1st floor The Library, Whiteknights, University of Reading, RG6 6AE
( 0118 378 4645 : www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice twitter: @unirdg_study
Please note that I now work part-time and am not usually on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays
Hi Kim
At Leeds University we have just been involved in a pilot project where all first year undergraduates were required to complete an Academic Integrity Tutorial followed by a quiz. I won’t go into details about the mechanics of all this but if you do want to know more about the admin and set up etc please feel free to email me! What I did want to share however, was the approach we took with the actual tutorial. Rather than plagiarism being the starting point and focus of the resource, it in fact became the end point. The emphasis was on “academic integrity” and sending a positive message that developing good academic skills is the basis of avoiding plagiarism. The tutorial brings together referencing, with other academic skills: reading and note-making, paraphrasing, summarising and using quotations, working with others. The tutorial is available here: http://library.leeds.ac.uk/tutorials/integrity/generic/. We actually have three versions, here are the Harvard and Numeric specific version:
Harvard: http://library.leeds.ac.uk/tutorials/integrity/harvard/
Numeric: http://library.leeds.ac.uk/tutorials/integrity/numeric/.
Unfortunately the success or otherwise of this project has not yet been evaluated!
A major issue we have had at Leeds with referencing, which I know is also common at other universities is that students are often being given contradictory and confusing advice about how they should reference by the Library, their Schools and even between individual tutors. Last year myself and a colleague Dan Pullinger wrote a paper for the University’s Taught Student Education Board recommending the rationalising of referencing systems and advice across the University, both to improve the student experience and ensure students are marked in a fair and equitable way. The University agreed a policy which meant that Schools must select a single referencing style for use by all taught students. In a few cases, two styles were permitted. All schools must also use standardised Leeds version of systems if available or direct students to a single, official guide for their style. We are currently surveying students and academics to see whether the policy is being implemented effectively and to assess what impact it is having.
Sorry, I seem to have just rambled on a bit there!
I hope some of it helps!
Best wishes,
Michelle
Michelle Schneider
Academic Skills Development Officer
15 Blenheim Terrace
University of Leeds
LS2 9JT
T 0113 34 35527
W http://library.leeds.ac.uk/people/Michelle-Schneider
http://twitter.com/skills_library
Consider the environment. Please don’t print this email unless you really need to.
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Kim Shahabudin
Sent: 15 February 2013 12:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Referencing 'tests' for new students
Dear all,
I'm currently working on a project on teaching referencing and avoiding plagiarism. One of the big problems we keep seeing is a failure of students to engage with referencing guidance early on in their academic career, then developing bad habits which are difficult
to break later on. A recommendation we are considering is to provide the incentive to engage early by having a compulsory 'test' or quiz, with guidance as to where the answers might be found.
I've been told by various people that other institutions already do this - Bath and Nottingham were two institutions mentioned, and I know Huddersfield are also putting something similar in place. If your institution uses a strategy of this sort, I'd be really
grateful for any information on what you do, how it works, and whether you think it's effective.
I'm sure other people on the list would also be interested, but do contact me directly off-list if you're prefer.
Happy Friday!
Kim
Dr Kim Shahabudin, FHEA, Study Adviser, Study Advice & Maths Support
1st floor The Library, Whiteknights, University of Reading, RG6 6AE
( 0118 378 4645 : www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice twitter: @unirdg_study
Please note that I now work part-time and am not usually on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays