Reference Works and the Issue of Academic Integrity

Abstract

The objective is to underscore the imperative of adhering to copyright principles and maintaining academic integrity in the preparation of reference and encyclopaedic publications despite their classification as secondary sources of information.

The methodology is grounded on general theoretical principles and methods of cognition, aiming to objectively examine issues pertaining to the nature of dictionary and encyclopaedic formats. Logical and critical analysis, alongside reflection, constitute the primary methods employed.

The scientific novelty is defined by the author’s interpretation (contextually driven by the specific discourse) of the widely accepted understanding of encyclopaedias and dictionaries as a type of publication. The study is driven by the recent controversy surrounding V. Ohiienko’s “The Holodomor. The Story of Unconscious Trauma”.

Conclusions. The suggestion that dictionary and encyclopaedic publications are held to lower standards of academic integrity is unfounded. Firstly, dictionaries and encyclopaedias are primarily scholarly collections, distinct from original, author-created popular science literature, despite their potential for popularization. Compiling such works involves assembling texts by various authors into a single publication rather than compiling disparate opinions, statements, or ideas into one cohesive work. Secondly, encyclopaedias and dictionaries are protected by intellectual property rights, contrary to the common misconception that they are in the public domain. As a result, the creation of encyclopaedic or dictionary content adheres to academic and publishing ethics, as well as copyright norms, ensuring that the dishonest appropriation of intellectual property is precluded. Moreover, these standards apply equally to original, authorial editions, including popular science books, even if they incorporate encyclopaedic or dictionary genre elements. In the context of literature addressing sensitive topics, such as the Holodomor, any errors — whether plagiarism, factual inaccuracies, or linguistic lapses — can undermine the work’s credibility and potentially cause harm.