UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, D and E correctly link collaborative tools with academic integrity, while C and F are clearly unacceptable. Shared documents do support group drafting and require proper citation of external sources. Version history aids in tracking who contributed what, and institutional policies clarify boundaries of acceptable collaboration. Claims that plagiarism disappears in shared spaces or that unacknowledged copy-paste is acceptable are false, so any combination including C or F cannot be correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits E, which recognises the importance of institutional policies governing collaboration and plagiarism. While A, B and D are true, they do not fully capture the policy framework within which collaboration occurs. The absence of E makes this combination incomplete as an answer to the question.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it includes all and only the true statements A, B, D and E. It emphasises collaborative drafting, continued need for citation, traceability through version history and the role of policies. By excluding C and F, it rejects the mistaken belief that shared documents remove plagiarism concerns or legitimise unattributed copying.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it incorporates C along with otherwise true statements. Statement C falsely asserts that plagiarism is no longer a concern when everyone can edit a document. Including this statement normalises unethical behaviour, so the presence of C invalidates the whole combination.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it introduces F and omits A. Statement F condones unattributed copying, which contradicts academic integrity principles. Leaving out A also means ignoring the basic benefit of collaborative tools, so this set cannot be accepted as correct.

Plagiarism occurs when a researcher presents someone else’s work, ideas or words as their own without giving appropriate credit through citation or acknowledgment. It violates academic honesty and misleads readers about the origin of the ideas or text. Plagiarism undermines trust in research and can lead to serious professional and legal consequences. Because the stem describes using another author’s words or ideas without proper acknowledgement, it is clearly referring to plagiarism.

Option A:
Fabrication involves making up data, results or sources that never actually existed, then presenting them as genuine. Although it is also a serious ethical violation, it differs from plagiarism, which is about misappropriating existing work. The stem does not mention inventing data, so fabrication is not the correct answer.

Option B:
Plagiarism can take many forms, such as copying text verbatim without quotation marks, paraphrasing without citation or submitting someone else’s work as one’s own. In all cases, it falsely suggests that the plagiarised material is original to the current author. Since the stem mentions using another author’s words or ideas without acknowledgement, plagiarism accurately names the misconduct.

Option C:
Informed consent refers to obtaining voluntary permission from participants after explaining the nature, purpose, risks and benefits of the study. It is concerned with the rights and autonomy of research participants, not with the use of published material in reports. Therefore, informed consent does not fit the situation described.

Option D:
Debriefing is the process of explaining the true purpose and procedures of a study to participants after their involvement, especially in cases where some deception was used. It relates to ethical treatment of participants during and after data collection, not to the handling of other authors’ texts. Hence, debriefing is not the appropriate term here.

Plagiarism occurs when someone presents others’ ideas, words or data as their own without adequate acknowledgement. Correct scholarly practice requires that all borrowed materials be referenced according to recognised styles such as APA, MLA or Chicago. ICT tools like reference managers and plagiarism checkers can support this process but cannot replace ethical responsibility. Thus, accurate and consistent citation is central to avoiding plagiarism.

Option A:
This option emphasises deliberate acknowledgement of all sources, which is central to academic integrity. It involves in-text citations, reference lists and sometimes footnotes that clearly indicate authorship. Such transparent referencing allows readers to trace the origin of ideas and assess the reliability of evidence. Hence, this action effectively prevents plagiarism.

Option B:
This option describes “patch writing” or superficial paraphrasing, which still counts as plagiarism when sources are not cited. Minor word changes do not transform someone else’s work into original scholarship. Therefore, this behaviour remains academically unacceptable.

Option C:
Submitting the same work in multiple contexts without disclosure is considered self-plagiarism. It fails to meet expectations of original contribution in each course or publication. Thus, it does not help to avoid plagiarism.

Option D:
Grammar checkers can improve language quality but they do not check for proper attribution of ideas. They cannot decide whether citations are needed or adequately provided. Consequently, relying on them alone does nothing to prevent plagiarism.

Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic integrity. It occurs when a researcher copies or closely paraphrases the work of others without citing the original source. This misleads readers about the origin of ideas and undermines trust in scholarly communication. Proper referencing and quotation practices are essential to avoid plagiarism.

