Do we want cut-and-paste answers?

Question

I've noticed a trend — on Islamic forums in general, not exclusively this site — of answering questions with nothing more than a copy-paste of an article written by a scholar. Even if they're properly cited (and thus not falling into the issue of plagiarism), I don't feel such answers are appropriate for this site.

To me, such answers are exceedingly low quality. We are trying to build a site of expert knowledge here, but there's not a lot of expert knowledge needed to just point someone to (for example) IslamQA. And that's not even getting into the issue of copy-pasting an article that isn't even a direct answer to the question asked, and thus would be only partially relevant. I doubt such posts, posts that effectively just tell people that we don't have our own answers, will attract the type of knowledgeable people we really need to make this site thrive.

After all, if we're not actually providing better information, or presenting good information in a better form, then why would anyone want to invest their time here?

Now I understand that there's not a lot of support in Islamic schools for laymen performing "original research," and the easiest way to avoid falling into that trap is to reference only opinions of scholars who are educated enough to do such research. But even then there's little to no reason (other than laziness) not to summarize a scholarly opinion in an easier to digest manner, or combine mutually-supporting opinions into one post, and then provide links to the originals if anyone wants more depth.

So the question I present to the community is thus: How should we the site (and especially we the moderators) deal with such answers?

(see also: Are answers that just contain links elsewhere really "good answers"?)

Answer 1

Such posts ought to be downvoted and commented on, IMO. We don't want to become a repository of quotes from elsewhere.

You have two separate issues here:

Answers which just quote the Quran/etc

Yes, the Quran is considered paramount, but it doesn't hurt to provide an interpretation of the quoted lines. Yes, interpretations can be subjective, but in that case the quotes are always a fallback.

Also, I doubt the quote will actually answer the question at all times (Yes, it will answer it, but not exactly--it won't look like an answer to the question). So adding a conclusion that succinctly answers the question is good.

For example, https://islam.stackexchange.com/a/236/227 contains a quote which effectively answers the question, but a "So, the Quran forbids homosexuality" line underneath wouldn't be amiss. Along with some background (Who is Lut?). On the other hand, the first section of https://islam.stackexchange.com/a/1452/227 is much better, it had interpretations and background (though I'm not sure if the rest of that answer is good, though--I'm just focusing on the quoting part).

Answers which just quote another site

These are even worse, for one there is the credibility issue, and for another there's not much effort put into the post. Again, you can add interpretations, etc (or not quote the site at all, instead write it in your own words). Otherwise, just provide a link in a comment--don't answer if you're not going to write much yourself.

Answer 2

I agree with manishearth on last section. I think such answers should be disallowed. As Manishearth said, they should be a link in a comment only. I think answers should look like a short academic essay, or answer to an exam question. I think in a healthy answer no more than %30-%40 should be quotation. And, every quotation should be further explained or clarified by the answerer. Here are some answers that I like the style of;

https://islam.stackexchange.com/a/1452/44

https://islam.stackexchange.com/a/1348/44

https://islam.stackexchange.com/a/1381/44

Answer 3

I don't see a problem of having a copy-and-paste answer if it is covering the question correctly. I think that this is valid for a range of questions which asks about pretty straight answers.

For example:

Do I have to fast in Ramadan when playing soccer?

Is one of the popular question, which have many good canned-copy-and-paste answers. Just mention the source, and mention clearly that it is copied.

I think that the purpose of the website to offer good answers for questions.

Answer 4

When the same question is answered somewhere else and that answer is clear and enough and no need to add extra, what is problem to copy it with link and author and format and copyright maters?

It is said:

Do not invent the wheel again.

It depends on case. but some times a copied text is clear and enough as a valid answer.

it saves time also!

Answer 5

Totally dis-agree.

Because many many questions are already answered by experts on IslamQA (as its the best site already for question answers about islam), so how can BEST answers, that too by EXPERTS became of Low quality? what is definition of low quality for you? Will i get a negative point for this comment too?

Copy paste shouldnt matter, its the ANSWER, that should fulfill the requirement.. if already a perfect and BEST answer is available, then ehy invent the wheel again?