Is it unethical to anonymously give a flagged solution to an unidentified student who has shown intent to...












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One of the adjuncts that I work with found that one of their students had posted their assignment on a freelancer website asking for the solution. We joked that he should place a bid and fail them afterwards and had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment. In the end we came to the conclusion we were not the police and to let the chair know, but ultimately take no action.



I was wondering about the ethics of anonymously giving this student a flagged solution with the goal of identifying the student and removing them from the class.



Some additional clarifications:




  • Assume that the student clearly only wants the solutions for a grade, and is not asking for assistance in understanding the material

  • This would be done as a private transfer of documents (like email), not a public posting (like a stackoverflow answer), to avoid issues of other students stumbling upon the flagged solution.

  • We would provide the correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value










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  • 2





    This is a great question -- I always want to do things like this, but avoid doing so in order to limit my own exposure to legal/ethical second-guessing

    – cag51
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    Removing your cheater from the class would be kind of a dick move; all their little classmates are probably cheating too. Making the student repeat the assignment and giving a finger-wagging lecture about cheating to the whole class would probably be fine. Lotta effort to go through to catch one of the people cheating in class though.

    – CJ59
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    @cag51 correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value.

    – Ray
    12 hours ago






  • 2





    It's not rocket science. If you give an answer to someone on the internet where one of the variables is named zyjkbk and someone turns in an exact copy of your code down to the variable name zyjkbk you've found your winner.

    – CJ59
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    @CJ59 If the only penalty for cheating is that they have to repeat the assignment...which is to say, they have to do the assignment this time, then the only difference between them and the students who did their own work the first time is that cheater is able to turn in the assignment after the deadline. That won't discourage anyone from cheating. But if they fail the class because they got caught, that might make any other cheaters who didn't get caught think twice before doing it again.

    – Ray
    1 hour ago
















12















One of the adjuncts that I work with found that one of their students had posted their assignment on a freelancer website asking for the solution. We joked that he should place a bid and fail them afterwards and had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment. In the end we came to the conclusion we were not the police and to let the chair know, but ultimately take no action.



I was wondering about the ethics of anonymously giving this student a flagged solution with the goal of identifying the student and removing them from the class.



Some additional clarifications:




  • Assume that the student clearly only wants the solutions for a grade, and is not asking for assistance in understanding the material

  • This would be done as a private transfer of documents (like email), not a public posting (like a stackoverflow answer), to avoid issues of other students stumbling upon the flagged solution.

  • We would provide the correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value










share|improve this question









New contributor




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  • 2





    This is a great question -- I always want to do things like this, but avoid doing so in order to limit my own exposure to legal/ethical second-guessing

    – cag51
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    Removing your cheater from the class would be kind of a dick move; all their little classmates are probably cheating too. Making the student repeat the assignment and giving a finger-wagging lecture about cheating to the whole class would probably be fine. Lotta effort to go through to catch one of the people cheating in class though.

    – CJ59
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    @cag51 correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value.

    – Ray
    12 hours ago






  • 2





    It's not rocket science. If you give an answer to someone on the internet where one of the variables is named zyjkbk and someone turns in an exact copy of your code down to the variable name zyjkbk you've found your winner.

    – CJ59
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    @CJ59 If the only penalty for cheating is that they have to repeat the assignment...which is to say, they have to do the assignment this time, then the only difference between them and the students who did their own work the first time is that cheater is able to turn in the assignment after the deadline. That won't discourage anyone from cheating. But if they fail the class because they got caught, that might make any other cheaters who didn't get caught think twice before doing it again.

    – Ray
    1 hour ago














12












12








12








One of the adjuncts that I work with found that one of their students had posted their assignment on a freelancer website asking for the solution. We joked that he should place a bid and fail them afterwards and had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment. In the end we came to the conclusion we were not the police and to let the chair know, but ultimately take no action.



I was wondering about the ethics of anonymously giving this student a flagged solution with the goal of identifying the student and removing them from the class.



Some additional clarifications:




  • Assume that the student clearly only wants the solutions for a grade, and is not asking for assistance in understanding the material

  • This would be done as a private transfer of documents (like email), not a public posting (like a stackoverflow answer), to avoid issues of other students stumbling upon the flagged solution.

