Managing Plagiarism in Managing Plagiarism in Distance EducationDistance Education

Helen Ewing D.H.Sc., M.N., RN Director, Doctor of Health Sciences Program

Ade Anast PhD

Director, Writing Center

A.T. Still University - May 31, 2012

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives Discuss practices for managing plagiarism at individual and

organizational levels

Examine plagiarism detection software

Develop processes that can be implemented

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Definition Definition The term plagiarism was originally derived from the Latin word referring to

kidnap or plunder.

(Angelil-Carter, 2000)

“The act of taking the writings of another person and passing them off as one’s own. The fraudulence is closely related to forgery and piracy—practices generally in violation of copyright laws.”

(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2012)

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Definition Definition “Plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language,

ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.”

(The Council of Writing Program Administrators, n.d., para 5)

Plagiarism has been defined in the literature as lying, cheating, stealing, and passing off other people's work and ideas as your own. This could be through ignorance or intentional deception.

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What Constitutes Plagiarism What Constitutes Plagiarism

Students submit papers written by others as their own Not clearly referencing direct quotes with quotation marks

and authorship Paraphrasing or presenting other peoples ideas without

proper citation and attribution

Prevalence of PlagiarismPrevalence of Plagiarism Academic Dishonesty

– 23-25% in the 1940s

– 59% in the 1960s

– 60-76% in the 1990s(Bennett, 2005; Chao, Wilhelm, & Neureuther, 2009)

– 63-87% currently(McCabe, Trevino, & Butterfield, 1999; 2001; Jones, 2008)

Why be ConcernedWhy be Concerned Reputation – professional, program, and institutional

Mistrust of academics, research, scholarly publications

Speculate how future generations will analyze situations and problem solve

Student IssuesStudent Issues Lack of knowledge of scholarly writing principles Lack of understanding what plagiarism means Belief that everything on the internet is public domain Lack of time Disorganized and stressed Belief they can get away with it Limited writing skills

Student IssuesStudent Issues Not interested in learning or critical thinking Linguistic challenges Belief plagiarism is not harmful Need to maintain good grades Financial reasons to succeed It is easy to do

(Bennett, 2005; Bretag & Mahmud, 2009; Chia-An, Wilhelm, & Neureuther, 2009; Evans, 2006; Faucher & Caves, 2009; Liddell, 2003; Neill & Shanmuganthan,2004).

 

 

Faculty IssuesFaculty Issues Faculty struggle with identifying and providing consistent processes for

managing plagiarism Faculty/instructors may not know what constitutes plagiarism Faculty/instructors time pressured Lack of institutional policy and support Fear of reprisal and litigation Lack of administrative support Not wanting to affect students’ advancement/academic standing Large class sizes  (Chia-An, Wilhelm, & Neureuther, 2009; Bennett, 2005)

Strategies for Increasing Strategies for Increasing Academic IntegrityAcademic Integrity

Develop honor codes Educate students around scholarly writing Clear and consistent policy and implementation Faculty development and support Use of anti-plagiarism software Discuss academic integrity with students and what it means Involve students in building a community of integrity

Strategies for Increasing Strategies for Increasing Academic IntegrityAcademic Integrity

Develop thoughtful assignments – that promote critical thinking

– that include collaborative work

– that are distinct and individualized

– use different assessments– exams, papers, projects, presentations, discussions

– use test banks for randomly-selected questions

Tools for Detecting PlagiarismTools for Detecting Plagiarism

Turnitin Safeassign Easy Verification

Engine (EVE) Writecheck

Plagiserve Google Search Engine ETBLAST CrossCheck WCopyfind

TurnitinTurnitin Developed by iParadigms in 1998 Most widely-used software Used by respected universities: Harvard, Georgetown Compares submissions to tens of millions of archived

papers/articles/web documents/on-line publications Economical ($0.87 - $1.50 per student annually) (iParadigms, 2005)

Turnitin ReportTurnitin Report Looks at similar text and phrases Report identifies percentage of similarity of text and word

matches of 8-10 words Identical phrasing is highlighted, underlined, color-coded and

matched to original source Identifies similarities based on source: internet source,

publications, students papers

Legal ConsiderationsLegal Considerations Lawsuit against iParadigms (2007)

– Intellectual property concerns

– Copyright infringements Case dismissed by Court of the Eastern District of Virginia Appealed

United States Court of Appeals (April, 2009)

– Storing papers in a database for comparison does not violate copyright laws and falls within fair use exception of copyright infringement

Strengths and Limitations of Strengths and Limitations of Anti-Plagiarism SoftwareAnti-Plagiarism Software

Strengths

Quick and time efficient

Inclusive

Accurate

Reduces biases

Economical

LimitationsFalse positives

Training required

Student anxiety

Policy development

CautionCaution

Turnitin reports must be objectively analyzed by someone trained in

evaluating the report before conclusions are drawn

One University’s JourneyOne University’s Journey

A.T. Still University's Process A.T. Still University's Process in Developing a “in Developing a “ProcessProcess””

Developed a committee representing six programs Met once per month Reviewed the literature to better understand the issue Examined two of the anti-plagiarism software programs Discussed goals and objectives of developing a process Reviewed accrediting bodies requirements for programs to

ensure the integrity of students’ work

Goals for Developing ProcessGoals for Developing Process Enhance the reputation and credibility of ATSU Promote scholarship Use consistent procedures Graduate people capable of scholarship who best represent

the institution Better understand plagiarism detection software

Standard Language in SyllabusStandard Language in Syllabus Define plagiarism Describe forms of plagiarism State that Turnitin is used to assess written work Stress that the university considers plagiarism a serious

offense Offer resources to learn more about avoiding plagiarism

***See example syllabus provided 

What We doWhat We do All assignments are submitted to Turnitin Two-member team reviews Similarity Index Report

