A&P Instructor Accused Me of Plagiarism

[kissmypineapple]

I don't know how to handle this at all. I've never cheated in my life, and I don't even understand how you would plagiarize the assignment. I'm taking A&P online, and for this assignment, we were to do two virtual labs and watch videos about the respiratory system, including the pathway, etc. The first question of the lab journal was to describe the pathway through the respiratory system, describe inhalation, and describe exhalation. I assume (because he has not responded to my email yet) that is the portion he thinks I plagiarized, because the other two questions were over the virtual lab. It is beyond me how it's possible to plagiarize the pathway of air through the respiratory system.

His comment on my assignment was that I copied it from the internet, and he gave me a zero. I messaged him back that I didn't, but other than just saying I didn't cheat, I don't have any way to prove it, and I won't know anything until he responds. I work more than full time as a domestic violence victim advocate while I'm taking this and another course. My dog just had major surgery, which was unexpected and made my husband's and my finances extremely tight, I'm just starting to get over a nasty bout with viral pharyngitis, and my hard drive crashed yesterday. I can't catch a break, and I feel like I'm killing myself on these classes.

I'm just so upset and need to vent. Any advice would also be more than welcome.

Thanks.

[mrsboots87]

the only reason that you might have been accused of plagiarism is that , when you lifted the answer from the internet, you probably copied everything from the , or you might have cut and pasted the report on your answers. If professors are wide readers they will easily catch lazy students who does these things, one mistake made by other students is that they are not aware of the copyright marks that goes along a portion of the report where they get these answers and they appear on your reports if you don't read the whole report after you are done with it, you will never realize your mistake.

If I am understanding you correctly, you are saying sho copied her answer and should have been batter at cheating. I dont think you read her post or any subsequent comments because the whole point is that she did NOT copy answers. She is merely being accused of it. If that is not what your meant, then you post is confusing and I am interested to see what point you were trying to convey.

[DaraBennett]

I really think you should pursue this. This is a huge hit to your reputation and should not be allowed to stand undefended. You do not! Want this following you around life.

[kissmypineapple]

To be clear, in case it wasn't, I did not copy my answers from anywhere. I do my own work.

Anyway, I did call the chair of the department and left a message requesting a meeting. After a few more emails with my professor in which I was increasingly aggressive, albeit cordial and professional, he finally looked through all the screenshots I sent of different plagiarism checking websites if run my assignment through, and they're results. He also looked through my original document. He emailed me back and told me I had convinced him that I had not cheated and then he reevaluated my assignment for full credit.

I am so relieved and so grateful that he eventually started listening to me, because I'm sure everyone accused if cheating says they didn't. Thanks again for all the support and suggestions! If there's anything positive about this experience, it reminded me how badly I want to be a nurse and what all my hard work is for. With it being so far off in the future, sometimes I get so overwhelmed with how much money I'm spending on prereqs and how much time my husband and I aren't spending together while I study, it's difficult to remember why I started.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I think your evidence from valid resources in addition to your professionalism in communicating definitely boosted your case. Kudos to you for keeping a cool front rather than flying off the handle in rage. This will serve you well as you progress through your nursing education and ultimately your career.

Nice work!

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Way to Go!!!! Victory! I hope this marks the beginning of a greater turnaround for you!

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

If I were you, I would copy and paste the answer you gave him into Google and see what comes up. I would ask him what source he thinks you copied it from.

[ShelbyaStar]

Glad it was resolved! Sounds like he just jumped the gun due to the formatting, which is a bit silly I think- I usually write my papers in Word and then copy/paste to the online submission and that can cause some wonkiness.