  • We would provide the correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value










share|improve this question









New contributor




Ray is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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One of the adjuncts that I work with found that one of their students had posted their assignment on a freelancer website asking for the solution. We joked that he should place a bid and fail them afterwards and had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment. In the end we came to the conclusion we were not the police and to let the chair know, but ultimately take no action.



I was wondering about the ethics of anonymously giving this student a flagged solution with the goal of identifying the student and removing them from the class.



Some additional clarifications:




  • Assume that the student clearly only wants the solutions for a grade, and is not asking for assistance in understanding the material

  • This would be done as a private transfer of documents (like email), not a public posting (like a stackoverflow answer), to avoid issues of other students stumbling upon the flagged solution.

  • We would provide the correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value







ethics cheating






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edited 11 hours ago









cag51

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asked 13 hours ago









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  • 2





    This is a great question -- I always want to do things like this, but avoid doing so in order to limit my own exposure to legal/ethical second-guessing

    – cag51
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    Removing your cheater from the class would be kind of a dick move; all their little classmates are probably cheating too. Making the student repeat the assignment and giving a finger-wagging lecture about cheating to the whole class would probably be fine. Lotta effort to go through to catch one of the people cheating in class though.

    – CJ59
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    @cag51 correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value.

    – Ray
    12 hours ago






  • 2





    It's not rocket science. If you give an answer to someone on the internet where one of the variables is named zyjkbk and someone turns in an exact copy of your code down to the variable name zyjkbk you've found your winner.

    – CJ59
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    @CJ59 If the only penalty for cheating is that they have to repeat the assignment...which is to say, they have to do the assignment this time, then the only difference between them and the students who did their own work the first time is that cheater is able to turn in the assignment after the deadline. That won't discourage anyone from cheating. But if they fail the class because they got caught, that might make any other cheaters who didn't get caught think twice before doing it again.

    – Ray
    1 hour ago














  • 2





    This is a great question -- I always want to do things like this, but avoid doing so in order to limit my own exposure to legal/ethical second-guessing

    – cag51
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    Removing your cheater from the class would be kind of a dick move; all their little classmates are probably cheating too. Making the student repeat the assignment and giving a finger-wagging lecture about cheating to the whole class would probably be fine. Lotta effort to go through to catch one of the people cheating in class though.

    – CJ59
    13 hours ago






  • 1





    @cag51 correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value.

    – Ray
    12 hours ago






  • 2





    It's not rocket science. If you give an answer to someone on the internet where one of the variables is named zyjkbk and someone turns in an exact copy of your code down to the variable name zyjkbk you've found your winner.

    – CJ59
    12 hours ago






  • 1





    @CJ59 If the only penalty for cheating is that they have to repeat the assignment...which is to say, they have to do the assignment this time, then the only difference between them and the students who did their own work the first time is that cheater is able to turn in the assignment after the deadline. That won't discourage anyone from cheating. But if they fail the class because they got caught, that might make any other cheaters who didn't get caught think twice before doing it again.

    – Ray
    1 hour ago








2




2





This is a great question -- I always want to do things like this, but avoid doing so in order to limit my own exposure to legal/ethical second-guessing

– cag51
13 hours ago





This is a great question -- I always want to do things like this, but avoid doing so in order to limit my own exposure to legal/ethical second-guessing

– cag51
13 hours ago




1




1





Removing your cheater from the class would be kind of a dick move; all their little classmates are probably cheating too. Making the student repeat the assignment and giving a finger-wagging lecture about cheating to the whole class would probably be fine. Lotta effort to go through to catch one of the people cheating in class though.

– CJ59
13 hours ago





Removing your cheater from the class would be kind of a dick move; all their little classmates are probably cheating too. Making the student repeat the assignment and giving a finger-wagging lecture about cheating to the whole class would probably be fine. Lotta effort to go through to catch one of the people cheating in class though.

– CJ59
13 hours ago




1




1





@cag51 correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value.

– Ray
12 hours ago





@cag51 correct solution but with some additional embedded data that identifies the source like metadata, comments, and in the case of code extraneous steps that don't break the solution, but don't add any value.

– Ray
12 hours ago




2




2





It's not rocket science. If you give an answer to someone on the internet where one of the variables is named zyjkbk and someone turns in an exact copy of your code down to the variable name zyjkbk you've found your winner.

– CJ59
12 hours ago





It's not rocket science. If you give an answer to someone on the internet where one of the variables is named zyjkbk and someone turns in an exact copy of your code down to the variable name zyjkbk you've found your winner.

