In this month’s podcast, Richard Kjellgren (University of Stirling) talks to Mairéad Boland, QQI, about the scoping study, Criminal Grades? Contract cheating and student exploitation in Higher Education, which he conducted alongside Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith (University of Stirling) and Professor Alistair Fraser (University of Glasgow).
The study was published by the Scottish Centre for Crime & Justice Research in June 2022 and was undertaken in order to consider student vulnerabilities relating to contract cheating and – more broadly – academic misconduct. In the podcast, Richard discusses what the research uncovered about different types of contract cheating provision and key messages for education providers.
Note: The study 'Criminal Grades? Contract cheating and student exploitation in Higher Education' categorises contract cheating services into three broad types based on the platforms on which they are provided: cheating organisations’ own websites (“essay mills”), small ads platforms such as Gumtree, and ‘outsourcing’ sites such as Fiverr. Any comments in the podcast with regard to Gumtree or Fiverr should not be construed as claims that these sites are essay mills; rather, Richard discusses in the podcast how Fiverr, Gumtree and similar sites can be misused by contract cheating organisations as platforms for providing their services to learners. Fiverr clearly states in its Terms of Service that users of its site are prohibited from “offering to prepare academic works on behalf of Buyers”. In its Terms & Conditions of Use, Gumtree stipulates that users of the site are prohibited from “post[ing] Content in breach any applicable laws or regulation”. QQI encourages listeners to report any misuse of the Fiverr and/or Gumtree platforms (and other similar platforms) directly to the relevant platform.
Find the study here
To learn more about the National Academic Integrity Network
Introduction to the Framework: Investigating Academic Misconduct
NAIN Podcast Series: An Interview with Lorna Dodd
#ConferenceCatchUp: #QQI10 panel discussion on digital transformations and future-fit quality and qualifications
CEFRL Conversations: Aoife Ní Ghloinn
CEFRL Conversations: Julie Butters
#ConferenceCatchUp: Walter Balfe on developing QA guidelines for fully online programmes
#ConferenceCatchUp: Invited responses to the launch of the Global Academic Integrity Network
#ConferenceCatchUp: Dr Jim Murray on QQI’s international education activity
CEFRL Conversations: Jane Seely
#ConferenceCatchUp: Dr Padraig Walsh on working in partnership for quality and qualifications
#ConferenceCatchUp: Dr Bryan Maguire on QQI, the future of quality assurance, and supporting our qualifications
#ConferenceCatchUp: StudentSurvey.ie
#ConferenceCatchUp: Associate Professor Blánaid White on the DCU Futures experience
#ConferenceCatchUp: Dr Padraig Walsh of QQI speaks at the launch of GAIN, the Global Academic Integrity Network
#ConferenceCatchUp: Ian McKenna (DFHERIS) on Ireland’s international education strategy
CEFRL Conversations: Professor Barry O’Sullivan
#ConferenceCatchUp: Dr Linda Doyle on quality in the face of adversity
#ConferenceCatchUp: What role for equality, diversity and inclusion? (panel featuring Dr Philip Owende and Dr Lucy Michael)
#ConferenceCatchUp: #QQI10 panel discussion on centring students in quality assurance for equity and engagement
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