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Plagiarism, the web and schools

Plagiarism, the web and schools. Some statistics. 2004 3,600 teenagers caught cheating on coursework (QCA) 2005 4,500 candidates penalised for malpractice in A Level/GCSE exams and coursework (27% increase) (QCA) 1,400 cases involved plagiarism

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Plagiarism, the web and schools

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  1. Plagiarism, the web and schools

  2. Some statistics • 2004 3,600 teenagers caught cheating on coursework (QCA) • 2005 4,500 candidates penalised for malpractice in A Level/GCSE exams and coursework (27% increase) (QCA) 1,400 cases involved plagiarism • 2005 QCA survey reveals many candidates are aware of cheat sites and some had 'tried' to download essays • 2006 SQA investigates 83 allegations of plagiarism compared with 41 in 2005 • 1 in 20 parents admits to giving help for GCSE coursework (The Times) • 2008 58% teachers identified internet plagiarism as a concern 55% said aid students did not have sufficient understanding of what plagiarism was and what counts as legitimate research.

  3. Coursework and plagiarism • Problems with coursework: • Ensuring standardisation between schools • Preventing plagiarism and collusion… • Actions taken by QCA • 2005 consultation on coursework • Summer 2006 recommends return to exams • Greater use of controlled conditions • Oct 2006 ends 'teacher set and marked' coursework in several GCSE subjects, replaced by controlled assessments • Actions taken by SQA • 2005 'Plagiarism – a guide for teachers and assessors' sent to all schools • 2007 SQA Quality Framework criteria updated to include requirement to‘Take steps to minimise the risk to plagiarism’ • All students receive guide 'Preparing your coursework' • Focus on designing out plagiarism opportunities in assessments

  4. Who is to blame? • Scaffolding technique 'a kind of mass plagiarism' (AQA) • Writing frames, templates, checklists lead to 'coursework cloning' (QCA) • Edexcel criticises 'teaching by numbers' • 'The outsourcing of education by schools encourages a dynamic where many parents become far too directly involved in producing their children's homework'(Furedi, Guardian 28/3/06) • 'Plagiarism peaks in years 6, 10 and 11 as pupils prepare for crucial tests'(UCL report)

  5. The web and plagiarism • Why? • Easy to copy and paste • Volume of information – harder to trace sources? • Belief that web sources do not need to be cited • How? • Essaybanks • Social networks, messageboards • Auction sites • Bespoke writing and editing services

  6. Is the web all bad news? • Web makes it easier to detect plagiarism • Powerful search engines • Specialist detection tools • Some papers are published at multiple locations – increases chances of detection • Many 'anti-plagiarism' resources online • Online plagiarism detection

  7. Online plagiarism detection • Any detection service acts as a deterrent in itself • Helps identify whether a problem exists • Can be used to offer guidance to students, rather than punishment • Automated services save time with large teaching groups

  8. Methods of detection • Search-based services • e.g. Turnitin, EVE, SafeAssign • Analyse structure and content of document, comparing it to database of web pages • Edexcel coursework scanned by Turnitin since 2005 • All JCQ bodies use Turnitin • Writing style analysis • Collusion detection • Using search engines • Common sense

  9. Limits of Electronic Detection • Technical and administrative restrictions • Format requirements • Bulk or single upload? • Cost • Data protection • Limit of coverage • Only finds web-based plagiarism • Won’t detect bespoke essay writing • Might not detect subtle word rearrangement • May falsely report plagiarism • Legitimate quoting from sources within “ ” and properly cited • Frequently occurring phrases

  10. Summary • Various automated plagiarism detection services exist • Automated detection alone can only flag up possible plagiarism • Human analysis and decisions will always be needed as well Funded by Eduserv

  11. Glossary • QCA Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Public body maintaining national curriculum, accredits and monitors qualifications in schools and colleges • JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications. Represents all awarding bodies, compiles statistics, helps create common standards • Awarding bodies: • AQA Assessment and Qualifications Alliance. Emerged from merger of AEB and NEAB. Largest. • Also, Edexcel, UCLES and Scottish, Welsh and NI bodies

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