Academic problem

LegacyUser

Hi, I recently finished my college course and have a slight problem. I carelessly forgot to mention two important dissertation paragraphs and a diagram or two not attributable to myself, giving the impression it's my work when it's clearly not.

It's worrying me so much I believe I should just come clean. I put alot of effort into this course, but I would hate to mention the problem and potentially drop a whole degree class or bare having my awarded credential revoked. If I keep it undiscovered, am I better off? Not to mention disciplinary sanctions.

Academics don't appear very forgiving, but I have never stolen significant amounts of work or got in trouble before. There might even be more slight mistakes! What would you do? I feel terrible over this. Any Academic advice really appreciated.

Thank you

curlzy

Wow, tricky! I would be inclined to come clean if the disertation hasn't been graded, just say you were checking over your copy and realised that you hadn't referenced that work. If it has been graded then I would say nothing as it could be much worse, i.e. revoking the accreditation. I don't know though, it depends on your college, some seem to take it really really seriously whereas others seem to be more lenient.

Best of luck.

meganj

It does depend on your academic institution, but most take plagiarism (even if it is unintentional) very seriously.

First thing to do would be check your student handbook and see what the procedure if if you are found to have plagiarized work.

IMHO you should come clean. If you have a tutor speak to them about it, otherwise go to the department/lecturer and say as the poster above mentioned you were checking through your copy and noticed that you had forgotten to reference work.

I do know in my own university someone I know had accidentally forgotten to reference something and didn't come clean, and there was a huge amount of trouble over it.

At the end of the day if you don't come clean now, and they read your work and discover you've included something you haven't referenced then you are in BIG trouble. I would imagine that those who get caught for plagiarism immediately insist that it was a mistake, and even if it is I would also imagine that lecturers and academic departments probably are so jaded that they are disinclined to believe even those who are telling the truth.

I really think you should first do some research and see what the procedure is and then go straight to the person responsible and explain the situation. If it was me I would be much more understanding if you came to me, before I had to come to you to accuse you of something.

Miaireland

Come clean, speak to you tutor and or head of department. I would also advice you to keep everying on paper as well by emailing your tutor. This email could then be forwarded on to the corrector.

Hopefully, it will be seen as an honest mistake that you tried to fix as soon as you became aware of it.

If you think there may other issues sit down and go through your thesis with a fine tooth comb. Plagiarism is taken very seriously so ensure everying is credited.

Miss Fluff

I'm assuming you're still pending your qualification and that the dissertation has yet to be marked? I'd get straight on the Head of Department as a matter of priority and tell them you've just discovered the mistake. For most institutions and academics, plagarism in any form is a cardinal sin so I'd act on this right away. I wouldn't risk letting it slide in the hope that they won't notice - if it's a learned academic correcting your dissertation who is actually knowledgable on the subject matter then chances are they will recognise. Get on to them before they have a chance to get on to you!

LegacyUser

I have already received my award once the marking was completed a month ago. I take it revoking an already awarded credential is harder than simply giving a fail/pass mark. Either way, I worked very hard over the years and I am not going to lose an award over this.

Should they ever try to revoke my credential over what amounts to inadequate citation
I have plenty of hard evidence to question the standards of this Institution. Some of the thesis's already published could be described as pretty questionable too. The Institution
does not mind raping in private fees, but I think the media really would have a field day
should they choose to be difficult.

I am not a vindictive person by nature, but I do stand by getting back what I put in.

onlyrocknroll

Your institution might have some sort of free legal advice service, most universities do anyway. Maybe it might be best to contact them first. Move quickly though.

avalon68

carelessfool wrote: »

I have plenty of hard evidence to question the standards of this Institution. Some of the thesis's already published could be described as pretty questionable too. The Institution
does not mind raping in private fees, but I think the media really would have a field day
should they choose to be difficult.

You definitely don't want to be going down that route! You certainly wouldn't come out on top......

Anyway, the thesis is already corrected - Im assuming its either a taught MA with research project or an undergraduate project. Realistically - its unlikely that anyone is going to read it again unless there is something groundbreaking in it.

LegacyUser

avalon68 wrote: »

You definitely don't want to be going down that route! You certainly wouldn't come out on top......

Anyway, the thesis is already corrected - Im assuming its either a taught MA with research project or an undergraduate project. Realistically - its unlikely that anyone is going to read it again unless there is something groundbreaking in it.

Yeah, I have to agree. Sounds good in my head, but I don't think it would be worth the hassle. I know enough about Academia to know not to burn bridges, no matter how much you might want to. It wasn't earth shattering or anything, just a run of the mill undergrad.

Maybe I am just overthinking this? Proportionally speaking, it's a pretty small amount in comparison to the total. I Appreciate your brutal honesty:) Time to forget and move on I think.

LegacyUser

onlyrocknroll wrote: »

Your institution might have some sort of free legal advice service, most universities do anyway. Maybe it might be best to contact them first. Move quickly though.

Really don't want to be going down the civil litigation route. I would imagine revocation is not taken lightly following some thought. I don't think two uncited, non-quoted paragraphs and a diagram is enough to warrent such an action? At least I hope not. It's 100% my fault either way.

I would imagine Academics have "real" research to attend to, not policing undergrads. Regardless, Plagiarism is a horrible practice. I won't be making that mistake lightly again.
Appreciate the advice so far. I will strive to be less careless in the future. Fool I am.