cheating

[Phipps]

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So, how do you guys deal with cheating. If you see somebody else doing it during a test, for instance. Report or not? Approach that person? Or just look away?
I know, it probably happens a lot but is not talked about often, since we all sit in the same boat, so to speak.
Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[deleted407083]

So, how do you guys deal with cheating. If you see somebody else doing it during a test, for instance. Report or not? Approach that person? Or just look away?
I know, it probably happens a lot but is not talked about often, since we all sit in the same boat, so to speak.
Any thoughts are welcome!

Definitely report it. Especially if we are talking about graduate programs. You are eventually sharing a degree with that person, do you feel they deserve it for cheating? It's also against APA ethics codes and probably your department and university codes.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Definitely report it. Especially if we are talking about graduate programs. You are eventually sharing a degree with that person, do you feel they deserve it for cheating? It's also against APA ethics codes and probably your department and university codes.

I agree. It maybe shouldn't, but it seems to take on greater gravity if it's in a graduate program. I'd possibly talk to my advisor first if I got along with him/her to see what might be the best way to handle things (considering departmental politics and what not), but worst case, I'd bring it up with the department chair.

 

[phillydave]

So, how do you guys deal with cheating. If you see somebody else doing it during a test, for instance. Report or not? Approach that person? Or just look away?
I know, it probably happens a lot but is not talked about often, since we all sit in the same boat, so to speak.
Any thoughts are welcome!

If I was sure they were cheating I would report it. There's no excuse for that, especially at the graduate level.

 

[cara susanna]

Report it.

 

[Phipps]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree. It's just really uncomfortable to do. Also, since we write our exams on computers, it is hard to prove. All evidence is what I saw in the moment. So, it is a little tricky maybe.

 

[deleted407083]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree. It's just really uncomfortable to do. Also, since we write our exams on computers, it is hard to prove. All evidence is what I saw in the moment. So, it is a little tricky maybe.

That's the other hard thing. Proving it is different. Worst case they would just keep an eye on the person more.

 

[Marissa4usa]

First off, I don't think that cheating is something that should be taken lightly, especially not at the graduate level. Having said that, I honestly wouldn't bother. Unless you have proof, it's going to be your word against the other person's and most likely you'll end up being the one this reflects negatively on. Unless others have observed the cheating as well AND there is proof that this person actually did not do his/her own work, I think it's a waste of your time and energy.

However, I would actively stay away from this person, and do not include them in any group assignments, e.g., if you split up articles to write summaries, do not include that person, etc.

Just my (possibly not very popular) $0.02.

 

[Phipps]

No, I appreciate your 2 cents Marissa4usa b/c it does reflect some of my thoughts. Just observing cheating, let's say during an in-class exam, does not give me much prove. For sure. It can be crystal clear to me but once the exam is send off, it's over, deleted, etc.

The problem I have is that it may reflect negative on me b/c I report? That is wrong. I takes a lot of energy to report something like it but looking away does not feel right.

And: you bet! I WILL stay away from that person.

 

[Butterfly6]

Check your school's ethics code. Many say that it is just as wrong to know about cheating and not report it as it is to cheat. We were told as future psychologists and as current students it is our duty to report cheating or anything else unethical. The professor(s) will then decide if it warrants further action.

 

[phillydave]

No, I appreciate your 2 cents Marissa4usa b/c it does reflect some of my thoughts. Just observing cheating, let's say during an in-class exam, does not give me much prove. For sure. It can be crystal clear to me but once the exam is send off, it's over, deleted, etc.

The problem I have is that it may reflect negative on me b/c I report? That is wrong. I takes a lot of energy to report something like it but looking away does not feel right.

And: you bet! I WILL stay away from that person.

I'm not really sure where our colleague is coming from. In a graduate PhD/PsyD program you will not be looked down upon for reporting suspected cheating. At the very least the faculty will keep an eye out. If others have noticed the cheating, encourage them to speak up. We had a similar situation in my program and it was dealt with satisfactorily, with the faculty taking it as seriously as they should have. I do agree though, in the mean time, that you should keep your distance from the individual.

 

[PsyD2014]

So, how do you guys deal with cheating. If you see somebody else doing it during a test, for instance. Report or not? Approach that person? Or just look away?
I know, it probably happens a lot but is not talked about often, since we all sit in the same boat, so to speak.
Any thoughts are welcome!

I would speak with your advisor about this concern. Professors include the honor code on their syllabi which include exams for a reason. Also, things to consider are, was this an open notes exam? You will need to describe to your advisor what you exactly saw. They would probably just keep an eye on this person from this point on. I agree with, I wouldn't want to share a degree with someone who got through graduate school cheating.

 

[MBellows]

I would speak with your advisor about this concern. Professors include the honor code on their syllabi which include exams for a reason. Also, things to consider are, was this an open notes exam? You will need to describe to your advisor what you exactly saw. They would probably just keep an eye on this person from this point on. I agree with, I wouldn't want to share a degree with someone who got through graduate school cheating.

