Cyberplagiarism: Detection and Prevention

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In the News

NOTE: Some news links may expire over time, but articles may be accessible via News Archives databases within the Penn State Library.

10+ links, skip to top(P) - Penn State News

May 22, 2007 - Google Bans Essay Writing Advertisements. BBC News

May 16, 2007 - Three Cheating Scandals at Duke, the Air Force Academy and Indiana University School of Dentistry. Summarized in Elizabeth Pyatt's TLT Blog

April 11, 2007 - CBS News Fires Producer for Plagiarism. ABC News

May 12, 2006 - Chinese Scientist Fired Over Chip Fraud and Fake Research. CBS News

May 3, 2006 - Corporate Plagiarism. Language Log. A discussion of how a CEO "inadverdently" plagiarized a book based on a presentation.

March 15, 2006 - Plagiarism "rife" at Oxford. News Guardian (via Tass Plagiarism Blog).

January 4, 2006 - Baltimore Sun Columnist Quits Amid Plagiarism Charges. Fox News.

September 2, 2005 - Student sues paper mill sites for posting her paper without permission. Inside Higher Ed News.

More Archived "In The News" Items

Penn State Policies

These are some links to Penn State Web pages which outline official policies on academic honesty and penalties for students who do not comply with these guidelines.

Assessing Penalties

If you suspect you have discovered a case of plagiarism, please consult with your department or college for specific guidance on how to pursue an official investigation. University Guideline G-9 gives a detailed direction for responding to academic integrity violations of the University's code of conduct.

Penn State System

Sample "Academic Integrity" Statements (Syllabi)

The new Senate Policy 43-00 (Syllabus) requires instructors to provide a statement on Academic Integrity within a syllabus. Your college or department may have a statement they want instructors to use, but if none is provided, the following are statements which have been developed by other colleges.

You can see a list of samples on the Links Page - Sample Syllabus Statement.

College and Campus Policy Statements

You can see a list of samples on the Links Page - Policies.

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Definition

Basic

plagiarize:
v. tr. - 1. To use and pass off as one's own (the ideas or writings of another).
2. To appropriate for use as one's own passages or ideas from (another).

v. intr. 1. To put forth as original to oneself the ideas or words of another.
(from the American Heritage Dictionary)

For more legal definitions and examples, see the Plagiarism in Colleges in USA Web site.

Some Numbers

In a Penn State Pulse Survey on "Academic Integrity" (1999), 44% of students surveyed admitted to cheating on a class assignment.

Interestingly, the cheaters were more likely to have a lower G.P.A. than the non-cheaters although cheating did occur at all G.P.A. ranges.

Plagiarism Web Sites with Examples

Plagiarism can range from submitting someone's work as your own to using long pieces of text or unique phrasings without acknowledging the original source. Plagiarism could also include submitting someone else's program or spreadsheet with minor alterations. The following Web Sites not only define plagiarism, but provide examples of the different types of plagiarism:

A Note on Digital Media and Fair Use

The opportunities for inappropriate copying and use of copyrighted material extend into other media including audio, video, graphics files and even data sets.

Guidelines for "Fair Use" and legal access to these materials are still evolving, but when in doubt: DON'T COPY.

Penn State Links

Additional external Fair Use links can be found on the Links page.

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Causes*

Most students don't spontaneously plagiarize just to be unethical. They typically "justify" it with some other rationale such as a demanding workload, or lack of writing ability.

Reminding students of the penalties and consequences if they're caught will help students see that plagiarism really is not a "solution."

I. Demanding Schedules (& Lack of Planning)

Students who work outside school (some up to 20 hours per week) or have heavy class loads may decide there is not enough time to do the assignment properly. Guidance on organization and the assignment may show students how to better plan their time. Students should also be reminded that the assignments are providing skills and knowledge that may be needed in their future careers.

