Contents
Detecting Plagiarism
So What's a Prof To Do?
Term Paper Mills
Other Sources of Plagiarism
Plagiarism Awareness Sites
|
Detecting Plagiarism
Here are some ideas to try.
- Popular search engines, such as Google
or Yahoo 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
So What's A Prof To Do?
There are a number of strategies for preventing plagiarism.
- 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.
Plagiarism Awareness Sites
|
Collins Memorial Library