Got Plagiarism? I Have a Cure!

2011 BLEND Conference

Ida M. Jones, J.D. Verna Mae & Wayne D. Brooks Professor of Business Law

Special Assistant to the Senior Academic Technology Officer California State University, Fresno

idaj@csufresno.edu 559 278-5711

Symptoms of Plagiarism

• Writing varies from assignment to assignment • Paper or other assignment:

– Demonstrates sophisticated mastery of terminology – Includes information not specifically covered in the course – Has very sophisticated writing style

• Others?

One test to Determine Cause: Survey

5.9%  

71.6%  94.1%  

26.8%  0%   1.6%  

0.0%  20.0%  40.0%  60.0%  80.0%  100.0%  

Proportion  of  Participants  Who  Admitted  to  Plagiarism  

Plagiarized  Never  Plagiarized  Failed  to  Respond  

Cure Treat Students’ Lack of Clear Definitions: • Workshops • Face to Face: Academic Integrity Workshop • Online: Online Plagiarism Module Treat Students’ Ability to Find Assignments Elsewhere • Re-design assignments to make them more plagiarism-resistant • Re-consider how you assess whether students have used sources

– Use plagiarism detection software such as Safe Assign – Require that students attach copies of their sources to their

assignments – Others suggestions?

• Ask students to prove what they have learned

– Brief oral presentations – Office meetings to ask for summaries – Other suggestions?

• Create assignment(s) that tie to personal or classroom experiences

– Require that assignments make specific reference to textbook, classroom discussions

– Require that assignments make specific reference to personal experiences

– Other suggestions? • Re-evaluate course structure and assignments

– Change the assignments every semester – Require submissions in steps – Other suggestions?

Treat Lack of Institutional Support with Institutional Policy Implementation and Enforcement • Create institutional definition of plagiarism • Institute an Honor Code • Encourage consistent enforcement of policies

• Implement University-wide sanctions