How do you address plagiarism in higher education?

1 Define plagiarism clearly

The first step to address plagiarism is to define what it is and what it is not. Different disciplines and contexts may have different standards and expectations for academic integrity and citation. Therefore, you should make sure that you and your students understand the rules and guidelines of your institution, department, and course. You can provide clear definitions and examples of plagiarism, as well as the consequences of violating them, in your syllabus, assignments, lectures, and feedback. You can also direct your students to reliable resources and tools that can help them avoid plagiarism, such as style guides, online tutorials, or plagiarism checkers.

2 Teach proper citation skills

The second step to address plagiarism is to teach your students how to cite their sources correctly and ethically. Many students may commit plagiarism unintentionally, due to lack of knowledge, skills, or confidence in their own writing. Therefore, you should provide explicit instruction and practice on how to paraphrase, summarize, quote, and reference different types of sources, using the appropriate citation style for your discipline. You can also explain the benefits and purposes of citation, such as acknowledging the contributions of others, supporting your arguments, and demonstrating your research skills.

3 Design plagiarism-proof assignments

The third step to address plagiarism is to design assignments that are challenging, relevant, and original. Some assignments may be more prone to plagiarism than others, such as those that are too easy, too vague, too common, or too isolated. Therefore, you should create assignments that require your students to apply their critical thinking, creativity, and personal voice to the topic. You can also vary the formats, topics, and requirements of your assignments, and align them with your learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Moreover, you can scaffold your assignments into smaller and manageable tasks, and provide feedback and guidance along the way.

4 Detect plagiarism cases

The fourth step to address plagiarism is to detect any possible cases of plagiarism in your students' work. You can use various methods and tools to help you identify and verify plagiarism, such as comparing your students' work with each other or with online sources, using plagiarism detection software or services, or looking for signs of inconsistency, discrepancy, or poor quality in your students' work. However, you should also be careful not to rely solely on these methods and tools, as they may not be accurate, reliable, or fair. You should also use your own judgment and expertise to evaluate your students' work.

5 Respond to plagiarism cases

The fifth step to address plagiarism is to respond to any confirmed cases of plagiarism in your students' work. You should follow the policies and procedures of your institution and department when dealing with plagiarism cases, and document the evidence and actions taken. You should also communicate with your students and explain why their work is considered plagiarism, and how it affects their academic performance and integrity. Depending on the severity and intentionality of the plagiarism case, you may decide to impose different sanctions or remedies, such as giving a warning, reducing the grade, requiring a revision, or reporting to the authorities.

6 Prevent plagiarism cases

The sixth step to address plagiarism is to prevent it from happening again in the future. You should foster a culture of academic honesty and integrity in your classroom and institution, and encourage your students to value their own and others' work. You should also provide ongoing support and feedback to your students, and help them develop their writing and research skills. Furthermore, you should review and revise your own teaching and assessment practices, and seek feedback from your colleagues and peers. By doing so, you can create a positive and respectful learning environment that discourages plagiarism and promotes excellence.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?