Similarity and originality in code: plagiarism and normal variation in student assignments

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between plagiarism and normal variation in student programming assignments. Reasons why code might be similar, both innocuous and suspicious are described. Free text searching and structural metrics are used to examine a set of programming assignments. These metrics are used as the basis for analysis of the variability in the student assignments and the processes used by the students. The boundary between normal practice and plagiarism is examined by “forced plagiarism”. Finally we briefly examine student understanding of cheating and normal work processes. The investigation of similarity has provided some clarity to the ambiguous fine line of un/acceptable practice.

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