Not the same article, but here are a couple of articls on the issue...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3753065.stm
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=115&art_id=vn20040530190912783C430303&set_id=1
Thanks, Marc, for posting those URLs. These articles cover the same ground as the one from the one published in the Chronicle.
It's basically the claim of... "Oh, I didn't know it was wrong... I've done it before and always received good grades, so why is it wrong now? Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?"
Some may think that these sorts of claims are ridiculous, but the evidence does indicate that a small minority of students does not really 'know' about the nuances of plagiarism. The fact is that this type of cheating comes in many forms and to simply tell a student to "always credit your sources" as most student handbooks tend to do, is not enough. I am sure you'll agree. Even the posting of detailed policies may not be sufficient. If we are really serious about teaching students about academic integrity and proper forms of scholarship we have to do much more. For years I've been suggesting that institutions provide incoming students with proper instruction on these matters BEFORE they start college classes (say, during freshman orientation). Instruction, however, is not enough either. They should also implement effective assessment techniques that can be used to certify students' knowledge and understanding of these important issues. Passing such an assessment process can be made as a prerequisite for enrollment in regular classes. I would say that even with such procedures in place, faculty should also provide some discussion about plagiarism, etc. in individual courses. Only then can we dismiss, without question, the "I didn't know" claims and justifiably met out swift and effective punishment to offenders.
Obviously, we don't really know the specifics in the case of the UK student and the institution in question, but as I said in the original post, it would not surprise me one bit if a similar situation emerges elsewhere where a lawyer is able to make a case that an institution has failed to provide adequate instruction in a certain area and it is therefore found guilty of some form of academic malpractice.
Miguel
Miguel Roig, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Notre Dame Division of St. John's College
St. John's University
300 Howard Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10301
Voice: (718) 390-4513
Fax: (718) 390-4347
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Http://facpub.stjohns.edu/~roigm
On plagiarism and ethical writing: http://facpub.stjohns.edu/~roigm/plagiarism/
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