II. Fear of Failure

Some students may feel their writing or research skills are so weak, that they can only pass the course if they buy a paper written by someone else. Clear guidelines may help students put their skills in perspective

III. "Economy of Effort"

Of course, some students plagiarize because they feel it's easier to copy from someone else than do the work themselves. One strategy for these students is to remind them of long-term consequences. Another strategy is to structure assignments so that plagiarism becomes more work than doing the research.

IV. Ignorance of Policy/Law

Students may not see the distinction between synthesizing sources or true collaboration and certain types of plagiarism such as "cut-and-paste" or too close a paraphrase. Reviewing the different types of plagiarism will let students know what the standards are.

Also, students should be encouraged to add citations as they write, including drafts. This will avoid the excuse - "I meant to put in citations, but I forgot."

V. Seeking Thrills

A small percentage of students may plagiarize just for the thrill of circumventing school policy. One way to combat this could be to present the assignment as a challenge also.

*This section on "Causes" is based on "Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for Research Papers" by Robert Harris.

VI. Cynicism About Grades

In a CNN Online article, some students expressed the view that cheating is necessary in order to maintain a competitive G.P.A. and be successful in life. Comments included:

— "Many students say cheating's OK", CNN Online

In reality though, students with higher G.P.A.'s are less likely to cheat than those with lower G.P.A.'s (1999, Penn State Pulse Survey on "Academic Integrity" ).

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Paper Mills

Below is a sampling of some term paper Web sites which vary in fee, services and tone. Although some sites warn students against plagiarism, they do in fact sell papers or custom written papers.

Experts recommend visiting these Web sites to see their product line and learn how they function. It is also advisable to review papers in your field/assignment area to see what is available.skip paper mills list

See the Links Page for more examples of Paper Mills

Note that subject specific paper mills also exist. Topics include narrow specialties like Jane Austen, Death of a Salesman and the World Wars. See the Coastal Carolina University Papers Mills by Subject for more listings.

A Google Search for "essays" or "research papers" in your topic is also recommended. Students may be doing something similar themselves.

 

Other sources

  1. Papers from previous years (it may be wise to make copies of student papers so you can compare them to suspicious papers in future semesters).
  2. Online encyclopedias (both general and specialized). Some examples:
  3. CD-ROM encyclopedias and references, including Microsoft Encarta.
  4. It is also possible to link to research databases, such as ERIC, which contain full text articles.

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Detection*

I. Positives of Warning Students

When discussing plagiarism with your students, you should warn them if you intend to use special detection services or software. The warning alone may deter some students from plagiarism, and can serve as a clear policy statement should any issues relating to possible discovered cases arise.

II. Some Obvious Signs of a Plagiarized Paper

  1. Changes in formatting, including mixtures of straight quote marks and curly (Smart Quote) marks.
  2. Printed off the Internet with Netscape or Internet Explorer
  3. Web site address (e.g. www.cheathouse.com) in the text
  4. Anachronistic references (e.g. 'Reagan, who is currently president...')

III. Some Subtler Signs

  1. Lack of recent reference sources or unusual references
  2. Paper veers away from topic
  3. Changes in writing style within one paper
  4. Mysteriously improved writing style or mysterious grade-school style
  5. Common phrases which appear in more than one paper (you can search for unusual phrases on the Internet)

IV. Using Google as a Detection Service

If you think a paper has been plagiarized, try searching for a key phrase on a search engine such as www.google.com. This is free and least likely to have negative legal consequences.

V. Turnitin at Penn State

Penn State currently has a license for the Turnitin® plagiarism detection service. See its.psu.edu/turnitin/ for more information. This service compares text from a submitted document against a database of papers from Turnitin and from the Web.

Note: It is strongly recommended you read the Faculty Information page before implementing the service in your course so that you understand all implications for using the service and guidelines for assessing sanctions.

VI. Other Detection Web Sites

These services search a database of papers listed on term paper Web sites to determine if there is a match for text you submit. Many of these services charge a fee.

NOTE: This is a directory only. Results may vary.

Some experts (Braumoeller and Gaines 2002) recommend running software multiple times  because of varying search results.

