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Software Development MarketplacesSoftware Development MarketplacesImplications for PlagiarismImplications for Plagiarism

Daryl D’SouzaDaryl D’SouzaMargaret HamiltonMargaret Hamilton

Michael HarrisMichael HarrisSchool of Computer Science & IT, RMIT UniversitySchool of Computer Science & IT, RMIT University

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A timely reminder ….A timely reminder ….

““Caught red-handed: Caught red-handed: Buy-an-essay is the latest Buy-an-essay is the latest cheating ploy offered on the internet as universities wage a cheating ploy offered on the internet as universities wage a

war on plagiarismwar on plagiarism””

Author: Elisabeth TaricaAuthor: Elisabeth Tarica

The Age, Education supplementThe Age, Education supplement

13 November 200613 November 2006

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What prompted this study?What prompted this study?

Offshore (Singapore)Offshore (Singapore)– Per chance search by colleague showed up Rentacoder Per chance search by colleague showed up Rentacoder

site contained their assignment specificationsite contained their assignment specification Australia Australia

– Notified by UK academicNotified by UK academic– Used relatively significant resources to track studentUsed relatively significant resources to track student– Site used by student: RentacoderSite used by student: Rentacoder

Current RMIT procedure did not helpCurrent RMIT procedure did not help– premised on copy-detectionpremised on copy-detection

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Current RMIT CS&IT ProcedureCurrent RMIT CS&IT Procedure

Copy-detection supported by Copy-detection supported by jplagjplag – very effective for code copy-detectionvery effective for code copy-detection– freely availablefreely available

Procedure: Procedure: – jplagjplag all submissions all submissions– determine interviewees listdetermine interviewees list– Interview (use Interview (use jplagjplag evidence) evidence)– apply penalty, if anyapply penalty, if any

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jplagjplag example example

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jplag example (contd)jplag example (contd)

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RentACoder WebsiteRentACoder Website

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Software BuyersSoftware Buyers

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Ratings for work doneRatings for work done

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Request for Assignment SupportRequest for Assignment Support“I’m looking for coder to help me doing homework’s. (for other students)”“I’m looking for coder to help me doing homework’s. (for other students)”

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Perfect Bider [sic]Perfect Bider [sic]“Age 18-25. Students with good grades and knowledge. Please send “Age 18-25. Students with good grades and knowledge. Please send examples of your homewords, (with assignments.)”examples of your homewords, (with assignments.)”

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Contacting other party outside of site is a violation of Contacting other party outside of site is a violation of both software buyer and seller agreements.both software buyer and seller agreements.

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Features of SDMsFeatures of SDMs

SDM sites that we visited offered:SDM sites that we visited offered:

• Free (for buyer) but compulsory registrationFree (for buyer) but compulsory registration• Request for software development servicesRequest for software development services• Search for services and developersSearch for services and developers• Safepay transactions (typically ESCROW)Safepay transactions (typically ESCROW)• Feedback/Ratings forumsFeedback/Ratings forums

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Preventive solutionsPreventive solutions

WorkshopsWorkshops– Every semester in O-WeekEvery semester in O-Week

– Academic IntegrityAcademic Integrity

DemonstrationsDemonstrations– Specific, in context of pracsSpecific, in context of pracs– StagedStaged

MentoringMentoring– RMIT LEAD initiativeRMIT LEAD initiative– Tried successfully in BusinessTried successfully in Business– Being trialled in Programming Being trialled in Programming

TechniquesTechniques

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ConclusionsConclusions

SDM-based plagiarism needs to augment procedures & SDM-based plagiarism needs to augment procedures & workshops to (1) secure stronger evidence and (2) spread workshops to (1) secure stronger evidence and (2) spread greater awareness about sourcing solutions:greater awareness about sourcing solutions:– Breach of copyright, for posting university documents without due Breach of copyright, for posting university documents without due

permission from the author, andpermission from the author, and

– Plagiarism, unless the work of the successful bidder is acknowledged :-)Plagiarism, unless the work of the successful bidder is acknowledged :-)

Technical solutions needed:Technical solutions needed:– Central IT support to monitor access to SDMs Central IT support to monitor access to SDMs

– Versioning (CVS)Versioning (CVS)

– Validation against turnitin for codeValidation against turnitin for code

– Search sites soon after submissionSearch sites soon after submission

Preventive solutions are essential.Preventive solutions are essential.

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What next?What next?

Do demos and mentoring help to improve results and Do demos and mentoring help to improve results and reduce plagiarism (of all forms)?reduce plagiarism (of all forms)?

Are there Are there feasiblefeasible technical solutions such as software technical solutions such as software agents to monitor (selected) sites for (selected) agents to monitor (selected) sites for (selected) courses/subjects?courses/subjects?

Some quotes to keep in mind:Some quotes to keep in mind:– ““The single most important attribute of a graduate is that they have a highly The single most important attribute of a graduate is that they have a highly

developed respect for academic integrity” Professor Peter McPhee, developed respect for academic integrity” Professor Peter McPhee, University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne

– ““Occasionally people are going to do the wrong thing and get away with it. Occasionally people are going to do the wrong thing and get away with it. What you can do is reduce the incidence and try to change the overall What you can do is reduce the incidence and try to change the overall behaviour” Professor Justin Zobel, RMIT universitybehaviour” Professor Justin Zobel, RMIT university