I, too, have been fascinated by the sudden interest in plagiarism but it
highlights one of the problems of having an open list, i.e. one to which
students have access. The academic world should surely have a place where
information can be exchanged between relevant staff with a certain basic
level of privacy. There was, for example, an email recently how about to
steal a book from the library by bypassing the electonic system. The
email explained how to photocopy a barcode and stick it over another
barcode.
As a librarian, I had a couple of staff from other institutions telephone
me when they were concerned about possible plagiarism. As a module leader
and dissertation supervisor, I have had students who have no idea what
plagiarism is - despite the fact that it was clearly explained in
leaflets produced by the library, and in a handbook produced by the
University. In addition, I was told - but never saw the work - that one
student had produced his dissertation by straight unacknowledged copying
from the Web. But the growth of email and the ease of transmitting the
information from one part of the country to another has paved the way for
an increase in plagiarism and it will need to be addressed by the
academic community.
Whilst I know some disagree with me about the use of our list by
students, nevertheless there are some possibily awkward side effects.
I am glad that these requests have been made and perhaps, if students are
listening in, then word will spread round and the practice will stop. But
if we stop or fail to raise every case, then the plagiarism will not!
What should we do?
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