– CJ59
12 hours ago




1




1





@CJ59 If the only penalty for cheating is that they have to repeat the assignment...which is to say, they have to do the assignment this time, then the only difference between them and the students who did their own work the first time is that cheater is able to turn in the assignment after the deadline. That won't discourage anyone from cheating. But if they fail the class because they got caught, that might make any other cheaters who didn't get caught think twice before doing it again.

– Ray
1 hour ago





@CJ59 If the only penalty for cheating is that they have to repeat the assignment...which is to say, they have to do the assignment this time, then the only difference between them and the students who did their own work the first time is that cheater is able to turn in the assignment after the deadline. That won't discourage anyone from cheating. But if they fail the class because they got caught, that might make any other cheaters who didn't get caught think twice before doing it again.

– Ray
1 hour ago










5 Answers
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oldest

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4














What about a constructive approach? Since you are already familiar with the website the student is using, why not show him the way to the solution instead of handing it to him in full?



I do not know about the specifics of your situation, but in my opinion you should try to positively influence the student rather than playing a prank.



(I'd still find it pretty funny, tough)



Sending him a modified solution can create new problems: what arw you going to do if half of the class has a marked solution?



In my opinion, this approach would be questionable ethic-wise at best, because you are actively helping the student to fail.






share|improve this answer





















  • 3





    Not sure I agree; while "positively influencing the student" sounds nice, this is a student who is trying to buy answers, which is unfair to everyone else in the class. In any case, the question asks about legal/ethical implications of giving flagged solutions to identify cheaters, not for brainstorming possible alternative approaches.

    – cag51
    7 hours ago













  • after re-reading the question, i extended my answer to be more on-topic. Thank you for the comment, @cag51!

    – Jonas Schwarz
    7 hours ago






  • 4





    +1 University is neither a competition, nor are academic teachers judges who have to hand out punishment at any attempted wrongdoing. Catch and caution him before he has actually cheated, and then teach him how to do it correctly, which is what you're payed for anyway.

    – Karl
    7 hours ago



















3














It is unethical if you plan to punish them for the offense you are entrapping them to commit (submitting under their own name an assignment done by someone else). But I think it’s ethical, though potentially still problematic, if you plan to only punish them for the offense they have already committed (soliciting solutions for a homework assignment on a freelancer website), and are only engaging in the “sting” to solve the practical problem of identifying the student who has committed that offense.



The point is that there are two dishonest, punishable acts beings discussed here, one that was already committed and the other that is at this point only (presumably) contemplated. The student has already done something that violates most universities’ code of conduct by posting online the solicitation for someone else to do their homework assignment. It would be completely reasonable for you to punish them if you knew who they were. So I don’t see an ethical issue with a sting operation carried out exclusively for the purpose of finding the identity of the offending student, which effectively can be regarded as doing detective work to catch a cheater. Edit: you should also plan to give back to the student any money they pay you for the freelance work.



As for punishing the student for the (more egregious) future offense, which at this point is still hypothetical, you should keep in mind that without your “sting” the student might well end up failing to find a freelancer to help them cheat, or simply have a change of heart at the last minute. I think it would be pretty obviously unethical to actively assist them in cheating, which actually increases the chance that they will engage in this behavior, and then punish them for that cheating. The student would be very likely to argue that they would not have gone through with the cheating if it weren’t for your “help”, and, while this may or may not be true, since you can’t say with confidence whether it’s true or not I think it’s actually a pretty compelling argument.



Finally, I mentioned that even the ethical approach is potentially problematic. What I mean is, first of all, the argument that it is ethical is a bit tricky and I’m not 100% sure everyone will agree with it. Moreover, the sting might violate some policy or be disapproved of by the administration for reasons of public relations or other things not directly related to ethics. And second of all, from an educational point of view your role as an educator is not to entrap but to educate, while still maintaining a minimum level of integrity. Since the student has not yet actually copied the homework, if there is any way you can prevent the copying from happening without a sting, I think that would be vastly preferable. (For example, you could email the class and make it clear you are aware of the illicit use of the freelancer website, and warn about severe consequences for anyone caught using it, and maybe even announce a change in the assignment due to this violation, or something along those lines that could deter the cheater.)






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  • Sorry, but if taking their money in a scheme is wrong, then planning to give it back isn't going to save you.