I would certainly side with this, only perhaps not even telling the professor who it was unless they ask. That way they have the option of not knowing and simply being more observant next time. Also it doesn't make you look like you have it out for someone.

 

[Phipps]

...it was a closed book exam

 

[PsyD2014]

...it was a closed book exam

Yeah, I would talk to the professor or your advisor. It does not reflect poorly on you, also professors typically do a good job not "outing" the other students. You can talk about your concerns around being reflected negatively on you.

 

[Marissa4usa]

I'm not really sure where our colleague is coming from. In a graduate PhD/PsyD program you will not be looked down upon for reporting suspected cheating. At the very least the faculty will keep an eye out. If others have noticed the cheating, encourage them to speak up. We had a similar situation in my program and it was dealt with satisfactorily, with the faculty taking it as seriously as they should have. I do agree though, in the mean time, that you should keep your distance from the individual.

I agree with all of this. However, speaking from own experience, this, although great in theory, almost never works out in reality: If there is nobody to back Phipps up in her claim, it is more likely that the cheater will argue that Phipps is lying. And if that individual is semi-smart, s/he won't cheat again. Again, if there is proof or the person is caught in the act, or multiple people speak up, it's a different story. You could go and speak to professors but if it doesn't occur again, then you just look bad. I don't encourage anyone to go against any ethics or honor code but without evidence nothing is going to happen.

 

[psychRA]

I agree with all of this. However, speaking from own experience, this, although great in theory, almost never works out in reality: If there is nobody to back Phipps up in her claim, it is more likely that the cheater will argue that Phipps is lying. And if that individual is semi-smart, s/he won't cheat again. Again, if there is proof or the person is caught in the act, or multiple people speak up, it's a different story. You could go and speak to professors but if it doesn't occur again, then you just look bad. I don't encourage anyone to go against any ethics or honor code but without evidence nothing is going to happen.

Agreed. In theory, this should be a simple matter - cheating is not okay, you turn the person in, they face consequences. But none of us are in the OP's program (that we know of) and none of us can reassure him/her that action will be taken against the cheater, or that there won't be any problems associated with turning in a classmate. Especially in a very small grad program, you have the potential to make waves among the students and faculty by doing this, and I don't think it's realistic for us to pretend that that's not a possibility here.

 

[Phipps]

Agreed. In theory, this should be a simple matter - cheating is not okay, you turn the person in, they face consequences. But none of us are in the OP's program (that we know of) and none of us can reassure him/her that action will be taken against the cheater, or that there won't be any problems associated with turning in a classmate. Especially in a very small grad program, you have the potential to make waves among the students and faculty by doing this, and I don't think it's realistic for us to pretend that that's not a possibility here.

Good points, well taken. There is another component to it, namely, the impact/distraction it caused me while observing the cheater. I had trouble concentrating b/c I was preoccupied and really mad at the cheater.

 

[Phipps]

...here is another thought: just b/c it is wrong to cheat and there may be an honors code or ethical code, do I have to 'bond' with the external reality...and report

 

[EmotRegulation]

Why not approach the person and ask them what they were doing? In general (and in the ethics code), it is advisable to talk to the person who may have committed a violation before you tell a superior. That conversation will NOT be comfortable (I would imagine), but it will let the person know that someone was watching, and you can clearly say that if you see it again you feel you'll need to tell someone else.

 

[Phipps]

Why not approach the person and ask them what they were doing? In general (and in the ethics code), it is advisable to talk to the person who may have committed a violation before you tell a superior. That conversation will NOT be comfortable (I would imagine), but it will let the person know that someone was watching, and you can clearly say that if you see it again you feel you'll need to tell someone else.

I like that! The idea of approaching the person, particularly since I feel like even though there may be a clear regulation (ethics code and: report...), I still have to weigh my option and decide what is best ethical practice.

I am afraid - and this is based purely on my assumption - that cheating is a systemic problem in some doctoral problems. WIth the option of using a laptop computer for writing an exam, the temptation, and many ways to do it, is there. + competitiveness in programs.

 

[Neuropsych2be]

Turn the person in and let administrative processes do their thing. I had to turn in a fellow grad student when I learned that she was engaging in massive plaigerizing. This person somehow got a hold of one of my old papers from a couple years prior and lifted whole sections out and tried to pass it off as her work. This was a very tough thing to do, but it was the ethical thing to do.

 

[Phipps]

Turn the person in and let administrative processes do their thing. I had to turn in a fellow grad student when I learned that she was engaging in massive plaigerizing. This person somehow got a hold of one of my old papers from a couple years prior and lifted whole sections out and tried to pass it off as her work. This was a very tough thing to do, but it was the ethical thing to do.

I id report it. Thanks for all thoughts and suggestions. What I learned is to be responsible, ethically, and also, that cheating is a complex topic to deal with. One other thought: could it be a systemic problem? I wonder how often peoople cheat without getting reported? Does others here experience something like that. Not reporting? And: if so, for what reasons wouldn't you?

