Student Plagiarism (Essay Sample)

STUDENT PLAGIARISM
Introduction
The rate of plagiarism has increased immensely; however, much response is based on deterrence so that students could adopt realistic approach to achieving genuine grades in exams. In most cases, the universities have put in place regulations which include but not limited to; detection and punishing affected students so that institutions may realise the need to adopt better approach to passing examinations (MMU, 2009a). However, the issue of student plagiarism is a far much more complex fact that could not be eliminated through adoption of single strategy. Instead, it requires a holistic approach that could involve institutions in holistic way. The process could be supported by qualified agencies from external scope (Bretag & Green, 2009).
Despite the increase in plagiarism cases, people are more concerned in determining approaches that could completely eradicate inhumane practice in academics. The level of education is affected by increased student plagiarism within the colleges in UK and the global scope (Ledwith & Rísquez, 2008). Technological advancement might have been causative factor to alarming rate of plagiarism. The internet gurus have developed executable and online based computer programs with ability to search and get similar information (Saunders et. al., 2009). Thus require skilled expertise so that the required information may not only be obtained from the internet, but also run against software for confirmation of originality (Bretag & Green, 2009).
In a nutshell, it is realistic that the internet has greatly complicated facts on originality of written texts. The famous fact on authorship has been misused by dubious personalities without commendable information. Such initiative play around with information obtained from other sources. It has also encouraged greater cultural anxiety on authorship and text originality. It is confirmed that all information contained on internet does not depict realistic and factual issues (Bryman & Bell, 2011).
However, due to lack of control and proper measures, many people derive pleasure in posting unconfirmed essays, or what is authored by different personality. This greatly increased information content on the internet (MMU, 2009b). Individuals with poor readership often search for information from internet and select what seem closer to contents of their writing. It brings them nearer to copy pasting information contents from secondary sources.
Aims
The proposal is concerned with alarming rate of student plagiarism in academic and learning institutions. It targets respective approaches that could be adopted to eradicate the problem that could cripple academics within the global scope.
Objectives
To identify prevalence and extent of student plagiarism
Specific objectives are to:
Determine the causes of student plagiarism.
Solutions to avoid student plagiarism.
Importance of the research objectives in exploring problem of plagiarism
The research objectives are important since proper adherence to the same could solve the research question which is based on the identified and rising cases of plagiarism among students (MMU, 2009b). The involvement of students in the research to determine the causes of student plagiarism will effectively derive a lasting solution that could enhance safe academic background. In a nutshell, when students are filly incorporated in the research, they would realise the need to derive a mechanism that could save them from ruining their lives professionally. This also creates a perception that the vice is fought at all levels of academic institutions (Carroll & Appleton, 2001).
The lecturer’s and instructors also would get a way forward in the process of delivering academic materials and resources to the students (Tennant & Rowell, 2010). This is a prudent approach that could revamp the academic realm. Both students and the teaching staff would gain mutual coexistence and embrace team work and corporation in the quest to accomplish a common goal (JISC, 2010). After identification of the respective causes of plagiarism, both parties could suggest better ways of dealing with the issue so that the academic institutions produce competent and reliable graduates who are capable of handling the myriad technological challenges in their respective areas of professionalism. In relation to adage, when students fail to adopt strategic approach towards passing their examination, it implies that they plan to fail not only in examination but also in accomplishing their career objectives (East, 2010).
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Research on plagiarism indicates that it was until the year 2000 when the devastating issue could be defined in the UK. Similarly to the other parts of the world, the scourge could be comparatively asserted since rate of technological advancement immensely increased afterwards. This implies that, universities and other institutions that greatly relied on authored materials never shown concern on plagiarism (MMU, 2009b). In addition, the affected individuals in the past did not face the full force of the law. But due to alarming rate of plagiarism, there are stiff rules in place to curb the issue which has seen many students graduate with grades that do not reflect their potential in class work (Saunders et. al., 2009). The number of cases detected in the past did not reflect the true number of students engaged in plagiarism, it enhanced leniency within the examination boards in regard to dealing with offenders (Bryman & Bell, 2011).
In reality, information content based on plagiarism has immensely increased past the year 2000. This affirms that there is huge research done to derive causative facts and corresponding consequences that could encourage students to embrace individual academic efforts (Bennett, 2005). The huge literature on deriving better approaches to deal with complexity of the plagiarism issue, and corresponding approaches that could be adopted to deter students from engaging in the scourge. This is an indication that the global fraternity realised dangers of plagiarism, and strives to completely eradicate the vice (Carroll & Appleton, 2005).
Myriad helpful information has been published in regard to the issues. Some of the areas covered in eradicating the issue include but not limited to; enabling both teaching staff and the students to understand the meaning of the word plagiarism. Many people define it as motivations and attitudes linked to unacceptable behavior. It is realistic that plagiarism is doubtless and continuously getting common within the national and global scopes (Ledwith & Rísquez, 2008). This has seen the students being given rules against plagiarism during commencement of their courses within universities. To some extent lecturers strive to integrate their lesson plans to accommodate lessons about plagiarism so that students could realise how serious and realistic the institutions of higher learning is, in regard to the victims of plagiarism (MMU, 2009a).
It is also embraceable that the last couple of years have seen many people, students and staffs realise the seriousness involved in discouraging the victims of plagiarism to stop the poor habit (East, 2010). Most of academic institutions have since implemented the regulations that do not favor victims; they may opt for withdrawal from the courses, expulsion, and corporal punishment of levied fees to sensitise on how serious the issue is (Bryman & Bell, 2011).
Students in myriad situations do not show interest in their academic life. It is realistic that most of them derive pleasure from working on assignments when the durations are overdue. This implies that they major in minor and minor in major issues of their life (MMU, 2009a). Despite being employed while studying, it is important to dedicate some time to academics. Numerous media focus articles have stated facts regarding education. Higher education is the most affected as far as plagiarism issue is concerned (Ledwith & Rísquez, 2008).
Lazy and busy students often take advantage of their financial capabilities to but essays and research articles for their projects and class work. Some companies have emerged with poor recruitment processes on selecting their employees (writers) (Bretag & Green, 2009). These people are human beings and also require time to participate in writing, sports activities, and family affairs and so on. But the students do not realise that everybody could be committed (Carroll & Appleton, 2001).
In severe cases, students upload their class work (papers) too late and expect the writers to accomplish the writing work within the shortest time possible (JISC, 2010). Due to work pressure and unclear assignment instructions, some writers’ especially unskilled writers who as sluggish in accomplishing order requirements get to copy work from other authors (MMU, 2009b). Such cases are applicable only when used minimally, and should be indented, quoted or italicised so that it could be realistic that it is obtained from other sources. In addition, there should be in-text citation and reference for the same (East, 2010).
The need to spend less time and energy is among the causative factors to the alarming cases of plagiarism (Carroll & Appleton, 2005). Conversely, the other facts that could be cited are based on relative attributes by different electronic plagiarism detection systems (Saunders et. al., 2009). The main worry is the best approach that could be taken to curb the scourge. To make it serious, academic institutions have of late ventured into publication of reading materials on plagiarism and ways to avoid it (Bryman & Bell, 2011). Conversely, there are dedicated contribution sites which are definitely specialised in creating awareness on how to avoid student plagiarism. In a nutshell the...