Plagarism

Plagiarism

Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to stipulate the policy that is utilised by Business Schools in terms of plagiarism in the assessment process of a student.

1.2 Applicability

This document applies to all students who are required to provide assessment feedback.

Glossary

2.1 Abbreviations and acronyms

|Abbreviation/Acronym |Interpretation |
|RPL |Recognition of prior learning |

2.2 Terms

|Term |Definition |
|Assessment |A structured process whereby evidence is collected in order to make a |
| |final judgement of an individual’s competence or non-competence, based on|
| |the individual’s performance and in line with prescribed principles and |
| |standards. |
|Student |A person who is undergoing a learning experience. |
|Unit standard |Registered statement of learning outcomes by the South Africa |
| |Qualifications Authority (SAQA). |
|Plagiarism |According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means|
| |to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own |
| |to use (another's production) without crediting the source |
| |to commit literary theft |
| |to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an |
| |existing source. |
| |In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing |
| |someone else's work and lying about it afterward. |

3. Policy

During training, one is continually involved with other people’s ideas, books, writing etc. As a consequence it is then often incorporated into our own writing/work. It is imperative that due credit is given to the sources of work that one quote or use by referencing or citing sources. Always differentiate in your assignments and examinations between your own work, and the work you used as research. By using somebody else’s idea, and not crediting them is called plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of cheating or academic fraud. In instances where students are guilty of plagiarism, certain actions can be taken against them.

4. Forms of Plagiarism:

• Copying of exact words or sections of written work from e.g. textbooks, articles and study material etc, from the original

• Using ideas or words by slightly changing words, and not acknowledging the originator

• Copying from another student or a person who has previously completed the same course

It is essential to always provide references where applicable, even though there is only reference to a section of the work /sentence. In the educational field plagiarism is regarded as a serious offence, and can incur heavy penalties.

5. Student Conduct Rules:

At we expect our students to follow the following rules of conduct:

• A student shall not perform any dishonest conduct in terms of assignments, POE’s or examination

• Dishonesty, including plagiarism will be dealt with in terms of ’s disciplinary rules

6. DECLARATION

Each student at Business Schools is required to complete a declaration prior to submitting any assessment:

7. PROCEDURE

7.1. The procedure is initiated by any person employed by Business Schools ().

7.2. The allegation of plagiarism is reported to the Head of Assessments.

7.3. The Assessments Head will enter the student’s name onto the database which will indicate whether the student has previously committed plagiarism at .

7.4.. If there is no record of the student having committed this type of offence previously, that is if it is a first offence, the Assessment Head will:

7.4.1. meet with the student to explain the offence;

7.4.2. retain the work concerned;

7.4.3 register the student’s name and student number on the database indicating the offence that has been committed;

7.4.4 issue a written warning to the student.

7.4.5 give the student an opportunity to redo and re-submit the work after which a mark capped at 50% will be awarded for the new submission. If the student chooses not to resubmit the work, he/she will be awarded a mark of 0%.

7.5 If there is a record of the student having previously committed a similar offence, that is if it is a second offence, or if a first offender denies the allegation of plagiarism; or if the student has submitted the work of another student; or if the lecturer/assessor has some uncertainty about the matter, it must be referred to the Principal

7.5.1 In cases of minimal or border-line plagiarism, the Principal has the discretion to rule that the matter is a minor infringement and should rather receive an educative response. (In exercising his/her discretion in this way, s/he may choose to consult with Senior Management)

7.5.2 Should the Principal agree that the matter be taken further, s/he will meet with the student who may then either admit or deny the allegation.

7.5.3. If the student admits to having committed the offence, the Principal must ensure that:

7.5.3.1 the student produces a signed letter as an “admission of guilt”.

7.5.3.2 the Assessment Head enters the details of the offence on the Institute database, and on the student’s academic record;

3. the Assessment Head awards 0% for the work;

7.5.3.4 the Assessment Head retains the plagiarized work.

7.5.2. If the student denies having committed the offence, the Principal must refer the matter to the Student Disciplinary Committee Representative, responsible for:

7.5.2.1 attempting to explain to the student why the student should admit to the act of plagiarism and what the consequences of refusing to do so will be.

7.5.2.2 referring the matter to the Student Disciplinary Committee who shall investigate further.

7.5.2.3 scheduling a hearing for the student, after which, based on evidence presented, appropriate action shall be taken. Should the student be found guilty and based the serious nature of the offence, these can result in expulsion to criminal charges being drawn up.

8. The Business Schools has an obligation on behalf of the institute to:

• Publish and disseminate to all staff and students the institute’s policy and procedures on plagiarism.

• Provide opportunities for training, information and advice to staff and students on how to avoid plagiarism.

• Inform all parties of their rights and responsibilities.

• Ensure disciplinary procedures against both staff and students are implemented in a fair and consistent manner.

• Use all possible methods of plagiarism identification and detection.

• Nominate a staff member to function as an expert and adviser on plagiarism; this person is to receive training and to liaise regularly with the proctors.

ALTERNATE PROCEDURE – ALIGNED TO MISCONDUCT.

• The Disciplinary Procedure for plagiarism shall be initiated by any person employed by Business Schools.

• The allegation of plagiarism must be reported to the Assessment Head of Business Schools.

• The Assessment Head shall normally hold a preliminary investigation regarding the allegation. The preliminary investigation shall normally take place within five working days of the alleged misconduct being reported.

• The Assessment Head may dismiss the allegations immediately if he/she believes that there is no case for the student to answer, or that it is for some other reason appropriate to do so.

• If the Assessment Head considers it appropriate to continue with the allegation of plagiarism, the matter will be presented to the assessment committee for academic misconduct.

• If the committee finds the student guilty of the misconduct. The Assessment Head shall set out the alleged misconduct, a brief summary of evidence received, the grounds for finding guilt, the penalty imposed, and the factors taken into account in deciding the penalty.

• The student has the right to appeal. The student may be accompanied by a friend or representative, not acting in a legal capacity.

• A Disciplinary Panel constituted by the Management of Business Schools consisting of at least one external member will sit and make a judgement for the appeal.

• The Panel shall find a student guilty of misconduct only if, on the evidence before it, it is satisfied on the balance of probability of the student’s guilt. If the members of the Panel cannot agree, the verdict of the Panel shall be that of the majority of its members.

• The decision of the Disciplinary Panel shall be confirmed in writing, normally within five working days. The Principal or the Registrar communicates the decision of the Disciplinary Panel, in writing, to the student.

• The decision of the Disciplinary Panel is final and binding.

• Except with the authority of the student the proceedings of the Panel shall remain confidential.