Contract Cheating and Academic Misconduct in … Cheating and Academic Misconduct in Examinations...
Transcript of Contract Cheating and Academic Misconduct in … Cheating and Academic Misconduct in Examinations...
1 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Contract Cheating and Academic Misconduct in Examinations and
Tests
Dr. Thomas Lancaster and Robert Clarke
HEA STEM Conference 2016
Thursday 28 January, 2016
2 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Background
3 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Our Role in Student Cheating and Academic Integrity Research
Dr. Thomas Lancaster
Senior Lecturer in Computing at BCU
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
PhD “Effective And Efficient Plagiarism Detection”
Programme Leader BSc Computer Science
Robert Clarke
Educational Consultant at SCL
Visiting Lecturer/Former Principal Lecturer
30 Years Experience Teaching at BCU
Has collected more than 30,000 attempts by students worldwide to outsource their work
4 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Contract Cheating
Working Definition Contract cheating occurs when a student pays (or uses) a third party to complete assessed work for academic credit This has most often been observed with students using technology to pay others to do their assessments (e.g. through an online essay mill or by hiring a ghostwriter)
5 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Underlying Questions
Are students using contract cheating to aid their exam results?
How does this feed into the changing landscape of student cheating?
What measures, as academics, should we be taking when such cheating is possible?
6 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Is Exam Cheating A Problem?
7 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Backlash From The Australian Cheating Scandal (2014/15)
Average level of cheating in multiple choice tests of 5% (worse in tiered rooms, such as lecture theatres)
Identified computer security issues where exam papers and questions had been stolen and then shared using social media
Found students using toilet breaks to search the Internet for solutions
8 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
SAT Tests Cancelled In China
“The College Board has cancelled college entrance exams on Saturday in China and Macau after the company learned that many of the applicants might have seen the exam paper for the upcoming SAT. The now-cancelled Scholastic Aptitude Test was to be held at over 45 testing centers across mainland China and Macau.” Macau Daily Times – 25 January 2016 http://macaudailytimes.com.mo/44793.html
9 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
“Student Cheating Crisis”
The Times – Saturday January 2, 2016
From UK university cheating figures for the past 3 years: “At least five cases of impersonation were recorded, when students arranged for someone to sit exams on their behalf.” Other common offenses: Starting exam early/finishing writing late Smuggled in notes Copying from other students Long toilet breaks An incident where “…student did not use the most convenient toilet”
10 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Is Paying Someone To Sit Your Exam Contract Cheating?
11 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Classified Ad On Seattle Craigslist
The Atlantic – March 18 2014 http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/03/catching-a-cheater-online/284461
Are you good with college level math? I need a taller college aged brunette female student to take a math placement test for me in person as I am out of state currently. If you believe that you can be of help please respond to this ad and let me know your math qualifications. Must know college level math. Willing to pay a neg fee. This could turn into more work in the near future if interested. Serious inquiries only as I need this done ASAP! Thank you!
The student communicated to with a local professor in a “sting” operation. The college would not promise to refuse the student entry.
12 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
University of York
“A highly intelligent former City banker who suffers from Asperger's syndrome and an economics student have been given suspended jail sentences for cheating in university exams. Jerome Drean, 34, and Elnar Askerov, 23, each received sentences of nine months' imprisonment suspended for two years after Drean was paid £20,000 for posing as Askerov, a student at York University, using a fake identity card.” The Independent – 1 March 2008
13 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
More Common Than You Might Think?
“TWO other cheats were caught on the same day and at the same exam as Jerome Drean and Enlar Askerov. Qiu Shi Zhang, 23, who was supposed to sit the economics finance exam, got his friend Xin Zhang, 24, no relation, to stand in for him at the University of York. But vigilant staff spotted that Xin Zhang was very different from the picture on the ID card he carried and both were arrested. Qiu Shi Zhang, of Hickleton Court, Garrowby Way, Heslington, admitted aiding and abetting fraud and Xin Zhang, who was studying marketing at Birmingham University last May, admitted fraud. Each was ordered to do 100 hours' community work and pay £35.” The York Press (not dated)
14 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Technology-Aided Exam Contract Cheating
15 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Freelancer.com
Unlike many services used by students to cheat, the requests made on Freelancer can be observed.
These are some test and exam related examples seen on Freelancer.
16 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Re-work Exam as Coursework
I study MSc Management and Finance and I have 2 referrals which are Accounting&Economics and Operation . Therefore, I have to re-work both exams as an assignment to achieve an overall pass at cammendation . I have the questions and I need the answers for all of them , the deadline for all referral work is in the 9th of December 2015.