Detection Software

Software meant to analyze electronic files for similar passages. Students should be warned if you intend to use these packages.
NOTE: This is a directory only. Results may vary.

*This is a compilation of suggestions from Web sites listed in the References section.

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Prevention*

Explain "plagiarism" and its consequences to your students

  1. Incorporate an "Academic Integrity" statement into your syllabus or program. Many Colleges have a template for an Academic Integrity statement in place. Some additional examples are listed below.

    NOTE: As of Spring 2002 Senate Policy 43-00 (Syllabus) requires instructors to provide a statement on Academic Integrity within a syllabus.

  2. If your college or department has an Academic Integrity Web site, provide the URL or link to it in your syllabus if it is appropriate. See the Policy section for some College Academic Integrity Web pages.
  3. Show examples of plagiarism.
  4. Explain proper citation rules and "fair use." The Penn State Library maintains links to citation guides at www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/infolit/andyou/mod8/mod8main.htm
  5. Explain the difference between collaborative work and academic dishonesty. Provide specific details for collaborative projects.
  6. Post drafts or assignments for peer review. Students will receive advise and you will have another set of eyes.
  7. Review the Penn State policies on Academic Honesty (and your own) with your students.
  8. Speak of your awareness of term paper Web sites.
  9. Remind students that they may need the research skills or knowledge in their future careers.
  10. Ask your students to sign a contract.
  11. If you intend to use a plagiarism detection service or software package., warn students ahead of time. The warning alone may may drop the rate of plagiarism.

Restructure writing assignments

  1. Make writing topics specific - it is far more difficult to find and adapt outside papers to specific topics.
  2. Outline the research and writing process for students so they feel more confident in doing their own work.
  3. Work with students to determine a paper topic they like so they have more incentive to do their own research. A standard proposal form/worksheet could be used.
  4. Ask for reference lists and drafts throughout the semester.
  5. Require very recent references or to include sources from a list you provide.
  6. Require students to turn in research notes with final drafts.
  7. Change assignments from year to year.
  8. Make assignments unique to students/year (e.g. a family history, current issues, local issues, personal reactions).
  9. Include alternative genres such as an article review, Web site review, journal, interview or other assignments requiring personal reflection or original research.
  10. Think about providing a bibliography for students so they know where to begin legitimate research.
  11. Research other courses in your area for additional ideas.

Other Tips

  1. Point out which assignments will require longer time commitments at the beginning of the semester.
  2. For longer assignments, spell out how long you expect it to take and suggested work or research tips so students have the opportunity to better prepare.
  3. Avoid tests and assignments which are all multiple choice or simple fill-in-the-blank.
  4. For math and science problems - requiring students to spell out each step will make plagiarism easier to detect. Alternatively, you can allow collaboration for some assignments if appropriate.
  5. If your course includes a threaded discussion area, you should monitor it from time to time to make sure students are practicing academic integrity.
  6. Use multiple assignments instead of one long paper, especially for general education classes.
*This is a compilation of suggestions from Web sites listed in the References section.

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Quiz Resources

See the Quiz Resources Page for more information.

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References & Links

Additional resources are available on the Links Page.Skip References, Top of Page

NOTE: Some links may no longer be active.

(P) - Penn State Resource

Babbie, Earl. "Plagiarism"
http://www.csubak.edu/ssric/Modules/Other/plagiarism.htm (26 Oct. 1998)
http://www.csub.edu/ssric-trd/howto/plagiarism.htm

Braumoeller, Bear F. and Gaines, Brian J. "Actions Do Speak Louder than Words: Deterring Plagiarism with the Use of Plagiarism-Detection Software " The Teacher, Dec. 2001
http://www.apsanet.org/PS/dec01/braumoeller.cfm [No Longer Available]

California State Universities. "Fair Use of Copyrighted Works: A Crucial Element in Educating America"
http://www.cetus.org/fairindex.html (25 Apr. 1996)

