PlagiarismPlagiarism

Marilyn KieferMarilyn Kiefer

Joanna Haselhuhn Joanna Haselhuhn

PlagiarismPlagiarism

According to the Merriam-According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Webster Online Dictionary, "plagiarize" means"plagiarize" means– to steal and pass off as one’s own (the to steal and pass off as one’s own (the

ideas or words of another):ideas or words of another):– use (a created production) without use (a created production) without

crediting the sourcecrediting the source– to commit literary theft: present as new to commit literary theft: present as new

and original an idea or product derived and original an idea or product derived from an existing sourcefrom an existing source

Pew Internet Project FindingPew Internet Project FindingThe Digital Disconnect: The widening gap between Internet-savvy students and their schools. The Digital Disconnect: The widening gap between Internet-savvy students and their schools.

August 14, 2002August 14, 2002 – What students think about the Internet in relation to their schooling… – What students think about the Internet in relation to their schooling…

“ “The Internet as virtual tutor and study The Internet as virtual tutor and study shortcut. Students think of the Internet as shortcut. Students think of the Internet as one way to receive instruction about one way to receive instruction about material that interests them or about material that interests them or about which they are confused. which they are confused. Others view the Others view the Internet as a way to complete their Internet as a way to complete their schoolwork as quickly and painlessly as schoolwork as quickly and painlessly as possible with minimal effort and minimal possible with minimal effort and minimal engagement. For some, this includes engagement. For some, this includes viewing the Internet as a mechanism to viewing the Internet as a mechanism to plagiarize material or otherwise cheatplagiarize material or otherwise cheat.”.”

Further…Further…from the Pew studyfrom the Pew study

““Students maintain that schools Students maintain that schools should place priority on developing should place priority on developing programs to teach keyboarding, programs to teach keyboarding, computer, and computer, and Internet literacy Internet literacy skillsskills.”.”

Extent of the ProblemExtent of the Problem

The growth of the Internet is phenomenal, The growth of the Internet is phenomenal, giving us immediate access to information giving us immediate access to information on any topic.on any topic.

Plagiarism has always existed; the Plagiarism has always existed; the Internet has only made it faster and Internet has only made it faster and easier.easier.

Students need to be aware that just Students need to be aware that just because technology allows someone to because technology allows someone to copy and paste does not mean that this is copy and paste does not mean that this is an appropriate method of writing a paper.an appropriate method of writing a paper.

Why students cheatWhy students cheat

To maintain high GPAs.To maintain high GPAs. To get done sooner.To get done sooner. They are unlikely to get caught.They are unlikely to get caught. They feel pressure from parents and They feel pressure from parents and

peers to get into a good college.peers to get into a good college. It’s no longer socially unacceptable; It’s no longer socially unacceptable;

everyone does it.everyone does it. Cutting and pasting material is quick, Cutting and pasting material is quick,

easy, and very tempting.easy, and very tempting.

They simply do not understand what They simply do not understand what plagiarism is, believing that everything on plagiarism is, believing that everything on the Internet is in the public domain.the Internet is in the public domain.

Some students fear their writing ability is Some students fear their writing ability is inadequate.inadequate.

Some students like the thrill of rule Some students like the thrill of rule breaking.breaking.

Some students have poor time Some students have poor time management and planning skills.management and planning skills.

StatisticsStatisticsfrom www.plagiarism.orgfrom www.plagiarism.org

““The State of Americans: This Generation and the Next” (The State of Americans: This Generation and the Next” (Free Free PressPress, July 1996) states that 58.3% of high school students let , July 1996) states that 58.3% of high school students let someone else copy their work in 1969, and 97.5% did so in someone else copy their work in 1969, and 97.5% did so in 1989.1989.

According to the Gallup Organization (Oct. 6-9,2000), the top According to the Gallup Organization (Oct. 6-9,2000), the top two problems facing the country today are: 1)Education and 2) two problems facing the country today are: 1)Education and 2) Decline in EthicsDecline in Ethics

A national survey published in A national survey published in Education WeekEducation Week found that: found that:– 54% of students admitted to plagiarizing from the Internet;54% of students admitted to plagiarizing from the Internet;– 74% of students admitted that at least once during the past 74% of students admitted that at least once during the past

school year they had engaged in “serious” cheating; andschool year they had engaged in “serious” cheating; and– 47% of students believe their teachers sometimes choose to 47% of students believe their teachers sometimes choose to

ignore students who are cheating.ignore students who are cheating.