    – Buffy
    4 hours ago











  • @Buffy why not? And what exactly are you trying to signify by putting the word “planning” in italics?

    – Dan Romik
    4 hours ago











  • Well, it’s better if the plan to return the money is documented, to avoid people getting the wrong idea. Maybe that’s what you meant.

    – Dan Romik
    2 hours ago



















1















[We] had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment




The distinction between the two is important here. A sting catches someone doing something they were already going to do. Entrapment is where you trick them into doing it in the first place. If you posted an advertisement offering to solve the assignment for them, and some students took you up on that, that would be entrapment, and would definitely be unethical: they might not have cheated if you hadn't posted the advertisement.



But in this case, they have already chosen to cheat. The only thing you can change is whether the assignment that they cheated on is easily recognizable as such. In some cases, it's hard to distinguish between a sting and entrapment. That isn't the case here; there's a (presumably) timestamped job posting the proves they were planning to do this before you got involved.



You should still definitely run this by the department chair or someone first if you decide to do it, though. It looks similar to entrapment even though it isn't, and it's better to justify your actions before you do them, instead of letting it be an unpleasant surprise when the student complains later.



The fact that you'd be getting paid to do the assignment is an issue, as well. Returning the fee to the cheater after catching them probably addresses this issue. (And maybe turn it over to the department in the meantime, to avoid the appearance of potential impropriety.)






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    0














    As long as it is completely unambiguous that the student intends to cheat, I do not think it would be unethical to "entrap" them. The important principle is that, in your capacity as the "freelancer" providing the "flagged solution", you do not at any point encourage or incite the student to cheat.



    When the student is caught, he/she will probably claim that he/she only wanted some guidance, not the solution, and that the "freelancer" misinterpreted his/her wishes. To ensure that you cannot be accused of inciting misconduct, it is important that the written evidence (electronic-mail correspondence is admissible as evidence in a court of law) demonstrates beyond doubt that, after having made a good faith effort to assist the student to an extent that would not constitute cheating, the student insisted, on his/her own initiative, upon having the complete solution.






    share|improve this answer








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    • 1





      What would OP gain from failing the student, other than the right to brag in future classes? For the student on the other hand, failing or being removed from the class could have way more severe negative consequences.

      – Jonas Schwarz
      7 hours ago











    • And you take their money. Don't neglect that part.

      – Buffy
      6 hours ago



















    -2














    I think that the legality of doing this would be in question in a lot of places. I doubt that the police could do a similar thing (in the US) without first obtaining a court order, for example.



    I think the ethics of it might also be questionable, but I think a discussion with an ethicist might be in order. The reason for the requirement for a court order, by the way, is to get an independent, non interested, opinion as to the propriety, as well as the legality.



    You made the right decision IMO to avoid doing this and to be cautious about it.



    However, if students are informed specifically or generally that such sites are monitored it might at least cut down on the practice. Of course it would be more useful if such assignments could be marked on those sites when they appear.



    Ultimately, of course, while we want to "catch a thief" it is better all around if we can prevent the theft in the first place.





    Based on the comments here let me add that I haven't claimed that the activity is definitely illegal anywhere, only that it might be. Moreover, my suggestions to avoid this action is to save people from potential grief that they might suffer by taking an action that "seems fair, but is foul". I try not to recommend risky behavior and generally caution people against it. Your desires may differ, of course.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 3





      What would be illegal?

      – Azor Ahai
      12 hours ago






    • 5





      Hard to see how this is fraud or at all questionably legal. One isn't getting money for the solution. And I'm not sure why you think that police would need a court order to do something similar. There are a lot of misconceptions about entrapment but the actual circumstances where it legally constitutes entrapment are extremely narrow en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#United_States .

      – JoshuaZ
      11 hours ago






    • 2





      To me the idea that this might be illegal looks quite far-fetched. "I doubt the police could do a similar thing..." The police only investigate things that are potentially illegal, and cheating on your homework is not illegal.

      – Pete L. Clark
      11 hours ago






    • 3





      @Buffy I'm getting the sense you're speculating about fraud. I don't know much about what defines fraud, so I asked you. When you have an actual legal explanation of what would be illegal, please share it with us.

      – Azor Ahai
      11 hours ago






    • 4





      Things are not legal or illegal by analogy. Speculating that the legality of an action "would be in question in a lot of places" without any justification or legal expertise is, in my opinion, unhelpful.

