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“Plagiarism
occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other
original (not common-knowledge) materials without acknowledging its source”
(Council of Writing Program Administrators, 2003). Since plagiarism adversely affects academic integrity, efforts should be
made to minimize its occurrence. Palloff (n.d.) has explained that while cases
of plagiarism in the online environment are more visible than the face to face
environment, research seems to indicate that cases of plagiarism in the online
environment are as prevalent as in the face to face environment.
Plagiarism
detection software
While the risk and/or opportunity of indulging in plagiarism is greater
in the online environment because of the ease of use of the “copy and paste”
facility, the ability to detect plagiarism has significantly increased due to
the availability and use of plagiarism detection software such as Turnitin (Jocoy
& DiBiase, 2006). A study conducted by Bull, Colins, Coughlin and Sharp
(2000) revealed that most of the available software tools were relatively
effective at detecting plagiarism. However, the same study also noted that “there is not a
single service or software tool that will detect all sources of plagiarised material encountered by academics” (p.5.)
in particular content from electronic
discussion boards and conventional paper based books and theses.
Concerns have also been raised about the non-use of available plagiarism
detection software by some faculty. A study conducted by Brown , Jordan
Additional
strategies
Some faculty prefer to use assessment design as a means of discouraging
dishonesty. For example, this can be achieved by designing assessments that
require students to demonstrate application of knowledge. Other faculty have
reported using plagiarism detection software to teach students how to cite (Brown , Jordan
References
Bull, J., Colins, C., Coughlin, E., & Sharp, D. (2000). Technical
review of plagiarism detection software report. Retrieved from
Brown, V.,
Jordan, R., Rubin, N., & Arome, G. (2010). Strengths and weaknesses of plagiarism
detection software. Journal of Literacy and Technology, 11(1/2),
110-131. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.
Council of Writing Program
Administrators (2003). Defining and avoiding plagiarism: The WPA statement on best
practices. Retrieved from
Jocoy, C.,
& DiBiase, D. (2006). Plagiarism by adult learners online: A case study in
detection and remediation. International
Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning, (1), 1-15. Retrieved
from Education Research Complete database.
Palloff,
R. (Walden University
I find it interesting that the Counsel of Writing Administrators define plagiarism as “when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) materials without acknowledging its source”. In the resources Dr. Pollaff and Dr. Pratt state that most plagiarism occurs unknowingly. That the student does not realize they are violating institution and ethical policy. They suggest that as the facilitator we should take a proactive stance, informing students about what plagiarism is.
ReplyDeletePlagiarism inhibits student learning and damages institutional reputations. Online learning provides different opportunities for student plagiarism than in the traditional classroom, and many observers question whether online learning environments can demonstrate the same level of academic integrity found in traditional classrooms.
ReplyDeleteIn designing assessments there is no single approach that will deter plagiarism, but various strategies that can be adopted and reinforced. Assessments should be designed with the student in mind but also assessments should be aligned with the course goals and outcomes. Designing assessments that make the students submit individual projects, interviews and assignments may help to deter plagiarism. It is very important that clear guidelines and consequences for plagiarism be given early in the course and stated in the course syllabus.
Hi Hilary
ReplyDeleteYou quoted “there is not a single service or software tool that will detect all sources of plagiarised material encountered by academics” and this is because the service builds a database from all students from the institution. If it happens that a student transfers to another institution that does not use turnitin, there is no record of their work and consequently when the work is compared into that new database, then that student has a fresh start. Therefore, the instructor have no way of detecting a student’s earlier work. It seems that it is a game of cat and mouse, but for the most part we have to trust that all students will be honest, especially after we provide them with proper training into the correct practices in preventing plagiarism.