I haven't been able to locate the offending article, but it seems
characteristically unfair. However, I would say that the relevant
committee in my own institution, while itself being strict about
plagiarism, is worried that some departments report many more cases than
others, which suggests reluctance in certain quarters to send cases
forward.
In my own Faculty, my department (Philosophy) reports more cases than
any other, and some report none at all. The matter is currently being
investigated, and a questionnaire has been sent out to investigate staff
attitudes. I personally don't believe that philosophers plagiarise more
than other students - quite the reverse! But it may be that philosophy
examiners are more alert to lack of independent thought in their
students.
I do find this an interesting question, and it's a pity that the
deadline for submissions to the conference has already been passed.
George.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
George MacDonald Ross
Director
Philosophical and Religious Studies LTSN Subject Centre
School of Philosophy
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT UK
+44 (0)113-343-3283
[log in to unmask]
http://www.prs-ltsn.ac.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Plagiarism [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fiona
Duggan
Sent: 17 March 2004 15:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Article in today's telegraph
List members,
An article by Frank Furedi in today's Telegraph entitled "Cheats are
having
a field day on campus" accuses the Plagiarism Advisory Service of
treating
plagiarism "as a technical problem that can be put right through
adopting
best practice" and advises that we "could spend [our] resources more
productively by finding out why universities feel the need to cover up
the
problem." and encourages the service to seek papers for the conference
to be
held in June "on why academics are discouraged from using disciplinary
procedures and why university authorities are so reluctant to penalise
cheating."
Whilst we are always open to suggestions as to how we might most
effectively
utilise our limited resources, we would question whether the proposed
activity would realistically generate any meaningful data, but maybe
list
members have a different view on that?
As to recommendations for papers at the June conference we have
certainly
not intended to eliminate potential topics by outlining the proposed
conference themes, but rather hoped to incorporate as diverse a range of
perspectives as possible by listing a number of possible themes for
papers.
Do list members agree with the statement that academics are discouraged
from
using disciplinary procedures and that universities are reluctant to
penalise cheating, and if so do they think that if we encouraged papers
on
those topics for the conference there is a realistic possibility that we
would receive any?
Fiona
The Daily Telegraph, p19, 17.3.04
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
This link takes you to the home page of today's Daily Telegraph. You
will
need to register with the free online version of the paper to see this
article.
Dr 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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