Just a quick add-on to your comment about the JISC database being off-campus. This point was discussed on the [log in to unmask] list in March and is stored on the list archives. I understand the concern about the service offered by iParadigm  is caused by the data being held in the USA. As the USA does not have similar data-protection laws it would be impossible/very difficult for an individual to enforce their rights under the DPA within that jurisdiction.

The data-protection list is to be recommended - the majority focus of my work is not connected to DPA but I do need to have a knowledge of the DPA to do my work effectively and I find this list very useful for this reason - some of the contributors work for universities so some of the discussion is highly relevant.

Margarita Rainford
Academic Affairs Co-ordinator
University of Sunderland Students' Union

John Fairhurst wrote:

>  I am a lawyer, although I admit to not knowing the Data Protection laws in any kind of depth.  But as I understand it, the reason for the JISC registration is because it is a service provided off-campus, and it isn't a record which is held by the University.  When students enrol with our University they sign a statement which says "I am aware that the University will create and maintain computer and paper records on me, both udirng after the course; these records will be processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.  I consent to the processing of such date for any purposes connected with my studies ...".  I don't know if this covers the use of CopyCatch but since this is simply a piece of software which sits on our computers, and which we use to check a student's submitted work (and that we inform students that we shall be doing this), I'm not sure that we'll be breaching any Data Protection laws - the student would be entitled to check any record kept just !
as they
> have the right to check any other record.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gill Chester
> To: 'Plagiarism'; John Fairhurst
> Sent: 24/06/2003 17:59
> Subject: RE: Software
>
> It may be painless but if the law requires you to get student permission
> to
> upload material then surely that includes uploading material to
> CopyCatch.
> The JISC registration was only put in place to ensure sites abided by
> the
> law.  Perhaps this product relieves you of that responsibility but I
> would
> double check that with your legal team taking into consideration the
> information provided by JISC plagiarism advisory service on the issues.
>
> Gill
>
> > ----------
> > From:         John Fairhurst[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Reply To:     Plagiarism;John Fairhurst
> > Sent:         24 June 2003 17:55
> > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > Subject:      Re: Software
> >
> > Thank you to David and Fran for this,
> >
> > It does seem that the JISC registration procedure could be difficult
> to
> > manage with large student numbers - and as David pointed out there are
> > some Data Protection issues which need to be addressed.  Following my
> > email to the list I got an email from someone within my Uni to tell me
> > that our Teaching and Learning Committee was considering the Data
> > Protection issues hopefully this afternoon.  If David is correct that
> > written consent is req'd from all students then it will make use of
> the
> > JISC software even more burdensome - and surely a student who's going
> to
> > plagiarise will be one of those who won't consent!!
> >
> > CopyCatch does seem to do the trick in a painless way (painless for
> > students and academics!)
> >
> > John
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: F.H.Smith
> > To: 'Plagiarism'; John Fairhurst
> > Sent: 24/06/2003 16:55
> > Subject: RE: Software
> >
> > Hi John,
> >
> > At the Open University, we have been experimenting with CopyCatch over
> > the
> > last few months and although we are still in the early stages, it does
> > look
> > interesting. David Woolls has been extremely willing to adapt the
> > product to
> > help meet our needs and we are currently entering into a pilot phase
> > working
> > with selected courses to assess how best CopyCatch can be incorporated
> > into
> > an already complex assessment procedure and its suitability for
> scaling
> > up.
> > To date we have put over 500 students through in one go, but we are
> > aiming
> > to increase this to 4,000 during the pilot.
> >
> > From our initial trawl of existing software, CopyCatch appears to best
> > meet
> > our operational requirements. JISC is unattractive for us due partly
> to
> > the
> > registration procedure, which with 200,000 students is too unwieldy.
> > Also,
> > as David Davies has already pointed out, the current bulk upload
> > facility is
> > somewhat time-consuming and we would need to automate the entire
> > procedure.
> > Thus, overall JISC does not at present match our needs.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> > Fran
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: John Fairhurst [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: 24 June 2003 09:13
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Software
> >
> >
> > I'm a new subscriber to this list.  I work within the Huddersfield
> > University Business School and lead an off-campus learning programme
> in
> > eBusiness.  We have been investigating the availability of plagiarism
> > detection software, and have recently purchased CopyCatchGold.  This
> is
> > very
> > reasonably priced, easy to use and very quick.  It is ideal for
> > detecting
> > students who have copied from one another and who have taken material
> > from
> > our online materials.
> >
> > Has anybody else used CopyCatchGold?  What do they think?  How does it
> > compare to other software?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > John
> >
> >
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