Students Think That Cheating Should Be Allowed at University Exams

Chinese students in the city of Zhongxiang protest strict security measures during university entrance exams by saying, "We want fairness. There is no fairness if you do not let us cheat." ("Chinese Students and Families Fight for the Right to Cheat Their Exams," The Sydney Morning Herald, June 22, 2013). Metal detectors used by proctors found cell phones and transmitters used to gain unfair advantage during the test. Angry parents claim that cheating on such tests in China is widespread and that not allowing it puts their children at a disadvantage. At the exam held last year in this city, some 99 papers were found to be copied.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the point of allowing everyone to cheat on a university entrance exam?
2. Comments on the weight placed on memorization and recitation in China prevent students from learning how to think for themselves. The Chinese government hopes that "creativity and innovation" will help the country grow economically (The Atlantic, June 21, 2013 http://goo.gl/DVllu). Do you think that essay and short answer tests are the solution for curbing cheating and producing students who improve China's future outlook?

Jane Goodall, Plagiarist?

Using several unattributed and marginal sources for her new book, Seeds of Hope, noted author and primatologist, Jane Goodall has been labeled as a plagiarist ("Jane Goodall’s ‘Seeds Of Hope’ Book Contains Borrowed Passages without Attribution," Washington Post, March 19, 2013). In an email written as a response to these claims, she notes that she wanted to use a variety of "reliable sources." However, she seemingly took words from the less-than-authoritative Find Your Fate website according to the Post article, that doesn't list its sources. Also, her arsenal of quality information includes details lifted from Wikipedia.

Discussion Questions:

1. Goodall isn't an expert of plants, so why do you think she decided to write a book on a topic she doesn't know well?
2. What criteria do you use to select your sources of information for research papers? 
3. Do you use Wikipedia for college projects? Why or why not?
4. How do you make sure you don't plagiarize another author's work? Do you have a system for keeping a record of your sources?

Toronto School Board Chair Resigns Over Plagiarism Allegations

Due to plagiarism allegedly found in an article, speech, blog, and his PhD dissertation, the Toronto District School Board Chairman resigned his post (The Globe and Mail (CA), January 11, 2013, "TDSB Director Resigns over Plagiarism, PhD Dissertation Includes Unattributed Passages"). Chris Spence copied another author's work and neglected to cite sources in his 1996 dissertation, written before he accepted his most recent job in 2009. In a December 2012 blog post, he took similar wording from a St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer responding to the Sandy Hook (CT) school tragedy. In his resignation statement, he apologized for his actions.

Discussion Questions:

1. Should a school board chairperson receive a greater punishment for plagiarism than someone in another line of work?
2. There was no mention of him having to relinquish his degree as a result of the alleged doctoral dissertation plagiarism. Should he be required to make corrections to his 1996 PhD publication in order to keep the degree? Or should he lose his PhD due to what appears to be plagiarism?

Scientist Faked Data in Multiple Experiments

At least six instances of research misconduct were found in studies by a former Harvard psychology professor according to an internal university audit of his work and an investigation by the federal Office of Research Integrity (Boston Globe, September 5, 2012, "Former Harvard Professor Marc Hauser Fabricated, Manipulated Data, US Says"). Marc Hauser resigned his Harvard position last summer after a leave of absence and a faculty vote that would have prevented him from teaching. The main problems with his research stem from inaccurate data collection and reporting. He is now subject to greater limitations and scrutiny on any federal research he conducts for the next three years.

Discussion Questions:

1. When a researcher's work is found to be faulty in a number of cases, is it fair to suspect that all the studies he/she conducted may not be valid? Why or why not?
2. What happens to the reputation of all the students and researchers that worked with Hauser? Is their role in the problematic studies called into question as well? Or does Hauser's statement of responsibility for the errors absolve all the other researchers of suspected misconduct?

Take-Home Exam Cheating by 125 Harvard Students

Some 125 Harvard students face an investigation after their take-home exams from spring 2012 displayed striking similarities that suggest unauthorized collaboration (Bloomberg Businessweek, August 31, 2012, "Harvard Cheating Probe Under Way for About 125"). "Penalties may include a warning or probation, and some students may be exonerated," said Jay Harris, dean of undergraduate education.

Discussion Questions:

1. Traditionally, take-home exams allow students to have freedom to use a variety of sources. How can a professor prevent students from discussing a take-home exam or using the same sources to answer the questions that may cause their answers to seem duplicated?
2. Should academically advanced students at a prestigious university like Harvard know that cheating of any type of test is against the rules? Or do you think the professor's instructions to the class may have been unclear?
3. Has their been further news on this story that sheds light on why this situation occurred? Check a library news database like ProQuest Newspapers to see if new information has surfaced about this topic.

Journalist Fabricated Bob Dylan Quotes in Book

Writer/author Jonah Lehrer's dramatic ethical fall (see the July 10, 2012 blog post) now includes creating false quotes from legendary singer, Bob Dylan that were included in Lehrer's latest book, Imagine: How Creativity Works ("Jonah Lehrer, Caught Making Up Bob Dylan Quotes, Resigns from The New Yorker," New York Magazine, July 30, 2012). Then Lehrer proceeded to lie about his dishonest act when journalist Michael C. Moynihan questioned him about the source material for the quotes. Lehrer explained away the lack of a trail for the quotes by telling Moynihan that the material could be found in "unreleased footage" of Martin Scorsese’s documentary No Direction Home and other sources that don't exist. Lehrer has resigned his staff writer job at New Yorker.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Lehrer's credibility is seriously damaged due to his fabrication and lies. Are readers of his other books and articles going to suspect that his other writings may be totally or somewhat false? Why or why not?
2. Can Lehrer regain his credibility so that he can secure another job as a journalist? Or should he become strictly a fiction writer? Why or why not?
3. What should Lehrer do to atone for his deception, especially to the libraries, individuals, and groups that purchased some 200,000 copies of his latest book?

European Leader Accused of Plagiarism

While two Romanian academic panels agree that Prime Minister Victor Porta clearly plagiarized parts of his doctoral paper, the government-appointed National Ethics Council (NEC) says he simply didn't include footnotes and relied solely on a bibliography to cite sources ("Conflicting Verdicts on Romanian Prime Minister's Plagiarism," Nature, July 20, 2012). Porta is charging that the investigation is politically motivated, while his critics note that the entire committee of the NEC was replaced with new members in June by a Porta cabinet official after another government leader was accused of plagiarism.

Discussion Questions:

1. Should Prime Minister Porta resign if he is found to have plagiarized his doctoral paper by two of three investigative bodies? 
2. If he was found to have inadvertently omitted footnotes, should he be allowed to correct the paper and resubmit it while being able to keep his job?
3. Should a Prime Minister be held to a higher standard for academic integrity than any other doctoral candidate? Specially, if he was found to have been careless in citing sources, should he lose his PhD and his job?