First occurrence:

Completion of the ATSU’s University Writing Center’s Proper Use of Sources tutorial

Resubmission of the assignment for a reduced grade of 20%

 

 

The First TutorialThe First Tutorial

What we thought the need was What we wanted to accomplish How we chose to do it

“Some of them just don’t get it. Week after week after week…”

Avoiding Plagiarism TutorialAvoiding Plagiarism Tutorial

Step 1: Contact the UWC Step 2: View online tutorials/Read handouts Step 3: Revise assignment with UWC Open-ended deadline Halfway through added writing assignment

“But this is the way I’ve always done my papers……..”

Year 1 ResultsYear 1 Results Students required to participate: 137 23% never contacted; 15% never completed 40% were ESL 1% of tutorial students had used the UWC 12% of tutorial students used UWC afterwards

“OK, OK, I just forgot the quotation marks and page number…”

Year 1 LessonsYear 1 Lessons

Issue was larger than imagined Plagiarism is the wrong word to use – the first time Skills need to demonstrated and practiced Finite time to complete was needed Need to track and document ESL needs had to be addressed

“I did not cut and paste. I retyped the whole thing myself…”

Changes in Year 2Changes in Year 2

Contact immediately – not 48 hours 10 days to complete – not open-ended Reliance on the APA Publication Manual Additional skill-building and practice Began ESL service through UWC

“Well, I am dropping out and going to a school that isn't so strict about this…”

Proper Use of Sources TutorialProper Use of Sources Tutorial Skill-based, paraphrasing, citing, quoting, and referencing Four steps: Call, Read, Practice, Revise Set realistic expectations Emphasis placed on APA Publication Manual Fixed time limit for completion

“Oh, you have to cite even if it’s from a web page?

AdministrationAdministration

Track and document Save all emails and papers Faculty in the loop

“I have just been so busy lately, working two jobs and I have kids… Guess I got careless.”

Year 2 Results Year 2 Results As of June 1 - 148 students enrolled 19% never contacted; 17% never completed 44 % were ESL students 12 repeat offenders 2% had used UWC in the past ESL students continued to use UWC

“This is really inconvenient, my husband and I leave on a cruise Friday…”

Year 2 OutcomesYear 2 Outcomes

5 repeat offenders failed a course 3 students were expelled from ATSU 10 students voluntarily withdrew from courses

“OMG, those were my READING notes, not my real paper… I submitted them by mistake”

Plan for Moving ForwardPlan for Moving Forward Monitor process Evaluate outcomes Develop training/education program for faculty Revise process based on annual review Perform research in this area

What are Others SayingWhat are Others SayingNPR July 19, 2010Talk of the NationCheating in College is Widespread – But Why?http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128624207

New York Times August 1, 2010

Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age.

By Trip Gabrielhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/education/02cheat.html?_r=1&ref=us

Contact InformationContact Information

Helen EwingDirector, Doctor of Health SciencesArizona School of Health SciencesA.T. Still UniversityMesa Arizona

(480) 248-8142hewing@atsu.edu

Ade AnastDirector, University Writing CenterA.T. Still UniversityMesa Arizona(641) 455-8832aanast@atsu.edu

ReferencesReferencesAngelil-Carter, S. (2000). Stolen language? Plagiarism in writing. Essex: Pearson Education

Limited. Bennett, R. (2005). Factors associated with student plagiarism in a post-1992 university.

Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 30(2), 137-162. Bretag, T. & Mahmud, S. (2009). A model for determining student plagiarism:

Electronic detection and academic judgment. Journal of University Teaching &Learning Practice 6(1), 49-60.

Chia-An, C., Wilhelm, W., & Neureuther, B. (2009). A study of electronic detection and pedagogical approaches for reducing plagiarism. The Delta Pi Epsilon Journal,, LJ(1), 31-42.

Council of Writing Program Administrators. (n.d.). Definition of plagiarism. Retrieved April 25, 2012 from http://www.wpacouncil.org/node/9

ReferencesReferencesEvans, R. (2006). Evaluating an electronic plagiarism detection service: The importance of

trust and the difficult of proving students don’t cheat. Active Learning in Higher Education, 7(1), 87-98.

Faucher, D., & Caves, S. (2009). Academic dishonesty: Innovative cheating techniques and the detection and prevention of them. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 4, 37-41.

iParadigms. (2005). Turnitin. Instructor user guide. Retrieved July 1, 2010 from http://iparadigms.com/history.htmlJones, k. (2008). Practical issues for academics using the Turnitin plagiarism, detection software.

International Conference in Computer Systems and Technologies - CompSysTech’08 .Liddell, Jean. (2003). A Comprehensive Definition of Plagiarism. Community &

Junior College Libraries,11( 3), 43-52.

ReferencesReferencesMcCabe, D., Trevino, L., & Butterfield, K. (1999) Academic integrity in honor code and non-

honor code environments: A qualitative investigation. The Journal of Higher Education,70(2), 211-234.

/McCabe, D., Trevino, L., & Butterfield, K. (2001) Cheating in academic institutions: A decade of research. (Ethics and behaviour, 11(3), 219-232.

Neill, C., & Shanmuganthan, G. (2004). A web-enabled plagiarism detection tool. IT Pro IEEE Computer Society, September/October, 2004.

Plagiarism. (2012). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved April 24, 2012, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plagiarism