Option A:
Option A concerns style rather than ethics. Complex language may affect readability but does not necessarily involve misuse of others’ work.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it clearly identifies misappropriation of ideas or text without acknowledgment as the core of plagiarism. It reflects the understanding shared in university regulations and publication guidelines.

Option C:
Option C describes acceptable practice where the original author is credited. Paraphrasing with citation does not constitute plagiarism.

Option D:
Option D refers to the number of references, which is a matter of scope and concision, not ethical misrepresentation.

Plagiarism involves using another person’s intellectual work without giving proper credit. It can occur through copying text, ideas, figures or data and presenting them as original. In academic research, plagiarism is considered a serious ethical violation. Therefore, the dishonest practice described in the stem is correctly called plagiarism.

Option A:
Option A, plagiarism, directly names the act of presenting borrowed ideas or words without citation. It can be intentional or due to carelessness but is always unacceptable in scholarly work. Because the stem describes exactly this behaviour, this option is correct.

Option B:
Fabrication refers to making up data or results that were never actually obtained. It is a different form of research misconduct and does not focus on misappropriating others’ work. Hence, fabrication does not fit the description.

Option C:
Falsification involves manipulating research materials, processes or data so that the findings are misrepresented. It alters what actually happened rather than failing to acknowledge someone else’s ideas. So it is not the right term here.

Option D:
Debriefing is the process of explaining the true nature of the study to participants after their involvement, especially when some deception was used. It is an ethical safeguard, not a type of misconduct. Therefore, it cannot complete the stem.

In this ethics question, statements A, B and D correctly present principles of academic integrity. Statement A defines plagiarism as using another’s work without proper acknowledgement, statement B captures the essence of informed consent and statement D describes confidentiality as protecting participants’ identities and personal information. Statement C is clearly unethical because fabrication and falsification of data are never acceptable, irrespective of the perceived usefulness of results, and statement E is also wrong because institutional ethical guidelines apply to all research regardless of funding. Thus, the wrong statements are precisely C and E.

Option A:
Option A correctly groups C and E as the only wrong statements in the list. It recognises that both data fabrication and the ignoring of ethical guidelines are unacceptable practices in research. By leaving A, B and D out of the set of wrong statements, it respects their accuracy and therefore gives the right combination.

Option B:
Option B identifies C as wrong but fails to treat E as incorrect. While C is indeed an unethical position, E is also wrong because ethical approval and guidelines are required for all research involving human participants, not only funded projects. As this option does not capture all the wrong statements, it cannot be the correct answer.

Option C:
Option C adds statement D to the list of wrong statements along with C and E. This is incorrect because D accurately defines confidentiality in research practice. By classifying a correct statement as wrong, this combination misrepresents ethical principles and becomes invalid.

Option D:
Option D incorrectly includes statement A among the wrong statements. Statement A is a correct definition of plagiarism and reflects standard academic integrity norms. Since the option mislabels a true statement as wrong while mixing it with genuinely wrong statements C and E, it is not an acceptable answer.

Statement C is the only wrong statement because paraphrasing without acknowledging the source is also a form of plagiarism. Statements A, B and D correctly describe plagiarism and the importance of citation and detection tools. Even in ICT-rich environments, ethical norms apply equally to copied and paraphrased material. Therefore, the option that selects only C as wrong is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it treats both A and C as wrong statements. Statement A is a standard description of plagiarism involving unacknowledged copying. Including A in the wrong set denies a basic principle of academic integrity.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it groups C and D as wrong statements. While C is false, D is correct in stressing the role of proper referencing in maintaining integrity. Mixing a true statement with a false one makes this option invalid.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it isolates C as the only incorrect statement. It recognises that paraphrasing without citation is still plagiarism and affirms that A, B and D conform to accepted academic norms. This precisely matches the intent of the question.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it lists A, C and D as wrong. A and D accurately capture how plagiarism occurs and how referencing combats it. Misclassifying them as wrong shows a misunderstanding of academic ethics.

