While academic dishonesty has long been an issue for academe, our 21st Century electronic environment has made it very easy for students to succumb to plagiarism and more difficult than ever for faculty to prevent and detect. Even when we suspect that a student has submitted a plagiarized paper, how do we “prove” the plagiarism and what are the consequences of academic dishonesty? Research by Donald McCabe, The Center for Academic Integrity at Rutgers, demonstrates that promoting a culture of academic integrity on campus can reduce the plagiarism epidemic. This program will focus on bridging the gap between faculty and student perceptions as well as what is required to build a culture of academic integrity.
Using sample student analyses of online paper mill web sites, student survey responses, and existing scholarship on plagiarism, authorship, and intellectual property, Kelly Ritter, Associate Professor of English and Composition Program Coordinator, Southern Connecticut State University, will examine how the consumerist rhetoric of the online paper mills construes academic writing as a commodity for sale, and why such rhetoric appeals to students, whose cultural disconnect from the academic system of authorship increasingly leads them to patronize these sites. Ritter will also address how faculty course design and student-professor interaction can mitigate this dilemma.
Susan
Herzog, Information Literacy Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University,
will demonstrate Turnitin, the industry leader in anti-plagiarism software,
and examine its pros and cons. Herzog will also preview a web page for the
program which will provide useful resources for all who attend.
Marie T. Saddlemire, Doctor of Philosophy Candidate in Higher Education Administration,
Bowling Green State University, will summarize the results of a qualitative
research initiative involving faculty participants from a mid-sized, public
university. The faculty shared information about their knowledge of, personal
and professional experiences with, and communication about academic dishonesty.
Analysis led to the emergence of four major themes: the definition and nature
of academic dishonesty, shaping influences, values and beliefs, and proactive
and reactive responses to academic dishonesty. The results indicated that
faculty perceptions and decision-making are strongly influenced by their personal
value systems. Emphasis will be placed on the role that faculty socialization
plays in faculty understanding of, and response to, issues related to academic
dishonesty. Implications for practice will be discussed, including the ways
in which faculty can be authentic while responding consistently to cheating
incidents.
Bibliography
on Plagiarism, Cheating & Academic Integrity
Susan Herzog
Information Literacy Librarian
Eastern Connecticut State University
The
Economics of Authorship: Online Paper Mills, Student Writers, and First-Year
Composition
Dr. Kelly Ritter
Southern Connecticut State University
Associate Professor of English
Composition Program Coordinator
Faculty
Perceptions of Undergraduate Academic Dishonesty
Marie Saddlemire
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate in Higher Education Administration
Bowling Green State University
Turnitin
Pros & Cons
Susan Herzog
Information Literacy Librarian
Eastern Connecticut State University
Defining
and Avoiding Plagiarism: The WPA Statement on Best Practices
Council of Writing Program Administrators, January, 2003
"This statement responds to the growing educational concerns about plagiarism
in four ways: by defining plagiarism; by suggesting some of the causes of plagiarism;
by proposing a set of responsibilities (for students, teachers, and administrators)
to address the problem of plagiarism; and by recommending a set of practices
for teaching and learning that can significantly reduce the likelihood
of plagiarism. The statement is intended to provide helpful suggestions and
clarifications so that instructors, administrators, and students can work together
more effectively in support of excellence in teaching and learning."
Plagiarism:
A Guide for ECSU Students & Faculty
Susan Herzog
Information Literacy Librarian
Eastern Connecticut State University
Combating
Plagiarism
CQ Researcher
September 19, 2003
Volume 13, Number 32
Includes "Should Educators Use Commercial Services to Combat Plagiarism":
Yes by John Barrie, President, Turnitin.com and No by Rebecca
Moore Howard, Associate Professore of Writing and Rhetoric, Syracuse University.
Plagiarism:
Policy Against Cheating Or Policy For Learning?
By Brian Martin
School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication, University of Wollongong,
NSW
"Compulsory use of plagiarism-detection software, specifically turnitin.com,
is proposed for introduction at the University of Wollongong in 2004. The pros
and cons of this are canvassed. ...Using plagiarism-detection software can readily
pinpoint only word-for-word plagiarism, and only some instances of it. There
are four main rationales for using plagiarism-detection software: deterring
and detecting cheating; fostering learning of proper acknowledgement practice;
building
institutional reputation; and treating students fairly. None of these provides
a strong case for
compulsory use of the software. There are some serious negative effects of compulsory
checking, especially reduced trust. Plagiarism-detection
software potentially can play a valuable contribution if it is used voluntarily
by students, on a case-by-case basis by teachers and as part of a wider process
of learning proper acknowledgement practice."
Student
Wins Battle Against Plagiarism-Detection Requirement
By Emanuella Grinberg
Court TV
January 21, 2004
CNN.com Law Center
Turnitin.com
Meggan Clark
Regional Sales Manager
Higher Education - Eastern Division
iParadigms, LLC - developers of Turnitin
1624 Franklin Street, 7th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
P:510-287-9720 x223
F:510-444-1952
"The
Web's Plagiarism Police"
An online service claims it can identify purloined papers. So why'd it nail
my thesis?
By Andy Dehnart
Salon
June 14, 1999
* Used with artist's permission.
Page
created and maintained by Susan Herzog, Eastern Connecticut State University.
Last update: 4/29/05. Broken links or suggestions? Please
e-mail Susan.