Anyone ever use a term paper website?

My daughter is doing a report on plagiarism and asked me if I'd ask you all if anyone here had ever used one of those websites where you can order a custom term paper or essay? And if so, she'd like to hear your experiences. Thank you!

 

I'm not sure that I have any objection to the basic question but I have to say that the manner in which it was asked feels a bit strange.

wssf - do you realize that you've just asked people to confirm that they've commited plagiarism, or otherwise commited an offense that could potentially lead to the loss of their degree?
Do you really expect that people will just pop up and say, "Hell, yeah! I cheated in school!"

I suppose that anonymous posters have nothing to worry about in that regard but then everyone will then know that they are a cheat.

Interesting problem. How would one obtain reliable data?
Jack

 

I second what Jack is saying. You would probably have much better luck getting honest responses by conducting an anonymous poll.

Personally, I feel is somebody is going to use one of those websites, what's the point in trying to obtain an education?

 

Well, I can offer something....

I had an undergrad student turn in a paper that matched neither his speech pattern or writing style. The paper didn't quite meet the assignment, but wasn't that far off. What tipped me off was there were more references/citations than what the student usually used.

I took one of the sentences and googled it. Sure enough, it came up at a term paper website. In fact, the student didn't bother to correct a few typos in the original.

 

Yeah! Like I'm going to tell you...

 

I was under the impression that they ran the papers through a plagiarism checking program? I know two of my professors have sent warnings to the class after they caught someone doing this. I don't know why anyone would chance loosing their degree by cheating.

 

Because "cheaters never prosper" is a nice notion, but is basically a myth. They do prosper. Sometimes they prosper for a very long time.

Here's some "hearsay"....

A fellow I used to know told me of how back in his homeland there was a scam going on where someone would hang around where students enrolling at a certain university would congregate. This guy would go around telling people he had "connections" and could (for a small fee) tip the scales in their favor for being accepted into the university -- but "can't always do it -- no guarantees -- but I've had good success with my connections" he would say. "And if I can't get you in -- you can have your money back."

He'd take their cash -- and do nothing at all. Students that got in -- assumed some wheels had been greased enough to help them get in -- money well spent in their minds. Students who didn't get in got their money back and they weren't about to go and turn in the scammer -- that would require their admitting to having given him money to get the rules bent. Those who got in would even sometimes refer their friends to this guy.

In other words -- a numbers game. As long as a certain percentage of students he scammed actually got in .....

Eventually (according to the fellow who told me this) the scammer was stung -- but not until he'd made a small fortune from those who thought they were cheating the system.

I don't wonder why people take such risks. They take such risks because such risks often "pay off". What I do wonder is what they do when their conscience catches up with them. I suppose they sit back and take another sip of wine and try to push that nagging feeling to the back of their minds.

That said -- when I was teaching -- all my required term papers had peculiar content requirements that would have required students wishing to cheat to pay someone to write the whole paper for them from scratch -- an economic deterrent. Canned papers would not have cut it. I didn't sense any cheaters. I like to think the young men and women of the US military were above that.

 

Nope. Never preached a canned sermon either. Never will.
There are certain things for which a gentleman does not offer money.
Nor do I.

 

Personally If someone used a paper generating web site, they would be offered one good chance to expain themselves, and it better be very serious...someting to do with a death in a family, etc. Then they might get a reprieve to re-write, if the excuse was simply lame then "rat'em out".
Especially if the class was in an online format, simply because they probably were getting help all along from family members and friends!
Afterall what should the Diploma say on it?

Bachelor of Science

To

Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Friends


Geeeeeezzzzzz


Gavin

 

software

There are some software/service providors that allow subscribers to run material thought their system to detect problems. I don't know, but it seems logical that they would keep data on this because it supports the need for their products.

Just a thought.

 

plagiarism detection tools

Although a number of plagiarism detection services exist, most are Web-based with recurring fees. I've used (Essay Verification Engine) EVE for several years and found it to be very effective, quick and it runs as an application on my local computer. The application is also inexpensive ($29.95) with a one time purchase cost and no monthly or annual fees.

http://www.canexus.com/eve/index.shtml

I've found EVE useful to quickly scan papers that look suspect and to identify sources of copied material. A compare feature makes the effort quite easy. Like nearly all detection tools, EVE is subject to some degree of false positive and false negative results. Accordingly, one should carefully review and verify detected material.

