Alternating between grading papers and writing one about how people select
flexible benefits, ack all around. Anyway, I've got one paper where 80% of
the sentences can be mapped back to a sentence in the original article (the
assignment is to write a 2-3 page summary of a journal article). The
student changed a few words in each sentence so none of them are exact
matches.
It is pretty clear that this student didn't understand what he was reading
or writing, for example, he substitutued the word 'polish' for the word
'buffered' (we aren't talking about shining shoes) and he substituted
'mentor' for 'member'. The sentences don't make much sense in many cases.
I guess I'm concerned about explaining this type of plagiarism to the
student. Since it isn't simply copying entire sentences, and since this is
not a very bright student, how do you explain the parameters of acceptable
paraphrasing?
In class I do some of the plagiarism exercises we discuss on this list, and
I emphasize the dire consequences of copying "even short phrases" - direct
quote from the assignment. This student, however, doesn't come to class
often. That's his problem but meanwhile I have to explain to him (and it's
possible this will be sincerely puzzling) why what he did is unacceptable.
Here is a quote from the assignment handout:
"The entire paper must be in your own words. No quoting allowed. Do not
copy sentences or even large phrases. This can be a serious offense so be
careful! Even if you copy sentences accidentally, it still counts as
plagiarism. You might try not looking at the article as you write; this
may force you to put things into your own words. Moving the words around
in a sentence or changing a couple of words in a sentence is still
plagiarism - even if you give credit to the source of the words. Figure
out the idea of what you are trying to say, then figure out a way to state
that idea in your own way."
Here are a couple of examples - I typed up a document of the article text
compared to his text. The first sentence is from the original, the second
is the student's:
To identify the potential moderators of perceived discrimination, we
reviewed streams of research on acculturation, social support, and careers.
However, the moderators are summarized based on research on acculturation,
social support, and careers.
Research on acculturation suggests that familiarity with a host culture may
protect an individual from the effects of perceived discrimination
(LaFromboise, Coleman, & Gerton, 1993; Mendoza, 1989; Phinney, 1990;
Sanchez & Fernandez, 1993).
Studies on acculturation says experience with a similar culture can defend
a person from the likes of perceived discrimination.
Indeed, acculturation reduces feelings of inadequacy caused by perceived
discrimination because acculturated individuals perceive themselves as
members of both their ethnic group and the mainstream (LaFromboise et al.,
1993).
However, acculturation reduces feelings of ineffectiveness due to beheld
discrimination because acculturated people think of themselves as mentors
of their ethnic and cultural groups where by they learned (coped) from.
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I would appreciate some input on this - would you agree that this is
unacceptable? Almost every sentence in this paper can be mapped to a
sentence in the source - to me that is a big clue that the line has been
crossed. My partner disagrees, he thinks this is not over the line.
Reality testing with you-all.
By the way, I tried something new with the few cases of plagiarism I had on
the first paper. If the student is contrite (or at least not
argumentative, and they have all been contrite or at least sullen) I assign
them to write a summary of one of Miguel Roig's journal articles about
undergraduates and plagiarism. I give them up to 2/3 credit. This has
worked out really well for me and the students have reacted very
positively. Highly recommended.
With my current problem student I am certain I will have bigger problems.
His first paper was lost between my mailbox and me (no other papers were
lost). I gave him unlimited time to get the paper to me - benefit of the
doubt that it was somehow lost - finally I got it 4 weeks later. This is
the paper I am grading now. His second paper has not yet shown up and is
over a week late. He was unable to get a copy of the first paper
(something about a friend's computer, lots of mumbling) and requested that
I assign him the mean grade that everyone else received on the paper! He
hasn't made that connection that he has to work really hard at school. He
has been polite but opaque - just doesn't seem to get that he has to learn
and work.
I just had to vent. Appreciate any insight. Erica
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Erica Klein
University of Houston
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
