knowledge which will be applicable in their career lives. Apart from this, it is also necessary to introduce stricter regulations where expulsion can be one of punishments.
It is also possible to consider the use of social networks or the school’s website to make the case public. This may also prevent people from using the service as this may have significant outcomes in the student’s academic or career life.
Clearly, it is important to improve tools to detect plagiarism and the use of such services. This approach may be utilized in all educational establishments nationwide but the approach has to be subjected to changes as it should respond to the changing academic environment.
Reference List
Hartman, L., DesJardins, J., & MacDonald, C. (2013). Business ethics: Decision making for personal integrity & social responsibility. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Resnik, D.B. (2011). What is ethics in research & why is it important? Web.
Schulman, M. (2004). Internet ethics: I have a question. Web.