1. WBS PLAGIARISM PROCEDURE
Revised for 2009/10 Academic Year

2. Annual Notification to Students
Guidance on plagiarism in student handbooks
Clear explanations at induction
Remind students throughout the duration of their course
University regulations and PLATO (on-line course about plagiarism) available on front page of my.wbs

3. Student Declaration
All programmes should ensure that each piece of work submitted contains a statement declaring the work to be the student’s own. In addition, the student should declare the following:
“No substantial part(s) of the work submitted here has also been submitted by me in other assessments for accredited courses of study, and I acknowledge that if this has been done an appropriate reduction in the mark I might otherwise have received will be made.”

4. School Procedure for Investigating Plagiarism
It has changed a lot!
Reflects updated guidance and regulations from the University
Now have a plagiarism panel
First step is no longer to interview the student
New procedure should quicken up the process and save some time

5. Initial Stages
Once plagiarism is suspected, NIE informs Academic Services
Brief details should be provided: Module code and title; percentage weighting of assessment; and student ID number
Copy of Turnitin report and copy of student’s original submission should also be provided

6. Initial Stages
Academic Services will then check to see if this is a repeat offence.
The student will be contacted by Academic Services to be told that their essay is being investigated for possible plagiarism
Letter will be copied to personal tutor and programme team

7. Initial Stages
Academic Services allocate the case to a member of the plagiarism panel
Panel member is provided with the following: Turnitin report; the original submission; information regarding the examination conventions; whether the student has been previously investigated for plagiarism

8. Panel member contacts NIE
Initial Stages
Panel member contacts NIE
An initial assessment is made deciding whether the case should be treated as:
Negligence
Misconduct
Severe Plagiarism

9. WBS Plagiarism Procedure
NIE notifies Academic Services who ensure that prog. team and personal tutor are aware
Referred to panel member who meets with NIE to determine whether the case is negligence, misconduct or a severe case
Academic Services notify student by standard
NIE identifies case of suspected plagiarism

10. NEGLIGENCE
Work has been improperly referenced through the incompetent or careless academic practices of the student
When considering the penalty, an assessment will be made of the stage the student has reached in their studies
NIE will be directed to apply an appropriate penalty
Student will be advised to seek further guidance on correct referencing techniques

11. Negligence Negligence
Resubmit new piece of work to be marked normally
Instruct student to resubmit work with correct referencing
Marker instructed to deduct mark in line with degree of offence
Negligence
Academic Services informed of outcome and letter sent to student (copied to prog office, personal tutor and NIE)

12. Penalties available to the School are:
Misconduct
It is deemed the student has deliberately cheated and that the offence should be pursued within the School
Penalties available to the School are:
re-submission of another piece of work on a different topic;
re-submission of a new piece of work for a capped mark;
reduction of mark to a maximum of zero (with or without the opportunity to resubmit)

13. Misconduct
NIE and panel member agree after initial assessment that the case is misconduct
Student invited to attend an interview – may provide written statement prior to interview
Student to be given at least 3 days notice of interview
Interview conducted by Panel member and NIE
Penalty agreed once interview completed
Communicated to Acad. Services who prepare letter to student
Student has 10 days to accept penalty or appeal

14. Misconduct Misconduct
Student appeals (within 10 days)
Misconduct
Student notified that case of suspected plagiarism found
Panel Member and NIE interview student
Panel decision letter sent by Academic Services
Student invited to accept penalty
Exam Board notified and case closed

15. Severe cases to include:
Severe Cases requirement a heavier penalty than the School is allowed to levy should normally be referred to a University Investigating Committee
Severe cases to include:
Second offences of misconduct
Allegations relating to research thesis (MPhil, PhD)
Stealing work from another student
Purchasing essay from internet site
Multiple allegations of cheating affecting more than one module
Allegations of collusion

16. Severe Plagiarism Severe case
Turnitin report and report of initial findings sent to the University
Assoc. Dean confirms that case needs referral to Investigative Committee
Severe case
Student notified that case has been referred to the University
University Investigative Committee process (see University Regulation 11)