[Marie_LPN]

Our first essay (the final copy) in our ethics class is due two weeks from today. What the professor had us do was bring 2 hard copies to class last week, one goes to him, the other you trade with someone else to edit it, and bring back to class next week.

Well the person's i took home, her wording wasn't easy to understand, so typed in a string of words at a search engine to see if i could clarify a few things, and the first result got it word for word at a website (another site popped up a result as an "essay for sale"). When i clicked on the link and compared, apparently this person has plagiarized their WHOLE essay word for word and signed it as their own (the persons "works cited", which i checked throughly as we were told to, does not contain anything other than some magazine articles).

Now, it's likely that the professor didn't just fall off the turnip truck, and might do some checking of his own and discover this (since we have an honor code, and rules spelled out for this sort of thing), but now i'm kinda stuck on what to do. I don't feel right looking over this like i'm not aware that this isn't original work, yet it doesn't seem like it's my place to be a whistleblower.

But yet in the nursing world, if you know something wrong is going on and you don't say anything, you're just as guilty.

Any suggestions?

[Tweety]

Instructors have programs to discoverage plagarism, and as you say he will likely be discovered.

I think you're going to have to let the instructor know and handle it from there. Maybe asking him/her to make it seem like they found it on their own without input from you.

Sheesh....it is ironic.

[Marie_LPN]

That's what i'm debating on, i thought about emailing the professor saying what i've found.

I also wonder in the back of my mind, if HE discovers its copied, if he's going to wonder if i'll say anything, ya know what i mean?

[rn/writer]

Plagiarizing is bad enough in any class, but to do it in an ethics class adds insult to injury. This is just plain wrong. And so very brazen.

I think you need to let the instructor know what you found and let the chips fall where they may. This isn't tattling. You didn't go looking for trouble-it came looking for you.

It would be one thing to look the other way if she didn't think anyone would catch her, but if you don't do anything, she could very well believe that she has your tacit approval of what she's done. Copying someone else's work might not seem like a big deal, but it establishes the idea that it's okay to take illicit shortcuts--not a good notion for a future nurse to carry around.

I'm really sorry you are finding yourself in such a crummy predicament.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

That's what i'm debating on, i thought about emailing the professor saying what i've found.

I also wonder in the back of my mind, if HE discovers its copied, if he's going to wonder if i'll say anything, ya know what i mean?

Good point.

Still I don't think you'd be settled in your conscience if you pretended to criticize it, and act like nothing was wrong.

Sticky situation I know, but the truth is the best. The truth is that it's plagarized, you know it is, and let the instructor handle it and advise you from there. I definately would ask the instructor not to let them know it was you who turned him in, that's not important for anyone to know.

[CseMgr1]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

Our first essay (the final copy) in our ethics class is due two weeks from today. What the professor had us do was bring 2 hard copies to class last week, one goes to him, the other you trade with someone else to edit it, and bring back to class next week.

Well the person's i took home, her wording wasn't easy to understand, so typed in a string of words at a search engine to see if i could clarify a few things, and the first result got it word for word at a website (another site popped up a result as an "essay for sale"). When i clicked on the link and compared, apparently this person has plagiarized their WHOLE essay word for word and signed it as their own (the persons "works cited", which i checked throughly as we were told to, does not contain anything other than some magazine articles).

Now, it's likely that the professor didn't just fall off the turnip truck, and might do some checking of his own and discover this (since we have an honor code, and rules spelled out for this sort of thing), but now i'm kinda stuck on what to do. I don't feel right looking over this like i'm not aware that this isn't original work, yet it doesn't seem like it's my place to be a whistleblower.

But yet in the nursing world, if you know something wrong is going on and you don't say anything, you're just as guilty.

Any suggestions?

Turn her in. She knew exactly what she was doing, when she made the decision to go to that website and buy someone else's work. This action may very well stop a very dishonest person such as her from getting away with something much worse, which may wind up eventually harming someone someday. In this instance, she has only harmed herself, and she will have to live with the consequences.

[Marie_LPN]

I emailed the professor, and provided links of the proof. Glad i only have that class once a week.

[rn/writer]

I would hope I'd have the courage to do the same in your position.

[babynurselsa]

Man Marie. People will never cease to amaze me. It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Every college I attended very clearly spelled out that plagarism is ground for immediate expulsion.

[Marie_LPN]

Oh yeah. I forgot something in my OP. She's a nursing major. Don't think i won't be remembering her name for the future.