According to surveys in According to surveys in U.S. U.S. News and World ReportNews and World Report******

80% of "high-achieving" high school students 80% of "high-achieving" high school students admit to cheating. admit to cheating.

51% of high school students did not believe 51% of high school students did not believe cheating was wrong. cheating was wrong.

95% of cheating high school students said that 95% of cheating high school students said that they had not been detected. they had not been detected.

75% of college students admitted cheating, and 75% of college students admitted cheating, and 90% of college students didn't believe cheaters 90% of college students didn't believe cheaters would be caught. would be caught.

Almost 85% of college students said cheating was Almost 85% of college students said cheating was necessary to get aheadnecessary to get ahead

***turnitin.com 2/4/03***turnitin.com 2/4/03

Recognize the SignsRecognize the Signs Vocabulary, writing style, and grammar are unusually Vocabulary, writing style, and grammar are unusually

advanced and adult.advanced and adult. Student has inserted a paragraph or sentence of his/her Student has inserted a paragraph or sentence of his/her

own creation that is remarkably less sophisticated than the own creation that is remarkably less sophisticated than the rest of the paper.rest of the paper.

Gray letters appear in the text--an indication that the page Gray letters appear in the text--an indication that the page was downloaded from the Web. Color letters on a screen was downloaded from the Web. Color letters on a screen show up gray in a printout.show up gray in a printout.

A student prints out an essay directly from his Web A student prints out an essay directly from his Web browser, perhaps even leaving a Web address at the top or browser, perhaps even leaving a Web address at the top or bottom of a page.bottom of a page.

The layout of the paper seems strange. Page numbers, The layout of the paper seems strange. Page numbers, heading, and spacing do not correctly transfer in a hasty heading, and spacing do not correctly transfer in a hasty cut-and-paste job.cut-and-paste job.

A student leaves in references to graphs, charts, or A student leaves in references to graphs, charts, or accompanying material that is missing from the body of the accompanying material that is missing from the body of the paper.paper.

Inactive Web sites are listed in the bibliography.Inactive Web sites are listed in the bibliography. Bibliographic citations are all older than 5 years.Bibliographic citations are all older than 5 years. The student makes reference to historical persons or events The student makes reference to historical persons or events

while speaking in the present tensewhile speaking in the present tense.. A student is unable to summarize the main points of the A student is unable to summarize the main points of the

paper or answer questions about parts of his or her writing.paper or answer questions about parts of his or her writing.

Pinpoint the SourcePinpoint the SourcePlagiarism of a Web site, personal home page, material Plagiarism of a Web site, personal home page, material

posted by an organization or term paper millposted by an organization or term paper mill Select a suspected plagiarized phrase in the text of a Select a suspected plagiarized phrase in the text of a

student’s paper.student’s paper. Look for unique wording, advanced vocabulary. A phrase of Look for unique wording, advanced vocabulary. A phrase of

5-10 words will work effectively. Sometimes, use just one 5-10 words will work effectively. Sometimes, use just one word.word.

Go to a search engine and input selected word or phrase – Go to a search engine and input selected word or phrase – in quotes - in the search box. in quotes - in the search box.

Use your Internet browser’s “find” tool (under edit menu) to Use your Internet browser’s “find” tool (under edit menu) to locate exact plagiarized words on a page. Do not use locate exact plagiarized words on a page. Do not use quotes.quotes.

Try another search engine if necessary. Prefer a single Try another search engine if necessary. Prefer a single search engine rather than using a meta search site. search engine rather than using a meta search site. Recommendations:Recommendations:– Google (Google (www.google.comwww.google.com))– Yahoo (Yahoo (www.yahoo.comwww.yahoo.com ) )– AltaVista (AltaVista (http://altavista.comhttp://altavista.com ) )

Term paper sources…Term paper sources… Become familiar with the Internet Become familiar with the Internet

term paper sites where students can term paper sites where students can obtain research papers for free or for obtain research papers for free or for a fee. See a list of over 250 sites a fee. See a list of over 250 sites posted at posted at http://www.coastal.edu/library/mills2.http://www.coastal.edu/library/mills2.htmhtm..

