Overview
An important part of
scientific ethics is avoiding plagiarism.
Plagiarism is defined at Oregon State University as:
"representing
the words or ideas of another person as one's own OR presenting someone
else's words, ideas, artistry or data as one's own. This includes copying
another person's work (including unpublished material) without appropriate
referencing, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as one's
own, or working jointly on a project, then submitting it as one's own."
http://library.orst.edu/instruction/tutorials/engage/cite/plagiarism.htm