Academics are held to a higher standard of intellectual integrity than other writers, but some may need help with writing. Hiring a ghostwriter for advisory or editorial roles is acceptable, but relying on them for research or original thoughts is unethical. The use of ghostwriters for university-related work is questioned, but not for other works. Some academics may need assistance in ensuring their ideas match their expression on paper.
The rules of engagement among academics are not always the same as among the general population of writers. While a professional ghostwriter can rework a doctoral thesis as well as a celebrity reveal book, academics in general are generally held to a higher standard of intellectual integrity by their peers. Applicants for higher grades are usually expected to demonstrate some command of the written language, although some academics argue that writing ability does not always equate to mastery of the subject area.
Is it ethical for academics to enlist ghostwriters as writing assistants or editors? Maybe, as long as the ghostwriter’s role is limited to the structure of the paper, not to the substance. Academics in a number of science and math fields are not always strong writers, since their disciplines do not require significant exposure to English composition courses. Hiring a professional writer strictly in an advisory or editorial capacity cannot be considered unethical, especially if academics inform the university in advance.
Relying on uncredited ghostwriters to do the actual research or to formulate original thoughts “in the style” of the real author. Academics are strongly encouraged to demonstrate a mastery of their subject without relying on external researchers. The use of a ghostwriter for a crucial paper is often seen by other academics as unethical and an affront to honest academic policies. Academics working as educators should apply the same code of ethics to themselves as they would to their students.
The issue of academics and ghostwriters is usually related to university-related work, such as doctoral theses and scientific articles. The use of ghostwriters by academics for other works such as biographies, novels and screenplays is rarely questioned. Critics might argue that academics shouldn’t rely on these literary mercenaries, since they should be perfectly capable of creating quality works themselves. While this may be true for those academics in the fields of literary or creative writing, other academics in the fields of science, mathematics, and technology may need assistance in ensuring that their ideas match their expression on paper.
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