On the issue of good citation practice, Steven Henderson responds,
"This is great if your students have the time and inclination to make an
argument with quotes and citations. Otherwise, noting that two well
written and cited paragraphs use different citation systems is a good sign
that the student as blagging from more than one source, but nothing else."
I understand this view. In my classes students make the time to shape
proper arguments. It is a requirement. My teaching assistant team uses an
immense amount of effort to help our students learn these skills.
Because most project develop through repeated iterations, we are able
to see that students do their own work, and we can monitor and build
on their personal growth. No system is perfect, but my sense is that
we have relatively little cheating.
Given the fact that citations must be consistent, my students do not
turn in papers with paragraphs in different citation systems. There are
occasional mistakes and inconsistencies, but these are the kinds of
things seen when students try to cite material from grey literature or
Internet and haven't yet mastered the sometimes peculiar requirements.
Our grading standards call for good argument and proper citations.
The seven grading criteria at the Norwegian School of Management
are:
1) Knowledge and understanding of the subject area,
2) Ability to define and analyze the problem,
3) Understanding and use of method,
4) Presentation, interpretation and discussion of results,
5) Logical development of the report,
6) Effective use of language and ability to communicate,
7) Effective and proper use of sources and references.
Again, nothing is perfect. We've got to start somewhere, and I choose
to start aiming for intellectual growth and ethical development. It's better
than a cynical view. I'd rather teach students to develop and use skills --
and reward them on it -- than to worry about cheating.
I appreciate Esteban Treviño's thoughts. This is, after all, a matter of
judgement and application in individual cases.
--
Ken Friedman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategic Design
Department of Technology and Knowledge Management
Norwegian School of Management
Visiting Professor
Advanced Research Institute
School of Art and Design
Staffordshire University
Home office
Byvaegen 13
S-24012 Torna Haellestad
Sweden
+46 (46) 53.245 Telephone
+46 (46) 53.345 Telefax
email:
ken.friedman@bi.no