      – Pete L. Clark
      11 hours ago











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    5 Answers
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    5 Answers
    5






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    What about a constructive approach? Since you are already familiar with the website the student is using, why not show him the way to the solution instead of handing it to him in full?



    I do not know about the specifics of your situation, but in my opinion you should try to positively influence the student rather than playing a prank.



    (I'd still find it pretty funny, tough)



    Sending him a modified solution can create new problems: what arw you going to do if half of the class has a marked solution?



    In my opinion, this approach would be questionable ethic-wise at best, because you are actively helping the student to fail.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 3





      Not sure I agree; while "positively influencing the student" sounds nice, this is a student who is trying to buy answers, which is unfair to everyone else in the class. In any case, the question asks about legal/ethical implications of giving flagged solutions to identify cheaters, not for brainstorming possible alternative approaches.

      – cag51
      7 hours ago













    • after re-reading the question, i extended my answer to be more on-topic. Thank you for the comment, @cag51!

      – Jonas Schwarz
      7 hours ago






    • 4





      +1 University is neither a competition, nor are academic teachers judges who have to hand out punishment at any attempted wrongdoing. Catch and caution him before he has actually cheated, and then teach him how to do it correctly, which is what you're payed for anyway.

      – Karl
      7 hours ago
















    4














    What about a constructive approach? Since you are already familiar with the website the student is using, why not show him the way to the solution instead of handing it to him in full?



    I do not know about the specifics of your situation, but in my opinion you should try to positively influence the student rather than playing a prank.



    (I'd still find it pretty funny, tough)



    Sending him a modified solution can create new problems: what arw you going to do if half of the class has a marked solution?



    In my opinion, this approach would be questionable ethic-wise at best, because you are actively helping the student to fail.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 3





      Not sure I agree; while "positively influencing the student" sounds nice, this is a student who is trying to buy answers, which is unfair to everyone else in the class. In any case, the question asks about legal/ethical implications of giving flagged solutions to identify cheaters, not for brainstorming possible alternative approaches.

      – cag51
      7 hours ago













    • after re-reading the question, i extended my answer to be more on-topic. Thank you for the comment, @cag51!

      – Jonas Schwarz
      7 hours ago






    • 4





      +1 University is neither a competition, nor are academic teachers judges who have to hand out punishment at any attempted wrongdoing. Catch and caution him before he has actually cheated, and then teach him how to do it correctly, which is what you're payed for anyway.

      – Karl
      7 hours ago














    4












    4








    4







    What about a constructive approach? Since you are already familiar with the website the student is using, why not show him the way to the solution instead of handing it to him in full?



    I do not know about the specifics of your situation, but in my opinion you should try to positively influence the student rather than playing a prank.



    (I'd still find it pretty funny, tough)



    Sending him a modified solution can create new problems: what arw you going to do if half of the class has a marked solution?



    In my opinion, this approach would be questionable ethic-wise at best, because you are actively helping the student to fail.






    share|improve this answer















    What about a constructive approach? Since you are already familiar with the website the student is using, why not show him the way to the solution instead of handing it to him in full?



    I do not know about the specifics of your situation, but in my opinion you should try to positively influence the student rather than playing a prank.



    (I'd still find it pretty funny, tough)



    Sending him a modified solution can create new problems: what arw you going to do if half of the class has a marked solution?



    In my opinion, this approach would be questionable ethic-wise at best, because you are actively helping the student to fail.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 7 hours ago

























    answered 7 hours ago









    Jonas SchwarzJonas Schwarz

    1,2602824




    1,2602824








    • 3





      Not sure I agree; while "positively influencing the student" sounds nice, this is a student who is trying to buy answers, which is unfair to everyone else in the class. In any case, the question asks about legal/ethical implications of giving flagged solutions to identify cheaters, not for brainstorming possible alternative approaches.

      – cag51
      7 hours ago













    • after re-reading the question, i extended my answer to be more on-topic. Thank you for the comment, @cag51!

      – Jonas Schwarz
      7 hours ago






    • 4





      +1 University is neither a competition, nor are academic teachers judges who have to hand out punishment at any attempted wrongdoing. Catch and caution him before he has actually cheated, and then teach him how to do it correctly, which is what you're payed for anyway.