Perhaps others on this board might also find this to be a helpful tool.

Tom

 

I do not know about anyone else but I take exception to the posting of this "question" here on these DI boards. What is the implication - that some DI posters cheat and use term paper websites?

wssf, I know that you are asking the question on behalf of your daughter but I am certain that you can get the most responses to your liking by visiting and posting the question on un-wonderful school forums and fake and fraudulent school websites.

After all, those who do not see a problem in buying a degree outright off-the-shelves will nary shudder at the thought of presenting someone else's paper or writing as their own at a "school" that requires "some work" - or so I'd think.

Newbies:

Know that DI is in a class by itself. Judging by the content and quality of the posts in here, all (or the vast majority of) DI posters and contributors intensely dislike cheating, shilling, and the like. If plagiarism does not bother you, you probably are in the wrong forum. But you are here - so that gives me a sense of your character and ethical groundings.

Welcome!

 

Although I have NEVER purchased a completed or incomplete term paper and think anyone who does gets what they deserve! I did have a Professor who interestingly enough posted a link to one of those websites and required a term paper..It doesn't take much to connect the dots but I did mine the old fashioned way. I was just happy to complete that class with an A and never deal with that teacher again!

 

Possibility A: Said Prof had a financial interest in that website.
Possibility B: (More probable) Prof had an easy way to give out "F"'s to cheats.

What has been rumored is that those searching for a TITLE/SUBJECT for a paper will peruse the titles on such sites, then use that as a springboard for their own research. (Usually happens in Lower Div writing classes. I knew a young lady who said that was her 'secret method'.)

 

Along the lines of plagarism and online classes -

In the forum for a finance class, a rather difficult and technical question had been posted about the SEC. An answer was posted that was very complete. This answer was followed up by the instructor along the lines of "Please do not copy material from the web. I don't have a problem with the use of the web for finding what you need. In this case the answer about the SEC came from www.umpteesquat.com\whatever\it\is"

It sent a very clear message that this class was being run through a "google-ish" system, as the link provided was a direct link deep into the SEC website and was word for word a match.

 

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone!! If I could delete this post, I would. My daughter just asked me if I could ask, and so I did. I guess I should have just told her no! Sorry, I didn't mean to cause a stir! My apologies!

 

Nope...I bought the MLA guide to research papers and Research Papers for Dummies. After reading the latter almost entirely and using the former as a reference...I was able to churn out some good ones. Though there was a learning curve. I would be embarrassed if you guys saw my earliest stuff....YEESH!

I particularly remember one professor giving me an 80% on a paper that I worked my arse off for..I thought "man and 80? this guy is tough"....a while later after gaining some experience I re-read my work and thought "man an 80%, I should by that guy a Thanksgiving ham...what a generous dude".

Anyone who cheats robs themselves of more than an education but of a maturing experience. If I catch a cheater.....it'll get ugly.

 

Don't worry wssf, most people on here have emotions that run far to the left. While I for one have never bought a term paper or had someone write one for me, you have to ask yourself, if no one is using the service why are there so many out there on the internet?

I’m sure those services are not paying for advertisement just for the fun of it. Trust me they are making money. Maybe not off this forum but they are making money.

 

My wife types suspicious sentences she finds on her students' papers into Google, and typically finds two or three problems, from among about 70 students -- in her ethics classes!

John Bear
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Professor: "I'm giving you an 'A' on your term paper, and an 'F' in the class."

Student: "But why?!?!"

Professor: "Because when I wrote that paper 20 years ago, it was given a 'C.' I've always thought it deserved better."

 

"So, young Feldman...how did you earn your accredited degree"?

Response: "It was just so easy to do it you see, every chance I got I committed fraud with glee"!


The person who has done such an action, has no honor in their work and deserves to be despised by society. Plain and simple.


- Shawn