Algorithms and review papers

Question

Suppose a review of algorithms used to solve a particular problem is to be written. Is it considered plagiarism or malpractice if the algorithms to be reviewed are copied verbatim?

Do the algorithms have to be 'paraphrased' before reviewing?

Answer 1

There are at least three distinct, though inter-related, issues here:

• Plagiarism: As long as you properly cite your sources and you make it clear that you are reproducing the algorithms verbatim, there is no issue or concern about plagiarism. Plagiarism only applies if you are pretending that what you are presenting is your own original work.

• Length in your own article: If the algorithms are lengthy, it might be excessively lengthy to copy them in your review. However, if it is essential that your readers see the full algorithms within your review (which is usually not necessary for merely commenting on them), then you might consider reproducing the full algorithms in an appendix rather than in the main body of the text.

• Copyright violation: This is a sticky issue, but in general, if you copy too much from a copyrighted article (unless it is distributed as open access), then there might be a concern about copyright violation if you copy too much from any source. What "too much" means is legally murky (and it varies across legal jurisdiction), but as a very general rule of thumb, you should not copy so much that the reader decides that since you have given them the algorithm, there is no need for them to consult the original source. (I'm not a lawyer, though, so that's not legal advice.)

Based on these three issues, I suggest:

• Be sure to properly cite all sources and make it explicitly clear whenever you copy anything verbatim.
• Don't copy entire algorithms unless absolutely necessary. It usually isn't necessary to copy the whole thing to make your point; copy only the partial pieces necessary.
• If you feel you have to copy an entire algorithm, make sure that you don't make your review a substitute for reading the original article (e.g., the algorithm is the only important part of the original article). If you are replacing the original, then don't copy it at all; rather refer readers to the original source, especially if it is not open access.
• If you have to copy an entire algorithm and you feel you are justified to do so, then place it in an appendix, not in your main article text.

Answer 2

Any verbatim copying of a long block of text, including if that block of text is an algorithm, would be plagiarism if it is not attributed. However, you can avoid plagiarism by stating explicitly that your description of the algorithm is copied verbatim from another source, and citing the source. Then you cannot be accused of plagiarism, although it may still be considered poor or lazy writing if a substantial amount of your review is copied from other sources.