 

[wigflip]

I agree with all of this. However, speaking from own experience, this, although great in theory, almost never works out in reality:

+1

In my grad school experience, whistleblowers* of any stripe are vulnerable to suffering blowback, and often come off worse than the alleged "perpetrator." It's a departmental/institutional culture issue, as well as a labor issue. Keep in mind that any time you "report" something, you may have initiated a formal process that requires administrative work any number of people, including you. Profs with publication demands and second shift family obligations probably would rather you don't stir the hornet's nest as it places additional labor demands upon them and admin staff.

As for the code of conduct: if it's hard to prove Student X cheated (or no one else noticed), it's probably impossible to prove that Student Y's eyes drifted over to Student X's business in the middle of the exam and noticed Student X cheating (and therefore should have reported the "cheating").

Now if the class runs a zero sum game and they're actively trying to flunk students out, or someone else (ahem! other than your advisor or committee member--the approved of form of "cheating") has misappropriated your words or unique intellectual contribution, that's different. But that doesn't sound like what's at stake.

*I'm including serious issues like sexual harassment and labor violations as well.

 

[wigflip]

I id report it. Thanks for all thoughts and suggestions. What I learned is to be responsible, ethically, and also, that cheating is a complex topic to deal with. One other thought: could it be a systemic problem? I wonder how often peoople cheat without getting reported? Does others here experience something like that. Not reporting? And: if so, for what reasons wouldn't you?

In addition to previous post:

1. Some profs will tell you directly or tacitly not to report UG cheating when you TA for them. Too much admin work, uni pressures depts to pass everyone. One term I spent >12 hours of unpaid admin work on a single UG plagiarism case, and it was irrefutable.

2. Profs and other researchers put their names on pubs to which they made minimal (or even no) intellectual contribution all the time. A grad student sneaking a peek at a textbook is low stakes in comparison.

3. I'd put myself on the line for an ethical violation that implied concrete harm (discrimination/abuse/harassment of patients, students, co-workers), but wouldn't risk becoming a target myself for something like the episode described by OP.

 

[cara susanna]

wigflip! Long time no see!

Sorry, carry on 🙂

 

[wigflip]

wigflip! Long time no see!

Sorry, carry on 🙂

Hi cara! Nice to "see" you too. I've been trying to focus more on research/publishing lately. Hope you're well. PM me some time if you feel like it (and if my stupid inbox isn't full again 😳)

Edit: Oops. Just reread OP's post: "I id report it" must have meant "I DID report it." Originally read it as an affirmation in support of the quote s/he had highlighted above post ("I'd report it," meaning "I too would report, as this other poster did, if I were in identical circumstances.").

Since it appears that OP took action and it's over, what was the fallout? Was the alleged cheater "punished"? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Butterfly6]

Any updates?

 

[Phipps]

Any updates?

I DID report it and had to talk several times to faculty about it, i.e., describing exactly what I saw...I was told that this is a great learning experience, meaning, practicing what is required of you. I was also affirmed that my action was the right thing to do. I was informed that the issues has been resolved.

So, on a more personal level: I felt like I had to prove it and I was the one who had to meet with faculty. I ended up feeling embarrassed and besides that I felt extremely distracted by the cheater during the exam and got a grade below my usual level of performance. At the end of the day, I felt I did what I had to do in terms of staying true to myself and uphold a professional level of honesty.

So, a mixed result if you will

 

[DynamicDidactic]

I applaud your fortitude. Sometimes the right choices are most difficult.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I DID report it and had to talk several times to faculty about it, i.e., describing exactly what I saw...I was told that this is a great learning experience, meaning, practicing what is required of you. I was also affirmed that my action was the right thing to do. I was informed that the issues has been resolved.

1000% agree. This experience will help you down the road when you are on the other side of the table and need to provide guidance to a graduate/practica student about dealing with real life ethical issues. Sweeping things under the rug doesn't help anyone, and it can really be damaging later on because the person may keep doing things that could cause harm to others.

 

[Phipps]

since we write our exams on computers, it is hard to prove. All evidence is what I saw in the moment. So, it is a little tricky maybe

Yes, it is tricky since i cannot really prove it. But, it is not my or the cheater's "subjective" truth that we see in patients BUT it is cheating. I saw it and no matter whether the cheater admitted or not it remains the same, independently...

 

[bmedclinic]

Phipps,
I'm glad you reported it and your university appears to have been responsive. Good for all of you. For anyone else reading this board under the same circumstances, I'd be more concerned about blowback as someone else stated (e.g. not just who the student is, but who is that student's mentor). In my dept, were I to turn in Dr X's student, I'm certain Dr X would find a way to personally harm my career. But this isnt all about politics.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Phipps,
I'm glad you reported it and your university appears to have been responsive. Good for all of you. For anyone else reading this board under the same circumstances, I'd be more concerned about blowback as someone else stated (e.g. not just who the student is, but who is that student's mentor). In my dept, were I to turn in Dr X's student, I'm certain Dr X would find a way to personally harm my career. But this isnt all about politics.

I certainly agree. Hopefully nothing will happen to you. Best of luck!