Examples:Examples:– Go to Go to http://screwschool.comhttp://screwschool.com..– Try www.a1-termpaper.com Try www.a1-termpaper.com

To detect suspected plagiarism on To detect suspected plagiarism on the web:the web:

– Go to www.yahoo.comGo to www.yahoo.com– Do a search on “There is much to be Do a search on “There is much to be

said about innocence”said about innocence”– Go to http://www.google.comGo to http://www.google.com– Do a search on “If one is with innocence Do a search on “If one is with innocence

than one can do no wrong”than one can do no wrong”

Plagiarism of a journal article from an online databasePlagiarism of a journal article from an online database Example:Example: Use InfoTrac/General Reference Center Gold (on Use InfoTrac/General Reference Center Gold (on

media center homepage) media center homepage) http://hs.novi.k12.mi.us/mediacenterhttp://hs.novi.k12.mi.us/mediacenter

Perform a Relevance search, placing quotes Perform a Relevance search, placing quotes around a suspected plagiarized phrase.around a suspected plagiarized phrase.

Make sure you indicate that you want to “Search Make sure you indicate that you want to “Search for words…in entire article content.” for words…in entire article content.” – Do a search on “you may use web site content as you Do a search on “you may use web site content as you

wish”wish”– Infotrac retrieves “ Infotrac retrieves “ Essential AssistantEssential Assistant, Jan2003v16ilp6(1), Jan2003v16ilp6(1)– Try searching for this phrase at Try searching for this phrase at http://http://google.comgoogle.com..– No results found.No results found.

Plagiarism detection sites are availablePlagiarism detection sites are available. . Most charge a fee. Some sites allow you to use their Most charge a fee. Some sites allow you to use their service for a trial period. Recommended programs include:service for a trial period. Recommended programs include:

Turnitin.com (Turnitin.com (www.turnitin.comwww.turnitin.com))– $250 annual licensing fee + 50 cents per student ($900/1700)$250 annual licensing fee + 50 cents per student ($900/1700)– Unlimited classes/teachers/submissions/originality reportsUnlimited classes/teachers/submissions/originality reports– Peer review servicePeer review service– Free trials: Free trials: www.turnitin.com/static/free_trial.htmlwww.turnitin.com/static/free_trial.html

Last one month, allow a max of 5 paper uploadsLast one month, allow a max of 5 paper uploads

Plagiarism.org (Plagiarism.org (http://www.plagiarism.orghttp://www.plagiarism.org)) Glatt Plagiarism Services, Inc. (Glatt Plagiarism Services, Inc. (

http://plagiarism.comhttp://plagiarism.com))

Detecting PlagiarismDetecting Plagiarism

One district is considering the purchase of a site license to One district is considering the purchase of a site license to Turnitin.com to provide students with the opportunity to Turnitin.com to provide students with the opportunity to submit papers to the Turnitin service before turning their submit papers to the Turnitin service before turning their papers into their teacher. They will have had the papers into their teacher. They will have had the opportunity to correct errors, to modify poorly paraphrased opportunity to correct errors, to modify poorly paraphrased ideas of others, or to delete information that is plagiarized ideas of others, or to delete information that is plagiarized verbatim. The teacher has the option of re-submitting verbatim. The teacher has the option of re-submitting papers for those students who didn’t check their own work. papers for those students who didn’t check their own work.

Naples (Florida) High School. Naples (Florida) High School. The Book Report, September/October 2002, p.28.The Book Report, September/October 2002, p.28.

