Is it Plagiarism?

[The Grim Squeaker]

A plagiarism question - For a lot of the terms I"'m using when writing out a research paper, aspart of the introduction (Neuropeptides; Machine Learning; Neuropeptide Cleavage - Known motif model etc) I'm tempted to just copy the phrasing'/definitions from the original article near verbatim (a few words changed).

I AM Referring to the cited source(s) (both at the end of the relevant sentences/paragraphs and in my bibliography), so it's not plagiarism according to the definition I know, but it seems 'problematic' to me.
Its also something which I doubt a casual reading by the prof would catch up (without reading the original works cited), so i'm worried that she might not notice it, and thus would not know to inform me. (I do intend to ask her once the paper is in draft form).
Still, does it seem allright? We're talking about established, well known facts with direct referencing to the authors with all due credit. But I'm unsure as to the academic "Social norms".

Examples:

Me:
Neuropeptides serve as bidirectional neuromodulators, acting to modulate the activity of the presynaptic or post-synaptic cell (Kandel, 2000) (Southey Et al, 2006) (Southey 2008).

Original: (By Southey 2008):
Neuropeptides have diverse biological functions that affect
almost every brain system and neuronal network, and influence
development and behavior. Released from a neuron upon
electrical or chemical stimulation, they modulate the activity of
the presynaptic or post-synaptic cell (Kandel et al., 2000).""

Example 2:

Me:
A final tool, was the preexisting knowledge of the Known Motif cleavage model (Southey 2006) (Southey et al 2008) comprised of several prevalent motifs associated with neuropeptide precursor cleavage, *-*-Lys-Lys#, *-*-Lys-Arg#, *-*-Arg-Arg#, Arg-*-*-Lys# and Arg-*-*- Arg#, where # denotes cleavage and * denoting any (in theory) amino acid. This is possible due to the highly conserved nature of the limited number of enzymes capable of post translational endo cleavage (Including Furin.)2,1,9. This allowed us to identify and to mark suspected cleavage sites characteristic of Neuropeptides.

Original (Southey 2008):
Southey et al. (2006b) proposed a Known Motif model com-
prised of several prevalent motifs associated with neuropeptide
precursor cleavage, Xxx-Xxx-Lys-Lys#, Xxx-Xxx-Lys-Arg#,
Xxx-Xxx-Arg-Arg#, Arg-Xxx-Xxx-Lys# and Arg-Xxx-Xxx-
Arg#, where # denotes cleavage and Xxx denotes any amino
acid.

Would be happy to hear your thoughts. (Note - all the quotes provided here are from an early draft, still in the writing a first draft to the introduction stage, not anything published, binding or otherwise legal/official)


EDIT:
http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_ ... ation.html

What is plagiarism?

Simply put, plagiarism is the use of another's original words or ideas as though they were your own. Any time you borrow from an original source and do not give proper credit, you have committed plagiarism

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

You are providing citations for the paraphrased content in the appropriate manner, as far as I know, which is the legit way to do it. If in doubt, though, simply quote the cited material directly in your paper. Giving an introductory phrase is also good form, e.g.:

According to Steiner-Davion, specific facts are specific (Steiner-Davion, 3050).

[Ziggy Stardust]

The examples you give are fine. In fact, they are both really good examples of the proper way to paraphrase and cite something in an academic paper. So I wouldn't worry about it.

[Knife]

Is that MLA or APA?

[The Grim Squeaker]

Is that MLA or APA?

Fuck if I know. I'd guess it's not APA, seeing as how it's not a psychology article

[Geminon]

Long time lurker, first actual post. I just spent the last six hours writing an annotated bibliography for a communications course in APA format. It just depends on what the prof (or journal) wants. My parasit prof wants AMA, my Human Relations prof wants APA, my Intro to Vet Tech prof couldn't care less. As to the prof noticing, all of my profs run the document through an online resource that supposedly checks for plagiarism.

[Knife]

APA is used in most medicine too,not sure on biology, Aly would know.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Once I got out of gened courses in an engineering programme at least I discovered that "perfunctory APA" as I call it was the norm. The (parenthesis citation) was at the end of all paraphrased material or quoted material, and there was a bibliography, but the format was never strictly followed nor distinctions between kinds of sources made.

[Wing Commander MAD]

Once I got out of gened courses in an engineering programme at least I discovered that "perfunctory APA" as I call it was the norm. The (parenthesis citation) was at the end of all paraphrased material or quoted material, and there was a bibliography, but the format was never strictly followed nor distinctions between kinds of sources made.

That's my experience from Comp Sci. as well.

[Block]

APA is used in most medicine too,not sure on biology, Aly would know.

A lot of Communications courses require APA style too.

[Korto]

Just a layperson's opinion; if you were plagiarizing, actually citing the sources where you were stealing the work from would be incredibly obtuse. No-one could possibly believe there was any malice involved.
That just leaves putting your work in the correct form, so back to your regular contributors.

[Knife]

Well yeah, basic rule, if you cite it, it's not plagiarism. There are those grammar nazi's out there who would say if your formatting isn't right, it's still plagiarism, but they're assholes.