Dear All,
In the following historical account, I have tried to make everything
anonymous.
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The preprint of a paper written by X is put on his/her home page
(in pdf format - but no restrictions on printing).
A prospective PhD student applies to study at University A (not
the institution where X works), and submits a report in support
of the application with himself/herself as sole author.
By chance the prospective supervisor at University A notices some
similarity of the two documents. On closer examination, it is
clear that it is just an edited copy - even the figures (of supposedly
simulated data) are identical.
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Has anyone else encountered this situation?
This person hoped to gain a postgraduate position, but I suppose
the same thing can happen with submission of a journal paper?
(I do not know if the report has been submitted anywhere)
How can we (i.e. journal editors/referees, admission tutors)
guard against it - should preprints be removed from the web?
What should be done in situations like this (where the student may
also have applied elsewhere)?
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Recall that ALLSTAT is not a discussion list, so if you reply directly
to me I will summarize your comments and circulate in due course.
Charles
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Dr. Charles Taylor : [log in to unmask]
Department of Statistics : tel +44 113 343 5168
University of Leeds : fax +44 113 343 5090
Leeds LS2 9JT UK
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