> I *know* the writing style of my students
I'm a little uncomfortable about this defence. It's very subjective and may
mean that teachers have pre-conceived ideas about their students. Teachers
often say that they can catch plagiarism because they "know" their students.
It's like the "only poor students plagiarise" myth. A good plagiariser (who
tends to be smart) can cover their tracks very effectively.
When I was working on my FAQ I was surprised at how little primary research
exists on plagiarism within the UK. It's nearly all anecdotal or
small-scale. So who knows the effect of paper-mills? It might be small
(which seems to be the consensus) - or it might not.
---
Bobby
Mobile/SMS: 0781-064-7043
E-mail my mobile: [log in to unmask]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Plagiarism [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of E.V.Brack
> Sent: 25 June 2004 10:46
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Press coverage
>
> >"I am often told that essaybanks are not seen as the threat that
> >articles such as this one would have us believe that they pose, as
> >the majority of plagiarism from internet sources is usually due to
> >students "cutting and pasting" from various websites, rather than
> >purchasing entire essays."
>
> >And just how would people who purchased essays be identified?
> >Are they likely to identify themselves? What if they have essays
> >written for them i.e. with bespoke services? NO So just how
> >does anyone KNOW how many essays are purchased?
>
> Obviously we don't know, but - how many students have enough
> money to buy their way through a whole degree? How many
> degrees are based on essay assessments alone?
>
> I *know* the writing style of my students as I set them not just
> essays but other types of written work, some of which is written in
> class. I'd certainly be able to spot something that wasn't written by
> them [but I do have to say that I'm not dealing with huge numbers
> here]. If I felt that bought-in esays were a problem then I would
> change the assessments.
>
> Verity
> *************************
> Dr E V Brack
> Access & Flexible Learning Development Officer
> Institute for Lifelong Learning
> University of Sheffield
> 196-8 West Street
> SHEFFIELD S1 4ET
> tel: +44 (0)114 222 7085
> fax: +44 (0)114 222 7001
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
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