policies for academic integrity in montenegro and south east europe - montenegro - 16 may 2017

Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro

Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk

Policies for Academic

Integrity in Montenegro and

South East Europe

Presented by Dr. Thomas Lancaster

from Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

in Bečići, Montenegro

on Tuesday, 16 May 2017

http://thomaslancaster.co.uk/






Introduction







About Dr. Thomas Lancaster

Background

Computer Science academic by background

Associate Dean at Staffordshire University, United

Kingdom (formerly Coventry University and

Birmingham City University)

Completed PhD in plagiarism detection in 2003

Have subsequently researched across the

academic integrity field, including supporting the

Council of Europe work in SE Europe

Best known for publications relating to contract

cheating (students using ghost writers to complete

their work)

Contact Information

Email:

[email protected] (personal)

[email protected] (university)

Website (and blog):

http://thomaslancaster.co.uk

Twitter: @DrLancaster

Slideshare (talk archive):

https://www.slideshare.net/thomaslancaster





mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


https://www.slideshare.net/thomaslancaster



Regular Media Contributor And Speaker







Research Visit To Montenegro (November 2016)

Plagiarism and

contract cheating

workshop at

University of

Montenegro

(Centre for

Doctoral Studies)







Areas For Consideration

What is the current state of academic integrity in South

East Europe?

What good practice is happening around the region?

What are the most important challenges to address?







Academic Integrity







Academic Integrity – Rough Definition(based on many standard definitions)

The set of core values and

principles that underpin the

activities of universities







Academic Integrity Manifests Itself In…

The fairness of assessment processes

The rigour of academic research

The professional values instilled into students

The originality of student work

…and should be integral to the mission of universities







Academic Integrity Research

Within South East Europe







South East European Project on Policies for

Academic Integrity (SEEPPAI)

Council of Europe (ETINED) project, examining the processes and policies in place around academic integrity in South East Europe

Explored the attitudes to academic integrity and associated behaviours such as plagiarism

Data collected October to December 2016 – final report released April 2017

Countries involved

(1) Albania

(2) Bosnia and Herzegovina

(3) Croatia

(4) Montenegro

(5) the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

(6) Serbia







SEEPPAI Project Team Members

Czech Republic SEEPPAI Leads(representing Mendel University in Brno, Czech

Republic)

Support for Mendel University

team

United Kingdom SEEPPAI Leads(representing Coventry University, United Kingdom)

Tomáš Foltýnek Ben Calhoun (from Webster Vienna Private

University, Austria)

Irene Glendinning

Dita Dlabolova Tetyana Kapet Thomas Lancaster(now at Staffordshire University,

United Kingdom)

Dana Linkeschova(from Brno University of

Technology)







Final SEEPPAI Report

http://www.plagiarism.cz/seeppai

Plagiarism Across Europe and Beyond Conference Paper

(24 - 26 May 2017, Brno, Czech Republic)

https://plagiarism.pefka.mendelu.cz

Two main

SEEPPAI

resources

released

so far

(plus slides from

presentations

and further

papers to follow)





http://www.plagiarism.cz/seeppai

https://plagiarism.pefka.mendelu.cz/



Data Collection

Total Number Number from Montenegro

Student Surveys 460 9

Teacher Surveys 255 11

Higher Education Management Surveys 15 0

Student Focus Groups 13 1

Interviews and Group Discussions(Teachers, Managers, National Representatives)

24 3







SEEPPAI Findings







My institution has policies and procedures for

dealing with plagiarism

All countries Montenegro

Strongly Disagree 10.36% 0.00%

Disagree 11.55% 20.00%

Not sure 24.30% 20.00%

Agree 27.09% 30.00%

Strongly Agree 23.90% 10.00%

Not applicable 2.79% 20.00%

Teacher

responses

to survey







My institution has policies and procedures for when

a student uses a ghost writer or third party to

complete an assessment for them



Disagree 10.84% 30.00%

Not sure 25.30% 20.00%

Agree 27.71% 20.00%



Teacher

responses

to survey







Penalties for plagiarism are administered

according to a standard formula



Disagree 9.24% 11.11%

Not sure 40.16% 33.33%

Agree 17.67% 0.00%



Teacher

responses

to survey







There should be more training for students on

avoidance of plagiarism and academic dishonesty

at my institution


Strongly Disagree 0% 0%

Disagree 1.20% 0%

Not sure 4.00% 0%

Agree 28.80% 22.22%



Teacher

responses

to survey







There should be more training for academic

teachers on avoidance of plagiarism and academic

dishonesty at my institution



Disagree 2.01% 0.00%

Not sure 9.24% 22.22%

Agree 29.32% 33.33%



Teacher

responses

to survey







SEEPPAI Examples







Student Comments From SEEPPAI Focus

Groups

“Some professors ignore the option of typing a sentence into Google. They are glad if most of the students pass that exam.”

“Students always know which professors will check.”








Groups

“Students plagiarise because they are not capable of writing.”

“Maybe it’s the mistake of teachers and professors? They don’t teach students how to write proper work.”

“They are used to cheating from primary school. There is a problem in Montenegro.”








Groups

“There are a few professors who are known for taking money to let students pass exams.”







Staff Comments From SEEPPAI Discussions

Very different views depending on the level of staff within the

educational establishment

Processes and policies exist, but are not always known about

or followed

Staff most involved with teaching see more challenges

Teaching staff identify a pressure to publish academic

research, but do not have easy access to research databases







Challenges and Action







Key Challenges Across SE Europe

Contract cheating (ghost writing)

Examination cheating

Bribery and financial corruption

Lack of student education regarding plagiarism and academic

writing

Lack of support for teaching staff with continued professional

development







Good Practice In SE Europe

Teaching assistants provided the opportunity to study

abroad – then bring good practice back with them

Spoken examinations used to check that students

understood their subject

Academic integrity policies developed based on those used

in partner institutions







SEEPPAI Conclusions

There is some good practice in every country (and there is

much more good practice included in the main report)

There is more work to do in every country

Much good practice is led by individual academics

who want to make a difference







Closing Question

Why should staff and students act with

academic integrity (when others do not)?

What is their reward?