Freelancer 8920932 Dec 2015 UK
£22
17 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
“Seen exam” paper
There will be exam on The Medieval History during 2 hour and half, I need an academic essay about the topic that instructor will provide. I need to essay in 2 hours.
As instructor writes, You will have a choice of 8 questions of which you will have to answer 1. These questions will require critical analysis to answer just like the assignment questions.
Freelancer 9134309 Dec 2015 Azerbaijan
€62
18 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Time-limited Question
Android Question
This is a timelimited question given as an assignment. It should be answered in a very detailed manner. Question: What is an intent? Is it possible to update/upgrade an app without using an intent? What are other possibilities or possible scenarious of updating an app without using intent? Implement a very short and simple app which will try to update itself without using an intent. In which situation does a good app update itself in this possible scenario?
Freelancer 8931083 Nov 2015 USA
$30
19 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Multi-choice Questions
Accounting Homework
There are 4 multiple choice question on my accounting lab. I will give the details
Freelancer 9114582 Dec 2015 USA $39
20 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Skype or Facebook to help me
Mathematics Exam You should have whats App or skype or facebook to help me
Integration
Calculus
Infinity
Here is final exam past papers
Freelancer 6010360 May 2014 Malaysia
$23
21 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Take-home Exam
Final exam Economic Development Fall Semester 2015 This is a take home exam. Your work should be your own. Do NOT consult members of the class in writing your exam. Please include a cover page with the following information: Final Exam, Fall Semester 2015, course number (EC 4600), and your name. Number the pages and staple them together in chronological order.
Freelancer 9060406 Dec 2015 USA $50
22 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Open-book Exam
This is an open book exam therefore there is no word limit, it will consist of 2 questions Financial & Non-Financial Analysis of Annual Report of Tallow Oil of year ended 2012. In Financial Analysis we need to calculate ratios e.g Performance Ratios, Investment Ratios, Financing Ratios and Liquidity Ratios and do an analysis how each Ratio is effecting the company's performance and if there is anything important mentioned in the balance sheet ( max 1000 words) Freelancer 9060406 Aug 2014 UK
$50
23 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
On-line Exam
ASCI 309 Aerodynamics: Final Exam All questions have equal weight Show ALL work for partial credit consideration Include UNITS Enter answers and show work in space provided Show any additional work in the extra space provided Save Your Completed Exam Answer Sheet Using the File Format “lastname_FE” Submit Using the Assignment Upload Tool in Blackboard
Freelancer 6566633 Oct 2014 USA $61
24 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Test for a Job Entry
Numerical Reasoning Test for a Job Entry
These numerical reasoning tests contain questions that test your knowledge of Ratios, Percentage Increase/Decrease, Cost and Sales Analysis, Rates and Trends, and Currency Conversions.
Use a calculator. The tests are not negatively marked but accuracy is essential so try not to rush or guess. Practice makes perfect.
Freelancer 8880460 Nov 2015 UK
$45
25 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Online Exam Exam on operation management Here are the log-in instructions:
1.) go to www.mymanagementlab.com
2.) the username is: Anberlin10
the password is: Password28
3.)Click on the link that says "Operations Management" on the left side of the screen.
4.)From there, you can click "assignments" and then "take a test"
I am looking to have weeks 1,2,3,4,5 exams being completed. Like I said in the initial post, if these work out I may be interested in paying additional to have some quizzes completed.
The exams that you will be taking are NOT on a time limit, and you can take them as many times as you wish. I am only requesting an 80% or above. Anything above 80% would be greatly appreciated. Please message me if you still have questions. Thank you for taking on this project.
U only need to do five exams
Freelancer 1326059 Dec 2011 Bangladesh $50
Pearson Education
26 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Trends To Avoid
Exams taken home, or taken in an unsupervised manner
Exams taken on computers with external communicated available
Student self-invigilation
Using a previous exam as a coursework
Reusing exam questions
27 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Other Exam Challenges
28 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Online Classes? You’re Covered!
Services will take entire online classes and MOOCS for students
29 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Access To Exam Archives
Should the availability of these services really represent a problem?
