Why You Should Not Use Paraphrasing Tools

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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 Hamid28/4/2020

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