      – Karl
      7 hours ago














    • 3





      Not sure I agree; while "positively influencing the student" sounds nice, this is a student who is trying to buy answers, which is unfair to everyone else in the class. In any case, the question asks about legal/ethical implications of giving flagged solutions to identify cheaters, not for brainstorming possible alternative approaches.

      – cag51
      7 hours ago













    • after re-reading the question, i extended my answer to be more on-topic. Thank you for the comment, @cag51!

      – Jonas Schwarz
      7 hours ago






    • 4





      +1 University is neither a competition, nor are academic teachers judges who have to hand out punishment at any attempted wrongdoing. Catch and caution him before he has actually cheated, and then teach him how to do it correctly, which is what you're payed for anyway.

      – Karl
      7 hours ago








    3




    3





    Not sure I agree; while "positively influencing the student" sounds nice, this is a student who is trying to buy answers, which is unfair to everyone else in the class. In any case, the question asks about legal/ethical implications of giving flagged solutions to identify cheaters, not for brainstorming possible alternative approaches.

    – cag51
    7 hours ago







    Not sure I agree; while "positively influencing the student" sounds nice, this is a student who is trying to buy answers, which is unfair to everyone else in the class. In any case, the question asks about legal/ethical implications of giving flagged solutions to identify cheaters, not for brainstorming possible alternative approaches.

    – cag51
    7 hours ago















    after re-reading the question, i extended my answer to be more on-topic. Thank you for the comment, @cag51!

    – Jonas Schwarz
    7 hours ago





    after re-reading the question, i extended my answer to be more on-topic. Thank you for the comment, @cag51!

    – Jonas Schwarz
    7 hours ago




    4




    4





    +1 University is neither a competition, nor are academic teachers judges who have to hand out punishment at any attempted wrongdoing. Catch and caution him before he has actually cheated, and then teach him how to do it correctly, which is what you're payed for anyway.

    – Karl
    7 hours ago





    +1 University is neither a competition, nor are academic teachers judges who have to hand out punishment at any attempted wrongdoing. Catch and caution him before he has actually cheated, and then teach him how to do it correctly, which is what you're payed for anyway.

    – Karl
    7 hours ago











    3














    It is unethical if you plan to punish them for the offense you are entrapping them to commit (submitting under their own name an assignment done by someone else). But I think it’s ethical, though potentially still problematic, if you plan to only punish them for the offense they have already committed (soliciting solutions for a homework assignment on a freelancer website), and are only engaging in the “sting” to solve the practical problem of identifying the student who has committed that offense.



    The point is that there are two dishonest, punishable acts beings discussed here, one that was already committed and the other that is at this point only (presumably) contemplated. The student has already done something that violates most universities’ code of conduct by posting online the solicitation for someone else to do their homework assignment. It would be completely reasonable for you to punish them if you knew who they were. So I don’t see an ethical issue with a sting operation carried out exclusively for the purpose of finding the identity of the offending student, which effectively can be regarded as doing detective work to catch a cheater. Edit: you should also plan to give back to the student any money they pay you for the freelance work.



    As for punishing the student for the (more egregious) future offense, which at this point is still hypothetical, you should keep in mind that without your “sting” the student might well end up failing to find a freelancer to help them cheat, or simply have a change of heart at the last minute. I think it would be pretty obviously unethical to actively assist them in cheating, which actually increases the chance that they will engage in this behavior, and then punish them for that cheating. The student would be very likely to argue that they would not have gone through with the cheating if it weren’t for your “help”, and, while this may or may not be true, since you can’t say with confidence whether it’s true or not I think it’s actually a pretty compelling argument.



    Finally, I mentioned that even the ethical approach is potentially problematic. What I mean is, first of all, the argument that it is ethical is a bit tricky and I’m not 100% sure everyone will agree with it. Moreover, the sting might violate some policy or be disapproved of by the administration for reasons of public relations or other things not directly related to ethics. And second of all, from an educational point of view your role as an educator is not to entrap but to educate, while still maintaining a minimum level of integrity. Since the student has not yet actually copied the homework, if there is any way you can prevent the copying from happening without a sting, I think that would be vastly preferable. (For example, you could email the class and make it clear you are aware of the illicit use of the freelancer website, and warn about severe consequences for anyone caught using it, and maybe even announce a change in the assignment due to this violation, or something along those lines that could deter the cheater.)






    share|improve this answer


























    • Sorry, but if taking their money in a scheme is wrong, then planning to give it back isn't going to save you.