Davis, Barbara Gross. "Tools for Teaching: Preventing Academic Dishonesty"
http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/prevent.html (15 Dec. 1999)

Dorn, Sherman. "Lemonade Tutorials: Plagiarism"
http://www.coedu.usf.edu/~dorn/tutorials/plagiarism/plagiarism.htm (Aug. 2001)

Educational Multimedia Fair Use Guidelines Development Committee. "Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia"
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/mtss/fairuse/guidelinedoc.html (17 Jul. 1996) [No Longer Active]

Groark, Marie, Diana Oblinger, and Miranda Choa. "Term Paper Mills, Anti-Plagiarism Tools, and Academic Integrity in Educause, September/October 2001, pp. 40-48.

Ehrlich, Heyward . "Plagiarism and Anti-Plagiarism."
http://www.andromeda.rutgers.edu/%7Eehrlich/plagiarism598.html
http://newark.rutgers.edu/~ehrlich/plagiarism598.html
(20 Mar. 2000)

Harris, Robert. "Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for Research Papers"
http://www.virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm (2 Oct. 2000, 8 Apr. 2001)

Harwood, John T. "Cyber-Plagiarism 2001: Temptations for Students, Tactics for Teachers" (CAC Seminar handout). (Jan. 2001)

Hinchliffe, Lisa Janicke. "Cut-and-Paste Plagiarism: Preventing, Detecting and Tracking Online Plagiarism"
http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/%7Ejanicke/plagiary.htm (May 1998)
[No Longer Available]

Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services. "Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It"
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html

(P) Kemerer, Kathleen. "Techniques for Encouraging Academic Integrity"
http://www.hn.psu.edu/faculty/kkemmerer/acadintegrity/ac-integ.htm (Sep. 2001)
http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/resource/integrity.htm

Leland, Bruce. "Plagiarism and the Web"
http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfbhl/wiu/plagiarism.htm (2 Feb. 2000)

(P) Penn State Center for Excellence in Learning & Teaching (CELT). "Keeping students honest: what works?"
http://www.psu.edu/celt/largeclass/lunches/11-3-00.html (11 Nov. 2000)
[No Longer Available]

(P) Penn State. "Ethical and Legal Use of Digital Media FAQ"
http://www.psu.edu/computing/policies/digitalmedia/dmfaq.html (30 Sep. 1999)

(P) Penn State Division of Student Affairs. "Results of Academic Integirty Student Pulse Survey"
http://www.sa.psu.edu/sara/alphapulse.shtml (1999)

Proctor, Margaret "Deterring Plagiarism: Some Strategies" (30 Mar 2004)
http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/plagiarism.html

Rittman, Andrea L. "Academic Dishonesty Among College Students" (4 Dec. 1996)
http://griffon.mwsc.edu/~psych/research/psy302/fall96/andi_rittman.html [No longer Active]

Slobogin, Kathy. Many Students Say Cheating's OK. CNN Online. (5 Apr. 2002 )
http://www.cnn.com/2002/fyi/teachers.ednews/04/05/highschool.cheating/index.html

Standler, Ronald B. "Plagiarism in Colleges in USA"
http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm (23 Aug. 2000)

Toreki, Rob. "Plagiarism Examples"
http://www.chem.uky.edu/courses/common/plagiarism.html#Examples (12 Dec. 1998)

University of California Davis Student Judicial Affairs. "Avoiding Plagiarism"
http://sja.ucdavis.edu/avoid.htm (25 Oct. 2001)
[No Longer Available]

Walker, Janice. "Columbia Guide to Online Style"
http://www.cas.usf.edu/english/walker/mla.html (Jan. 1999)

Westchester Community College. "How to Discourage Plagiarism"
http://upetd.up.ac.za/authors/create/plagiarism/prevent.htm (Accessed 2 May 2006)

Williams, Sharon. "Avoiding Plagiarism"
http://www.hamilton.edu/academics/resource/wc/AvoidingPlagiarism.html (26 Jun. 1996)
[No Longer Available]

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