Statements A, B and C correctly express principles of academic integrity. A is true because proper acknowledgment of sources is fundamental to honest scholarship. B is correct in defining plagiarism as misrepresenting others’ work as one’s own. C is also true as detection tools can assist in identifying overlaps but cannot substitute for ethical intent and correct citation. Statement D is false because copying large portions without citation remains unethical regardless of perceived quality improvement. Therefore, A, B and C only form the correct set.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes only A and B and omits C. Leaving out C fails to recognise the supportive but limited role of technological tools in enforcing academic integrity.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it combines the three statements that align with widely accepted academic norms and excludes D, which blatantly contradicts them. It shows that integrity is both a moral and procedural obligation.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it selects B and C only and leaves out A, which spells out the fundamental requirement to acknowledge all sources. Without A, the description of academic integrity is incomplete.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct, thereby accepting D’s justification for unacknowledged copying. That position is incompatible with academic ethics.

Plagiarism is a serious ethical violation in which a researcher uses someone else’s intellectual work without giving due credit. It may involve copying text, ideas, data or even structure of arguments and presenting them as original. Proper citation and quotation practices are required to distinguish one’s own contribution from borrowed material. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism.

Option A:
Option A talks about complex language, which is a stylistic issue and not related to ethical use of sources. Complexity does not determine originality.

Option B:
Option B clearly expresses the essence of plagiarism by highlighting misappropriation of others’ work without acknowledgment. This behaviour undermines trust in scholarly communication and can lead to severe academic penalties.

Option C:
Option C describes an acceptable practice where previous work is summarized with appropriate citations. Paraphrasing with acknowledgment is encouraged to integrate literature ethically.

Option D:
Option D refers to the number of references, which has nothing to do with plagiarism. A paper with few references can still be original, while one with many references can still plagiarize if they are not properly cited.

Plagiarism involves using another person’s words, ideas, data or creative work without giving appropriate credit, thereby misrepresenting it as one’s own contribution. It violates academic integrity and can lead to serious consequences such as loss of credibility, retraction of publications or disciplinary action. Proper citation and quotation practices are essential to avoid plagiarism. Thus, the unethical practice described in the stem is correctly called plagiarism.

Option A:
Authorship refers to legitimate credit given to individuals who substantially contributed to a work and implies responsibility, not misappropriation. It is a positive recognition rather than an unethical act.

Option B:
Paraphrasing means restating ideas in one’s own words, which can be acceptable if accompanied by proper citation. Without credit, paraphrasing may become plagiarism, but the term itself does not inherently imply misconduct.

Option C:
Plagiarism undermines trust in research by obscuring the origin of ideas and preventing readers from tracing original sources. It also unfairly denies recognition to the true authors, which is why codes of ethics strongly condemn it. These characteristics correspond exactly to the stem, so this option is correct.

Option D:
Replication is the legitimate repetition of a study by other researchers to verify findings and is considered a healthy scientific practice, not an ethical violation.

Plagiarism occurs when an individual presents another person's work as their own, whether intentionally or unintentionally, without giving due credit. It violates principles of academic honesty and can lead to serious consequences such as loss of credibility or disciplinary action. ICT tools like plagiarism checkers are used to detect such misconduct. Therefore, the behaviour described is plagiarism.

Option A:
Option A, citation, is the correct practice of acknowledging sources and is actually the remedy against plagiarism rather than the wrongdoing itself.

Option B:
Option B, collaboration, refers to working together legitimately and is encouraged in many learning environments, provided contributions are properly recognised.

Option C:
Option C is correct because plagiarism is the established term for unacknowledged use of others' intellectual work, exactly as presented in the stem.

Option D:
Option D, archiving, involves storing documents for long term preservation and does not involve misrepresentation of authorship.

Plagiarism is an unethical practice in which someone uses another person’s ideas, data or wording without giving due credit through proper citation or quotation. It violates academic integrity and misleads readers about the true source of the work. Institutions often have strict policies and penalties for plagiarism because it undermines trust in scholarship. Since the stem describes presenting others’ work as one’s own without acknowledgment, plagiarism is the correct term.