I'm the academic chairman of my fraternity, and I'm looking to start a test bank for our chapter. The only issue is, I'm not sure how to run it. Should I do it in paper, or online, available to everyone, or to a select few people, etc. If anyone can tell me how they run theirs that'd be much appreciated! https://www.reddit.com/r/GreekLife/comments/2hiz1p/how_is_your_organiations_test_bank_run
30 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Technology
24kupi Invisible Watch Smart watch screen appears blank unless special glasses are worn
Screenshot grabbed from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYxGHChOh8I
31 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Popular “Exam Help” In India
Underwear with built-in mobile technology
Miniature earpiece hidden inside ear
Skin coloured bean shape microphone
http://www.earsort.in/bluetooth-underwear-earpiece.html
32 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Gumtree Australia
Classified advert from June 2015 Reported in An Approach to Minimising Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism at the University of Sydney
33 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Selected Recommendations
Ensure that students understand the benefits of completing their own work and exams (there are future exams in industrial/employability settings)
All exams should be closely invigilated, with student identities confirmed
Technology, including phones and watches, removed from use during examination. Mobile signals block
Consider individualised exam papers to prevent copying
More exams taken on computers, screen monitored
34 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
The Future?
Drones flown over Chinese test centres during university entrance exams to detect radio signals
http://time.com/3914087/china-drones-cheating-exams
35 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Further Resources
36 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Selected References For Our Contract Cheating Work
Lancaster, T. and Clarke, R. (2015), Contract Cheating – The Outsourcing Of Assessed Student Work, in Handbook of Academic Integrity, Bretag, T. (editor): SpringerReference.
Lancaster, T. and Clarke, R. (2015),The Implications of Plagiarism and Contract Cheating for the Assessment of Database Modules. 13th International Workshop on Teaching, Learning and Assessment of Databases (TLAD 2015), Birmingham, UK, July 2015.
Hersey, C. and Lancaster, T. (2015), The Online Industry of Paper Mills, Contract Cheating Services, and Auction Sites, Clute Institute International Education Conference, London, June 2015.
Lancaster, T. and Clarke, R. (2014), An Observational Analysis Of The Range And Extent Of Contract Cheating From Online Courses Found On Agency Websites; 8th International Conference on Complex, Intelligent and Software Intensive Systems (CISIS 2014), Birmingham City University, UK, July 2014.
Lancaster, T. and Clarke, R. (2014), An Initial Analysis Of The Contextual Information Available Within Auction Posts On Contract Cheating Agency Websites, 28th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications, University of Victoria, May 2014
Lancaster, T. and Clarke, R. (2014), Using Turnitin As A Tool For Attribution In Cases Of Contract Cheating; 3rd Annual Higher Education Academy Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, April 2014.
Clarke, R. and Lancaster, T. (2013). Commercial Aspects Of Contract Cheating; 8th Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK, July 2013.
Lancaster, T and Clarke, R (2012). Dealing With Contract Cheating: A Question Of Attribution; 1st Annual Higher Education Academy Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Imperial College, London, April 2012.
Lancaster, T and Clarke, R (2010). Staff-Led Individualised Assessment – A Case Study; 11th Annual Higher Education Academy Conference in Information and Computer Sciences, Durham University, August 2010.
Lancaster, T and Clarke, R (2008). How to Succeed at Cheating Without Really Trying: Five Top Tips for Successful Cheating; 9th Annual Higher Education Academy Conference in Information and Computer Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, August 2008.
Clarke, R, and Lancaster, T (2007). Establishing a Systematic Six-Stage Process for Detecting Contract Cheating; The Second International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Applications, Birmingham City University, July 2007.
Lancaster, T and Clarke, R (2007). Assessing Contract Cheating Through Auction Sites – A Computing Perspective; 8th Annual Higher Education Academy Conference in Information and Computer Sciences, University of Southampton, August 2007.
Lancaster, T and Clarke, R (2007) The Phenomena of Contract Cheating, in Student Plagiarism in an Online World: Problems and solutions, Roberts, T. S. (editor), Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA: Idea Group Inc.
Clarke, R and Lancaster, T (2006). Eliminating The Successor To Plagiarism? Identifying The Usage Of Contract Cheating Sites; 2nd Plagiarism: Prevention, Practice and Policy Conference 2006 - Newcastle, UK, June 2006.
37 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
For More Information
General Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_cheating
http://contractcheating.com
Contract Cheating Special Interest Group (supported by the Higher Education Academy):
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=CONTRACTCHEATING
Slides Available At:
http://www.slideshare.net/ThomasLancaster
38 #contractcheating #HEASTEM16
Our Contact Details
Thomas Lancaster
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Blog: http://thomaslancaster.co.uk/blog
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/thomaslancaster
Twitter: @DrLancaster
Robert Clarke
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-clarke-96712a16