The Nassau County Library Association Academic and Special Libraries Division37th Annual Continuing Education Conference

You Create it, We Steal It: Copyrights and Plagiarism in the 21st Century Librarypresents

PlagiarismHutchins Gallery – C.W. Post Campus Library

2nd May 2008

By Amrita Madray

Reference Librarian/Plagiarism Coordinator LIU/C.W. Post Campus Library

516-299-2833 -- amadray@liu.edu

2005 - Center for Academic Integrity study stated “levels of cheating and plagiarism remain high”

2006 - Chronicle of Higher Education noted 37 graduate students plagiarized their theses and dissertation.

2006 – The Harvard Crimson reported sophomore plagiarized text in two novels

Overview

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Overview

2007 – Library Philosophy and Practice published a plagiarism research study that was conducted on C.W. Post College Freshman

pre-test was designed to ascertain incoming students' basic understanding of plagiarism

post-test was intended to indicate the usefulness of the Plagiarism Awareness session

Study by Amrita Madray

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Freshman are not prepared to do college level work

Need Help in◦ Understanding plagiarism◦ Reading and Comprehension◦ Paraphrazing, Summarizing, Quote,Cite◦ Writing skills are deficient

Recommendation

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High School: there is a need to have an emphasis on:

◦ early intervention – an intensified reading, writing, and research into the curriculum

◦ require Reading, Comprehension, and Writing competencies before diplomas are granted

Study concluded

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College: there is a need to use and integrate information

◦ Recommendation for the creation of an intense one-or two-credit core course (over one semester) integrating information literacy, research techniques, citation formatting instruction, and extensive plagiarism discussions for freshmen

Study concluded

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Collaboration

◦ academic librarian work with faculty to offer tips and techniques for designing assignments and exercises requiring the use of different sources of information

McCabe (2005) aptly borrows from the popular African proverb: "It takes the whole campus community-students, faculty and administration-to

effectively educate a student" (Madray, 2007)

Other recommendation

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Pressure – teachers, parents

Fear – bad grade, weak writing skills

Procrastination – wait until the last minute

Lazy – no intention to do assignments

Access – readily available

Unconcerned – students’ perception of faculty

Some reasons for plagiarizing

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Intentionally◦Learned trait

Unintentionally◦Unaware◦Lack ability and skills◦International Students

Plagiarism Occurs

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Turnitin Request

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Spring 2005

Spring 2006

Spring 2007

# Submissions

162320# Plagiarized

# Unintentional

2.50

7.50

12.50

Resources to combat plagiarism Librarian

Library Plagiarism Webpage

Turnitin.com

Academic Misconduct Policy (work in progress)

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Classroom Prevention

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Design Creative Assignments Administer - varied, specific and clear Add - an analysis or criticism component

Give - smaller research projects

Coordinate- due date with length of assignments

Require - assignments written, orally and electronically

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Chalk Talk Syllabus – define Plagiarism, Intellectual Property, Academic Integrity

Academic Dishonest Policy - explain yours

Plagiarism – create a debate

Skills – teach research skills Sources – demonstrate advantages of citing

Examples – offer some repercussions – e.g

http://lib.ollusa.edu/libinfo/info/plagnews.htm

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Monitor Research/Writing

Approve topic/thesis statement

Require draft/outline

Submit annotated bibliography that

includes current sources

Specify style

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More tips Schedule Library Instruction

Assign group work

Offer guidance

Set an example

Be Approachable

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Referral

Writing: The Writing Center

Citation Style for Research Papers

Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)

Citation Style Manuals

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On Detecting

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Writing

◦Is it too scholarly?

◦Writing style - poor to excellent

◦Sentences – unusual, spelling, verb

tenses

◦Setting - location

CLUES

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Inconsistencies

Font Style

Format/layout of assignment

Page Numbers

Imbedded links

◦

More Clues

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Research topic differs from assignment, class work, incomplete assignment

◦References Is it current? Is it complete? Is it readily available?

◦ Know the Paper Mills

More Tips

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Trust- your expertise

Request – a copy of sources

Search – invisible Web

Consult – librarian

Use – Plagiarism Detection Service http://www.turnitin.com

More Tips

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Make appointment with student

Discuss paper

Inquire/question

Require student give synopsis of their work

on demand

If plagiarism is suspected

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Unintentional –

◦ Offer help in the Writing Process, (note-taking,

compiling a bibliography)

◦ Refer student to the writing center

◦ Recommend writing classes

Consequences

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Intentional

◦ Repeat assignment

◦ Fail Course

◦ Face expulsion

oConsult your school Academic Misconduct Policy

Consequences

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Students' Guide to Preventing and Avoiding Plagiarism

Student Plagiarism exercise

http://www.cwpost.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/exhibits/plagstudent.htm

For Students

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C.W. Post Campus Library Website:Preventing and Detecting Plagiarism

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