Option A:
Ethical writing requires acknowledging all sources that have influenced the work, using quotation marks for exact wording and providing references for paraphrased ideas. It is the opposite of plagiarism because it is based on honesty and transparency. Therefore, ethical writing cannot complete the stem, which focuses on unethical copying.

Option B:
Paraphrasing involves restating someone else’s ideas in one’s own words, but it still requires citation to credit the original author. Properly paraphrased and referenced material is acceptable academic practice. However, the stem refers to using others’ work without acknowledgment, which goes beyond paraphrasing and constitutes plagiarism, so paraphrasing is not the correct answer.

Option C:
Citation is the practice of giving credit to original authors by indicating sources in the text and in the reference list. Correct use of citations prevents plagiarism by making sources explicit. Because the stem describes absence of acknowledgment, citation is actually the safeguard against the problem, not the name of the unethical act itself.

Option D:
Plagiarism covers both direct copying and close paraphrasing without citation, and can involve text, data, images or ideas. It is considered a serious academic offence and may lead to retraction of publications or disciplinary action. These features fit perfectly with the behaviour described in the stem, confirming plagiarism as the appropriate completion.

Statement D is the only wrong statement because altering data to fit expectations is a clear form of falsification and is strictly unethical. Statements A, B and C correctly define plagiarism, fabrication and falsification as forms of research misconduct. Statement E correctly notes that standard ethical codes explicitly prohibit all three practices. Therefore, D alone represents a view that contradicts accepted ethical standards.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it treats A together with D as wrong, even though A correctly defines plagiarism as misappropriation of others’ work. Since only D endorses unethical behaviour, grouping A with it misrepresents ethical principles.

Option B:
Option B wrongly suggests that both C and D are wrong. In reality, C accurately defines falsification as manipulative distortion of research procedures or data. This option therefore mislabels a correct statement as wrong.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it isolates D as the sole statement endorsing an unethical practice, namely altering data to match hypotheses. It implicitly affirms that A, B, C and E are in line with standard research ethics, which is consistent with accepted codes of conduct.

Option D:
Option D incorrectly includes B and E among the wrong statements. B correctly describes fabrication as making up data, and E correctly notes that guidelines forbid such behaviour. By treating these as wrong, the option conflicts with basic ethical definitions.

Option E misclassifies C and E as wrong along with D, even though both C and E accurately describe elements of research ethics and misconduct. This broad mislabelling shows conceptual confusion and renders the option unacceptable.

Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s words, ideas or data as one’s own without appropriate citation or acknowledgment. It is considered a serious breach of academic integrity and research ethics. The stem clearly describes using another person’s research ideas or text in a thesis without acknowledgment, which is a textbook example of plagiarism. Hence, Option A is the correct answer.

Option A:
Plagiarism undermines trust in scholarly work and can lead to penalties such as rejection of theses, retraction of publications and disciplinary action. Universities adopt plagiarism detection tools and strict guidelines to prevent such misconduct, emphasising its seriousness. These aspects align with the behaviour outlined in the question.

Option B:
Triangulation refers to using multiple methods or data sources to strengthen the validity of research findings. It is a positive methodological strategy and has nothing to do with unethical copying, so this option is incorrect.

Option C:
Validation is the process of confirming that a tool or method measures what it is intended to measure. It does not relate to the misuse of others’ intellectual work, making this option inappropriate.

Option D:
Moderation usually refers to the process of checking and adjusting marks or grades for consistency, not an ethical violation. It is unrelated to the act described in the stem, so this option is not correct.

Plagiarism occurs when a person presents another’s work as their own without giving due credit. ICT has made copying and pasting easy, increasing the risk of this unethical practice. Academic institutions enforce policies and use detection software to curb plagiarism. Thus, the behaviour described is academic plagiarism.

Option A:
Option A is correct because plagiarism is the accepted term for unacknowledged appropriation of others’ ideas or words.

Option B:
Option B, referencing, refers to proper acknowledgement of sources, which is the opposite of what the question describes.

Option C:
Option C, citation, is the formal mention of a source and constitutes good practice, not misconduct.

Option D:
Option D, quotation, involves clearly marking borrowed text, which is ethically acceptable when combined with citation.