 | Popular search engines, such as Google
are capable of identifying original sources.
 |
Search unique phrases within the suspected paper. |
| Try unusual combinations
of words. |
|
Think like a student and type a keyword or phrase
they might use. |
|
|
Since not all search engines index the same sites, try the search with
two or three different engines or a meta search engine (ex. DogPile or
Metacrawler). |
| Run a search in the library's full-text
databases. |
| Look for odd layout and spacing, which occur
with the cutting and pasting of Web pages.
|
| Check for British spellings or colloquial phrases.
|
| The scholarliness of a paper can be a marker for cheating.
Look for sophisticated syntax and abstruse terms
that are inconsistent with the student's vocabulary and writing style.
|
| If you suspect plagiarism but do not have proof,
ask the student about the subject matter of
the paper, unusual vocabulary, and cited references.
Next |
| Let students know that you are aware of term paper mills by taking them to a web site. Have them look at a weak paper and analyze its failures.
|
| Show students how to correctly cite electronic sources.
|
| Approach plagiarism as an issue of fair use and intellectual property.
|
| Whenever possible, give specific, non-generic instructions for papers. For example, don't assign a paper on the broad topic of AIDS.
|
| Approve topics in advance and do not allow last minute changes.
|
| Give writing assignments which will capture students' attention.
|
| Include specific instructions about the bibliography, such as requiring all students to include material from required readings among their sources.
|
| Use the issues raised by the paper mill web sites as a writing assignment on ethics.
|
| Watch your students write by having in-class writing
assignments as well as requiring them to turn in drafts of their papers.
|
| Require students to turn in a copy of the first page for all sources used in the paper.
|
| Ask students to reflect
personally on the topic or the processes of research and writing,
either in the paper or as an additional writing assignment. |
| Require oral reports
of student papers. Ask them questions about their research and writing.
|
Contents 
Collins Memorial Library