PreventionPrevention Educate your students about plagiarism. Define it and give Educate your students about plagiarism. Define it and give

examples.examples. Discuss copyright and the Internet.Discuss copyright and the Internet. Require most references to be up-to-date, at least one in the last Require most references to be up-to-date, at least one in the last

year.year. Provide a list of specific topics; change from semester to semester Provide a list of specific topics; change from semester to semester

when possible.when possible. Require specific components, such as 3 Internet sources, 2 book Require specific components, such as 3 Internet sources, 2 book

sources, 2 journal sources, incorporate something you provide, sources, 2 journal sources, incorporate something you provide, interview, survey, graph, etc.interview, survey, graph, etc.

Teach bibliographic citation and the benefits of citing sources Teach bibliographic citation and the benefits of citing sources (performed research, supports students position, etc.)(performed research, supports students position, etc.)

Obtain a sample of the student’s in-class writing at the start of a Obtain a sample of the student’s in-class writing at the start of a semester in order to have a basis for comparison if plagiarism is semester in order to have a basis for comparison if plagiarism is later suspected.later suspected.

Structure a research assignment so that various deadlines are due Structure a research assignment so that various deadlines are due at different times. Confer with students about their progress.at different times. Confer with students about their progress.

Require students to turn in a thesis statement/abstract, annotated Require students to turn in a thesis statement/abstract, annotated bibliography, outline, rough draft, and photocopies of cited bibliography, outline, rough draft, and photocopies of cited references. Set a series of due dates.references. Set a series of due dates.

Consider having students use a note-taking Consider having students use a note-taking method where black text signifies ideas of others method where black text signifies ideas of others and green text represents the ideas of the and green text represents the ideas of the student.student.

Have students keep a journal on their progress in Have students keep a journal on their progress in completing a major assignment. completing a major assignment.

Discourage projects that ask students to simply Discourage projects that ask students to simply gather facts about a topic. Prefer projects that gather facts about a topic. Prefer projects that require explanations, problem solving, choices, require explanations, problem solving, choices, decision-making, and personal reflection.decision-making, and personal reflection.

Emphasize essential questions – questions about Emphasize essential questions – questions about human issues or that are at the heart of a human issues or that are at the heart of a discipline. Encourage students to ask their own discipline. Encourage students to ask their own questions and formulate their own answers.questions and formulate their own answers.

Require oral reports of student papers.Require oral reports of student papers. Make the penalties clear.Make the penalties clear.

WebsitesWebsites http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/

plagiarism.html#wwwplagiarism –what plagiarism plagiarism.html#wwwplagiarism –what plagiarism is and how to identify itis and how to identify it

www.fno.org/may98/cov98may.html -ways to www.fno.org/may98/cov98may.html -ways to design research projects design research projects

http://www.virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm strategies http://www.virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm strategies for research papersfor research papers

http://www.aresearchguide.com/6plagiar.html http://www.aresearchguide.com/6plagiar.html hundreds of links for students & teachershundreds of links for students & teachers

http://www.nwmissouri.edu/library/courses/http://www.nwmissouri.edu/library/courses/business/plagiarism.htm for teachers and business/plagiarism.htm for teachers and studentsstudents

http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic24b.htm - http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic24b.htm - Plagiarism and the InternetPlagiarism and the Internet

http://www.easybib.com provides a free, online http://www.easybib.com provides a free, online service that creates citations in MLA or APA style.service that creates citations in MLA or APA style.

SourcesSources Levin, Douglas. The Digital Disconnect: The Levin, Douglas. The Digital Disconnect: The

Widening Gap between Internet-Savvy Students Widening Gap between Internet-Savvy Students and Their Schools. www.pewinternet.organd Their Schools. www.pewinternet.org

Harris, Robert. Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for Harris, Robert. Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for Research Papers. Research Papers. http://virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htmhttp://virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm

Willems, Harry. Plagiarism @ Your School Library. Willems, Harry. Plagiarism @ Your School Library. Library Media Connection, February 2003. Library Media Connection, February 2003.

Lincoln, Margaret. Internet Plagiarism. Lincoln, Margaret. Internet Plagiarism. MultiMedia Schools, January/February 2002.MultiMedia Schools, January/February 2002.

Janowski, Adam. Plagiarism: Prevention, Not Janowski, Adam. Plagiarism: Prevention, Not Prosecution. The Book Report, Prosecution. The Book Report, September/October 2002.September/October 2002.