There are many advantages and disadvantages of a compulsory plagiarism detection software policy in any university. However the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and as such, I am of the opinion that it is better to have a plagiarism detection software policy in place. The benefits of such a policy are: First, it deters and detects cheating. Second, it fosters learning of correct author acknowledgment practice. Third, it helps builds institutional reputation. Lastly, it treats students fairly(Lampert, 2014). While such a policy has its advantages, it also has some disadvantages.  For example,  particular plagiarism detection software give false positives. The software also keeps the students work and data that are made available to thirds parties. Lastly, the use of such software may increase the workload of faculty staff. However, it is worth to note that while such a policy has these disadvantages, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and as such, it would be beneficial to have such a policy in place.

Advantagesand Disadvantages of a Centralized Graduate Academic Standards Committee Policy as Opposed to an Instructor-Based Disciplinary Approach

The presence of a centralized Graduate Academic Standards Committee to adjudicate over suspected cases of student plagiarism is a good policy. This is for the reason that there is consistency in the dispersal of justice, and this gives an impression of fairness among the student community. However it also has its disadvantages. First, forcing cases of plagiarism to the Committee denies an instructor the freedom and authority in his classroom(American Association of University Professors, 2014).Secondly, the evaluation of whether a case of plagiarism is deliberate or not is better left to an instructor as opposed to a computer software or a centralized Committee.  However, these disadvantages notwithstanding, the advantages of a centralized Committee outweighs the use of the instructor based disciplinary approach.

References

American Association of University Professors. (2014). American Association of University Professors Policy Documents and Reports (11 ed.). Washington, D.C: John Hopkins University Press.

Lampert, L. (2014). Combating Student Plagiarism: An Academic Librarian’s Guide. Oxford: Chandos Publishing.

Do you need an Original High Quality Academic Custom Essay?