Prevention and Detection Plagiarism: Prevention and Detection

Prevention Begins with Questions and Topics Broad and less specific questions lead to more purchased or copy and paste papers, while specific course defined questions limit the prepackaged work available online Global warming = Google search yields over 10 pages of free papers Greenland Glaciers = less than 2 pages Encourage students to focus self-chosen topics into unique or unusual areas and watch for submissions with broad topics Limit Sources Limit sources available for use on assignment (post sources on MO2) Require sources that are recent (most prepackaged papers are dated) Require copies of all sources with used content highlighted Use group sources for self policing

Focus on Process Another way to prevent plagiarism is to incorporate the writing process into the assignment. Collecting materials early in the writing process encourages students to use the writing processes taught in GEN 101, ENG105 and 106, and it reduces procrastination. These materials could include: In-class topic presentations Collecting outlines Collecting drafts or peer reviewed drafts with their final paper Requiring an annotated bibliography Requiring students submit copies of their sources and highlighting the sections used in their work

Strategies for Detection

Detection Services And Software Submitted papers are compared to items on the web (some can search password protected databases) Yay! Most return a color coded, hyperlinked report Some use key word and phrase searches Some use linguistic tests requiring a student to fill in words removed from a sample to verify the linguistic choices are consistent with the author’s. Collusion detection for work submitted within a class or university Nay. Words and phrases are chosen at random Does not account for common phrasing within a discipline Difficulty catching good plagiarists (changes in tense and word order) Can return properly quoted and cited materials as suspect Cost vs time savings (loading papers or sections for evaluation) It perpetuates the cat and mouse game

Classroom Environment Detection software creates an atmosphere where students must prove their innocence. A clear foundation for student use of sources Help students understand how they build upon the work of others (the chain of research and ideas) To take their place in the criticism of the old ideas and the discovery of the new Clear and well-defined penalties for violations

Random search Announce clear penalties, place them in the syllabus, and be consistent. Announce you will randomly check papers. Be fair and clear but non-threatening For example: Any direct quotes without quotation marks will result in a failing grade for the assignment. Do not focus on poor performing or disengaged students only. Plagiarists can be active and engaged students trying to live up to an expectation (many since high school). Students who have done high quality work early in the semester can fall to pressure at finals.

Indications of Plagiarism in Student Work A police officer once told me … Catching plagiarism is like fishing …

Indications of Plagiarism in Student Work Varying fonts may indicate material copied and pasted from the Web. A variety of styles, citation methods, or a wide variety in the accuracy of citations Active hyperlinks in the text No references, quotations, or personal connection to the topic. Cited source material in some sections but other sections include obvious use of source material with no citations. Bibliography entries present that have not been cited in the final draft

Indications of Plagiarism in Student Work Anachronisms: Well written material that sharply veers off topic in sentences and paragraphs. Well written material out of logical sequence, or the paper structure does not match the complexity of the language Datedness: The paper contains facts that are no longer true (political references like Vice President Bush or Prime Minister Blair). If the sources in references or works cited are approximately the same age (all five yrs. old). The writing does not sound like the student. Look for jargon or specialized vocabulary. Sections of the paper may be brilliant while other sections are below average.

Confirming Plagiarism The best way to confirm a plagiarized paper is a trusty Web search. This is most likely how the student found the material. Databases can also be searched for journal articles. Type in any unusual or suspect phrase into a search engine to find content, or if the paper was purchased on the Web, a search engine can find the original paper. Use quotation marks around unique phrases to refine your search. Limit search to short unique phrases Use incorrectly and correctly written versions of the text in the search engine; students who are copying and pasting rarely correct mistakes in the source material.

Confirming Plagiarism Discussion with the student If possible, know the answer before having the discussion and have copies of the materials If uncertain ask for copies of notes, outlines, and drafts Ask detailed questions about the paper and the choices made in the structure or writing Clear penalty and student course of action to prevent further plagiarism Mandatory writing center visits Tutoring Conferences