PLAGIARISM AND COLLABORATION ON SOFTWARE PROJECTS
The project work you turn in must represent your own work and not the
work
of someone else. On the other hand, it is unreasonable to expect that
you
will work in a complete vacuum, without ever speaking to a classmate.
The
purpose of this note is to give you some guidance about the areas in
which
it is appropriate to discuss project phases with your classmates.
Violating
these guidelines may result in a charge of academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism
The term plagiarism describes an attempt to claim work as your
own,
which you have copied from another person, whether that other person
knows
about it or not. In a class like this, plagiarism includes copying
program
code, data, documentation, etc. Plagiarism is simply not allowed. If
you
submit another student's work as your own, you will be charged with a
violation
of the GW Academic Integrity Code.
Collaboration
Collaboration is defined as two or more students working
together
on a phase of a project. Working together does not mean that one
student
does the work and the other student just copies it! Collaboration is
allowed
under certain conditions, as long as you are honest about it.
You are taking this class to learn important fundamental things
about
computing, and I must give you a grade that fairly represents what I
think
you've learned. Therefore, I need to know that your work is your
work, so I need to limit the collaboration somewhat. For purposes of
projects
in this class, here are some guidelines as to which phases of a project
are appropriate for discussion with friends, and which are
inappropriate.
| OK |
Preliminary analysis of problem |
| OK |
Developing basic algorithm |
| OK |
Developing a test plan |
| NO |
Coding in the programming language |
| NO |
Proof-reading the program before compiling |
| OK |
Interpreting error messages from the compiler |
| OK |
Interpreting exception tracebacks and logic
errors at execution
time |
| NO |
Modifying your code to correct compilation or execution
errors |
| NO |
Writing up the report |
Project Signature Page
The first page of each project must be a photocopy or printout of the project
signature page, with your original signature and date, and any
other
required information filled, in.
"Truth in Advertising"
If you receive help from another student you must list your
collaborator's
name on the signature sheet, giving the phase(s) in which your
collaborator
assisted you.
Save Your Projects!
You are required to save all your projects until the end of the
semester,
after grades have been reported. Be prepared to re-submit these to the
instructor if he or she asks you to do so.
Protect Yourself
If you suspect that another student is misusing your work (for example,
one of your printouts disappeared), report this immediately to the
instructor,
to protect yourself against a charge of plagiarism if your work is
copied
by another student.
Read Academic
Integrity in Computer Science and theGW
Code of Academic Integrity carefully.
