Fear of Failure
There are
several sources of fear. One is that students may feel ashamed to fail,
especially in terms of family expectations. It should be noted that it is more
“honorable” to receive a low grade than to be caught cheating or plagiarizing.
Other
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
Finally
students may claim that they are unable to state the content of a source as
well as the original. In that scenario, instructors may wish to explain
that being able to rephrase a concept is important for the assignment as well
as for learning overall.
Demanding Schedules (and
Lack of Planning)
Students
who work 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.
Perception that Cheating is
Easy
A
significant percentage of students reported that they felt cheating was easy or
that instructors did not enforce the rules. A discussion of the consequences
for academic dishonesty may change that perception. A few well-chosen anecdotes
could also reinforce the concept that academic dishonesty is taken seriously.
Lack of Interest
A student
uninterested in an assignment may be more likely to plagiarize. Allowing
students to select topics or using real-world data/examples may add incentive
for a student to complete the assignment as intended.
“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.
Ignorance about Plagiarism
Although
most students understand that buying a paper online is plagiarism, they 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.
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.
Comments