Why you should not use paraphrasing tools
As students in master and PhD programs, have you been
tempted to use paraphrasing tools? Lets's look at these examples and the
reasons why you should fight the temptation.
Original text taken from a journal article's abstract:
Concurrent validity, and discriminant validity with the use
of several conceptually related and unrelated measures in two samples reveal
satisfactory validity results for both the FS and the SPANE. The results of the
present study show the utility of these scales in Turkish culture.
Quillbot output (Standard mode):
Simultaneous validity and distinguishing validity through
the use of two tests of both conceptually linked and unrelated steps shows
adequate validity results for both the FS and the SPANE. The findings of this
study demonstrate the usefulness of such scales in Turkish culture.
Paraphrashing-Tool output:
Synchronous legitimacy and separating legitimacy using two
trial of both reasonably connected and disconnected advances shows satisfactory
legitimacy results for both the FS and the SPANE. The discoveries of this
examination exhibit the helpfulness of such scales in Turkish culture.
Duplichecker output:
Concurrent validity, and discriminant validity with the
employment of many conceptually connected and unrelated measures in 2 samples
reveal satisfactory validity results for each the FS and therefore the SPANE.
The results of the current study show the utility of those scales in Turkish
culture.
Rewriter output:
Concurrent validity, and discriminant validity with the use
of numerous conceptually associated and unrelated measures in two samples
disclose first-rate validity outcomes for both the FS and the SPANE. The
outcomes of the current study exhibit the utility of these scales in Turkish
culture.
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Most of the output from the online paraphrasing tools are
linguistically acceptable. For thesis writing, I find the tools could be useful
to understand the original materials. But they are not meant to generate
materials to be inserted into the thesis.
1. What is the purpose of paraphrasing a single sentence? If
the original sentence is very important, you might as well use it as a direct
quote with a proper citation. If you find yourself needing to paraphrase
sentences after sentence, you might be doing something wrong.
Paraphrasing other people's sentences may not be suitable
for when critical thoughts (comparison, evaluation, critique, synthesis) are
required. If your paragraphs, pages or chapter comprise a sequence of
paraphrased materials, you're quite likely simply reporting what other people
say. You're earning a master or doctorate in your field; not being a reporter.
2. In a master or PhD program, the discipline areas are
usually well differentiated. The differences can be observed in the language
used. Jargons and terms used in psychology may not mean the same thing in
English Literature. 'Concurrent
validity' is not interchangeable with 'Simultaneous validity' and 'Synchronous
legitimacy'. You can fool non-psychologists into thinking you're very
sophisticated with your word choices. But to psychometricians (and well-versed
psychologists), 'synchronous legitimacy' indicates you need more training to
legitimately earn your degree.
3. The paraphrasing tools may even produce text with
misleading meaning. It does not guarantee faithful reproduction of the original
text's meaning. For example,
"satisfactory validity results for each the FS and therefore the
SPANE" suggest the results for SPANE is linked to or dependent on the
results for FS. The original text conveys that both FS and SPANE has
satisfactory validity results. Nothing was mentioned about the dependence between
the two sets of results.
4. So, how do you avoid the need for paraphrasing? Ask
yourself what do you want to communicate. The materials from other people are
ingredients to build your own opinion.
If you're clear about what you want to say, I believe you would not be
very tempted to simply take a sentence from other people, rearrange it, and
putting it into your paragraph.
If this kind of mental activity sounds too hard or too
difficult, please ask yourself this very important question: why do you want to do a master or PhD degree?
Harris Shah Abd Hamid
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