Am I doing your homework?
Posted 10-27-2009 at 01:11 AM by jeduffett
I don't know if this would exactly be considered an ethical issue, but recently I've been thinking about something I would at least classify as a problem or concern. One of the first questions I answered this semester was in the RescueRef category because it contained more than one question. The patron indicated it was for a homework assignment - it was pretty clear that the questions had been submitted exactly as they had been originally posed. For each question, I directed the patron to at least 2 internet resources that would answer the question and give more information about the topic.
Since answering that question, I have noticed the same patron submitting similar e-mails with multiple questions, usually in the science/math vein. Generally these questions are not framed like "oh, where can I find resources about this? I have a few questions." but instead are very blunt: "define this. explain this. what was this person famous for?" At this point, I have just chosen to answer other questions from other users. I also realize that I may not have all the facts in this situation. However, I can't help but feel we are helping this person cheat (UVA alum; I think the Honor Code is written in my DNA now).
I have been wondering if this person would be so bold as to walk into his local public library and demand answers from the reference desk instead of asking where he could find appropriate resources. When discussing reference interviews in other classes, I don't believe we really discussed librarians refusing to answer questions because of ethical concerns. I would have no problem directing a patron to a book that I didn't agree with but I feel like this is a different matter. Like I stated above, I feel like this probably wouldn't happen in person but the questioner feels more comfortable with the "distance" provided by online communication.
Since answering that question, I have noticed the same patron submitting similar e-mails with multiple questions, usually in the science/math vein. Generally these questions are not framed like "oh, where can I find resources about this? I have a few questions." but instead are very blunt: "define this. explain this. what was this person famous for?" At this point, I have just chosen to answer other questions from other users. I also realize that I may not have all the facts in this situation. However, I can't help but feel we are helping this person cheat (UVA alum; I think the Honor Code is written in my DNA now).
I have been wondering if this person would be so bold as to walk into his local public library and demand answers from the reference desk instead of asking where he could find appropriate resources. When discussing reference interviews in other classes, I don't believe we really discussed librarians refusing to answer questions because of ethical concerns. I would have no problem directing a patron to a book that I didn't agree with but I feel like this is a different matter. Like I stated above, I feel like this probably wouldn't happen in person but the questioner feels more comfortable with the "distance" provided by online communication.
Total Comments 8
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I feel your pain, but think that if they are smart enough to come for help, then I should give it to them. I wouldn't classify this as cheating. Perhaps the assignment was to use an online library to find the answer! Since you don't know, and it got passed on by the librarians who review each question, I wouldn't let it take up too much space in your brain.
Answer them guilt-free. It isn't your problem even if it is cheating. You are the resource conduit. And while you teach them how to find the answers in your reply, you are giving them something EXTREMELY valuable. Pat yourself on the back, don't kick yourself in the butt! |
Posted 10-27-2009 at 01:01 PM by skoorey
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This frustrates me too, and I see a lot of it working at an academic institution. My advice is - if they're cheating, they're the ones who are suffering in the end, and it will eventually come back to haunt them, as homework assignments are practice to learn HOW to do something. If they can't figure that out then... well, they're the ones who will end up, for lack of a better term, stupider.
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Posted 10-28-2009 at 12:45 AM by aclossen
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I've wondered the same thing a couple of times! Two queries in particular screamed "high school science assignment" to me.
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Posted 10-28-2009 at 01:29 AM by mollylewis
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Homework helpAnother development these days is that there are now "homework help" services that many public libraries subscribe to such as http://www.tutor.com/ - if the person gives a location, you could check and see if their local public library has the tutor.com or other homework help service subscription as part of its services, and give that link to the student among your other answer resources. That could be a very big help for a struggling student, especially one who might not have a family member able or available to help with needs for homework tutoring.
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Posted 10-28-2009 at 06:42 AM by Lorri
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INTERESTING! This happened to me via IPL and I wrote about how weird I felt afterward in my blog. A student patron asked first for a fact about a certain type of bird. Then, half a day later, for interesting facts about this type of bird-- after I had spent quite a while amassing a collection, no less, of interesting facts about this bird!
One of the libraries I've worked in had a strong (while unstated) policy about not doing children's homework for them. I think the distance you mentioned does provide the kids with some assurance that a) they're just asking for "help" or b) they have simply "outsmarted" the machine!!!  I would be interested in hearing from some of the tutors on tutors.com. As Lorri mentioned, they provide live online homework help. How much of the students' work do they end up doing? What are their etiquette rules? |
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Posted 10-28-2009 at 03:57 PM by arg34
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I've seen a few similar requests as an IPL ref admin- sometimes it's really obvious (to me) when a patron has done a direct 'cut and paste' from their assignment.
My favorite thus far? a 'cut 'n' paste' for a religious studies student - and a multi-parter. I could easily see how the librarian responding could help with the first section -where the concept of the Parousia (the Second Coming) was mentioned in the writings of Paul. The second part of the question - "how does the thought of the parousia affect your own faith journey"..... I think you're gonna have to answer that question for yourself, o my inquiring patron! |
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Posted 11-06-2009 at 12:56 PM by Gwennan
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Hmmm....one could give an answer something like "The thought of the parousia inspires me to behave ethically, including refusing to do others' homework assignments." ;-)
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Posted 11-06-2009 at 03:27 PM by tonbarmcc
Updated 11-06-2009 at 03:33 PM by tonbarmcc |
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I feel frustrated by this as well. I like to think that if we just guide them to the resources, they still have to figure out how to answer the question on their own. We're helping to teach them how to find the answers. Of course, I'm probably just fooling myself and they're just going to copy and paste from the websites we point them to, but they'll get caught eventually.
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Posted 11-11-2009 at 01:51 PM by Stacey
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Recent Blog Entries by jeduffett
- Why I like reference work (11-18-2009)
- Collection development (11-13-2009)
- Text A Librarian (11-02-2009)
- Am I doing your homework? (10-27-2009)
- QuestionPoint (10-21-2009)
