Plagiarism Detection and Prevention

This week's posting is on plagiarism.

 

What plagiarism detection software is available to online instructors?

Two plagiarism software programs mentioned by Jocoy and DiBiase (2006) are Turnitin and Essay Verification Engine (EVE). Two other plagiarism programs are SafeAssign by Blackboard and Glatt Plagiarism Services.

How can the design of assessments help prevent academic dishonest?

Pratt and Palloff (Laureate Education, 2012) discuss creating assessments that encourage collaboration, similar to what learners will experience in real-life work settings. Pratt remarks that he attempts to develop projects, assignments or exams in such a way that students must access textbooks, websites or other students to complete assignments. He further states, employees rarely work in isolation without available resources. To mimic real-world situations, Pratt creates authentic assessments that promote teamwork; working with others to find solutions.

Although I agree with some of Pratt and Palloff's remarks regarding the design of assessments to prevent cheating, there is a point when learners must demonstrate their knowledge and understanding without the use of textbooks, web resources, or interaction with others. Palloff states when graduates are in the work world it is expected they know how to research and not come up with information off the top of their heads. However, in nursing and other health related professions, passing a licensure exam is mandatory to obtain employment. Graduates ready to sit for licensure exams cannot access any resources; they need to know the information to pass the exam. Employers, patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team are depending on the fact that the employee can function without having to look up information.

In an effort to reduce plagiarism or cheating, what facilitation strategies do you propose to use as a current or future online instructor?

Jocoy and DiBiase (2006) research supports the fact that learners are often unaware of what constitutes plagiarism or cheating. Despite completing English courses that include content on citation and referencing correctly, students claim they do not understand plagiarism. Therefore, as suggested by Jocoy and DiBiase, an assignment or tutorial that addresses plagiarism and cheating, followed by a quiz is one strategy I would employ.  Glatt Plagiarism Services offers a tutorial program with institutional adoption of their program.  Other web sources that address plagiarism are Digital Citizenship and Purdue OWL. Most college and university writing labs and library services offer students help with writing to avoid plagiarism. Providing direct links to these services on course web sites would encourage students to utilize these resources. 

What additional considerations for online teaching should be made to help detect or prevent cheating and plagiarism?

Two other strategies that might discourage students from plagiarizing or cheating are including plagiarism as a rubric criterion and describing grade penalties resulting from plagiarism and/or cheating. Most instructors have a student conduct policy listed in their syllabi. In addition, colleges and universities should develop a repository or central database to monitor student infractions. Faculty must be encouraged to report infractions and complete a form maintained through the repository.  For example, I work at a community college that monitors all student violations of the Academic Honesty Policy through The Office of Student Services. When I report a student for plagiarism, an investigation occurs to determine if the student has previous violations. Expulsion is a possibility for students with more than two violations. The benefit of a central department that monitors student infraction is often educators are unaware of a learner's pattern of dishonesty. If a student is reported repeatedly for the same infraction, stronger penalties can be enforced.

References:

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, 7(1), 1–15.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Plagiarism and cheating. Baltimore, MD: Author