Abstract
This paper reports on progress and findings to date on an ongoing action research project designed to address the problem of academic malpractice, notably collusion, amongst postgraduate students on an international MBA programme. Its roots lie in 2008 when it was found that case study assignments had largely designed-out plagia-rism but that collusion had taken its place with the result that 132 cases were taken to the University?s Unfair Practices Committee. Understanding the problem was ap-proached in several ways, including reference to existing literature, which highlighted the importance of students? previous cultural and educational experiences, and quali-tative research drawing on students? views and feelings. As a result, a two-pronged strategy was adopted, one element being a zero-tolerance policy with all MBA assign-ments submitted to the Turnitin text matching software and wide broadcasting of the dangers and penalties resulting from malpractice. These were coupled with strength-ening the induction and Study Skills elements of the programme in order to develop students? independent study skills and understanding and ability to comply with UK academic conventions. We conclude that the dual strategy of prevention and cure was effective, resulting in the overall rate of academic malpractice falling from a high of 34.8%, and of collusion of 26.6%, to single figures with both being maintained with subsequent cohorts. The ongoing question of how best to adapt teaching practices to suit the background and expectations of international students remains unresolved. Therefore, further research is being conducted with selected preliminary findings be-ing presented in this paper.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundThis paper explores the incidence and management of academic malpractice amongst students on a Marketing module within an international Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programme
Our research clearly reflects and reinforces the findings of much of the literature, in particular in relation to the cultural issues (Hayes & Introna, 2005a), the lack of academic and writing skills (Timm, 2008b), the need to be alert to unintentional malpractice (Carroll, 2007a) and, it must be said, the proclivity of some to cheat (Johnston, 2003). It illustrates the efficacy of a combination of early support and guidance, a zero-tolerance policy and the use of the Turnitin text-matching software to identify and discourage malpractice (Carroll, 2002, 2007b; Tennant & Duggan, 2008; Timm, 2008b; Badge & Scott, 2008)
Malpractice was addressed via plenary and workshop sessions which explained about plagiarism and collusion, clearly differentiating the latter from collaboration and provided clear guidance on what is and is not acceptable
Summary
This paper explores the incidence and management of academic malpractice amongst students on a Marketing module within an international Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programme It aims to share a UK University Management Schools‟ experiences to illustrate both why and how academic malpractice may occur and the impact of providing extra student support and the use of Turnitin software to contain the problem. This action was not taken lightly and it was recognised that it raised both ethical and potentially legal issues It was felt necessary if we were to understand the degree of collusion and, as one may expect, caused concern amongst both staff and students, some reiterated in this paper. It was felt that further investigation, upon which this paper is based, would create a better understanding of the problem and its causes and inform future actions
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