We have certainly had a problem but I feel we're getting close to resolving some of the issues. We went through a number of phases:
* workshops with key staff to identify the issues
* research into students' understanding and experience of plagiarism and how they thought it should be dealt with (Fairly, consistently but
it must be dealt with!)
* a working group looking at the issue and, with help from Jude Carroll, putting together proposals for a revised, more holistic approach
involving:
- staff and educational development to encourage staff to design out the rewards from, and opportunities to, plagiarise (some way to go on
this yet but a great amount interest in what we are doing)
- improved student information and skills training, including an emphasis on the positive reasons for avoiding plagiarism, rather than
merely stressing policing and punishment
- revised procedures and regulations (currently going through widespread consultation) including Academic Conduct Panels in each School
(thanks to Jude Carroll for the seeds of the idea) to mirror what we have just introduced for extenuating circumstances - with an emphasis
on consistency, fairness and openess. This includes a 'fast track' approach to dealing with plagiarism which, for a minor first case of
inadvertent plagiarism, could result in a warning and note on the student's file - rather than the previous draconian punishments and
onerous procedures which led to many people just ignoring it! It still recognises that plagiarism is cheating but uses a set of criteria and
associated tariff of penalties
Feedback so far is an immense sense of relief from staff that at last there is a fair and fast way of dealing with minor cases of plagiarism
which indicates to all students that we take it seriously.
We hope the scheme will be fully implemented in the next academic year, though it involves a lot of staff development - aboslutely key in
making sure it works.
Incidentally, I'm about to have a meeting with the Academic Registrar and others to consider whether to register for the JISC detection
system. However, on first sight it does appear rather bureaucratic (and I know why that's the case). Given that we keep stressing the
academic judgements to be made in each case of plagiarism I'm almost loath to go down a road which some may see as taking the need for that
judgement away from them. Again, time will tell ...
Ranald Macdonald
Head of Academic Development
Learning and Teaching Institute
Sheffield Hallam University
Tel: 0114 225 4750
email: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Fiona Duggan
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 5/1/2003 3:17 PM
Dear Listmembers,
In a recent discussion forum it was suggested that one of the problems
surrounding the issue of plagiarism in Universities and Colleges was
that
everyone wanted to know how everyone else was affected by plagiarism and
how
they were tackling the issue, before anyone was willing to admit to
having a
problem themselves. The spectre of league tables was proposed as one of
the
reasons for this apparent shyness. At the Plagiarism Advisory Service we
are
naturally keen to help Universities and Colleges in their endeavours to
prevent and detect plagiarism but this is obviously made more difficult
if
there is a widespread reticence about the issue in the first place.
I would be interest to know if list members think that this is a fair
reflection of the current situation, and if it is what can we do about
it?
Or indeed, should we do anything about it?
Regards
Fiona Duggan
Plagiarism Advisory Service Manager
Information Management Research Institute
Room 122 Lipman Building
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 0191 243 7410
The Plagiarism Advisory Service offers general guidance only on issues
relevant to plagiarism prevention and detection. Such guidance does not
constitute definitive or legal advice and should not be regarded as a
substitute therefor. In particular guidance given by the Service will
not
take account of provisions of any relevant assessment or other governing
regulations. The Service will not give advice on the interpretation of
any
regulations and all guidance is given subject to the relevant
regulations.
The Plagiarism Advisory Service does not accept any liability for any
loss
suffered by persons who consult the Service whether or not such loss is
suffered directly or indirectly as a result of reliance placed on
guidance
given by the Service.
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