      – Buffy
      4 hours ago











    • @Buffy why not? And what exactly are you trying to signify by putting the word “planning” in italics?

      – Dan Romik
      4 hours ago











    • Well, it’s better if the plan to return the money is documented, to avoid people getting the wrong idea. Maybe that’s what you meant.

      – Dan Romik
      2 hours ago
















    3














    It is unethical if you plan to punish them for the offense you are entrapping them to commit (submitting under their own name an assignment done by someone else). But I think it’s ethical, though potentially still problematic, if you plan to only punish them for the offense they have already committed (soliciting solutions for a homework assignment on a freelancer website), and are only engaging in the “sting” to solve the practical problem of identifying the student who has committed that offense.



    The point is that there are two dishonest, punishable acts beings discussed here, one that was already committed and the other that is at this point only (presumably) contemplated. The student has already done something that violates most universities’ code of conduct by posting online the solicitation for someone else to do their homework assignment. It would be completely reasonable for you to punish them if you knew who they were. So I don’t see an ethical issue with a sting operation carried out exclusively for the purpose of finding the identity of the offending student, which effectively can be regarded as doing detective work to catch a cheater. Edit: you should also plan to give back to the student any money they pay you for the freelance work.



    As for punishing the student for the (more egregious) future offense, which at this point is still hypothetical, you should keep in mind that without your “sting” the student might well end up failing to find a freelancer to help them cheat, or simply have a change of heart at the last minute. I think it would be pretty obviously unethical to actively assist them in cheating, which actually increases the chance that they will engage in this behavior, and then punish them for that cheating. The student would be very likely to argue that they would not have gone through with the cheating if it weren’t for your “help”, and, while this may or may not be true, since you can’t say with confidence whether it’s true or not I think it’s actually a pretty compelling argument.



    Finally, I mentioned that even the ethical approach is potentially problematic. What I mean is, first of all, the argument that it is ethical is a bit tricky and I’m not 100% sure everyone will agree with it. Moreover, the sting might violate some policy or be disapproved of by the administration for reasons of public relations or other things not directly related to ethics. And second of all, from an educational point of view your role as an educator is not to entrap but to educate, while still maintaining a minimum level of integrity. Since the student has not yet actually copied the homework, if there is any way you can prevent the copying from happening without a sting, I think that would be vastly preferable. (For example, you could email the class and make it clear you are aware of the illicit use of the freelancer website, and warn about severe consequences for anyone caught using it, and maybe even announce a change in the assignment due to this violation, or something along those lines that could deter the cheater.)






    share|improve this answer


























    • Sorry, but if taking their money in a scheme is wrong, then planning to give it back isn't going to save you.

      – Buffy
      4 hours ago











    • @Buffy why not? And what exactly are you trying to signify by putting the word “planning” in italics?

      – Dan Romik
      4 hours ago











    • Well, it’s better if the plan to return the money is documented, to avoid people getting the wrong idea. Maybe that’s what you meant.

      – Dan Romik
      2 hours ago














    3












    3








    3







    It is unethical if you plan to punish them for the offense you are entrapping them to commit (submitting under their own name an assignment done by someone else). But I think it’s ethical, though potentially still problematic, if you plan to only punish them for the offense they have already committed (soliciting solutions for a homework assignment on a freelancer website), and are only engaging in the “sting” to solve the practical problem of identifying the student who has committed that offense.



    The point is that there are two dishonest, punishable acts beings discussed here, one that was already committed and the other that is at this point only (presumably) contemplated. The student has already done something that violates most universities’ code of conduct by posting online the solicitation for someone else to do their homework assignment. It would be completely reasonable for you to punish them if you knew who they were. So I don’t see an ethical issue with a sting operation carried out exclusively for the purpose of finding the identity of the offending student, which effectively can be regarded as doing detective work to catch a cheater. Edit: you should also plan to give back to the student any money they pay you for the freelance work.



    As for punishing the student for the (more egregious) future offense, which at this point is still hypothetical, you should keep in mind that without your “sting” the student might well end up failing to find a freelancer to help them cheat, or simply have a change of heart at the last minute. I think it would be pretty obviously unethical to actively assist them in cheating, which actually increases the chance that they will engage in this behavior, and then punish them for that cheating. The student would be very likely to argue that they would not have gone through with the cheating if it weren’t for your “help”, and, while this may or may not be true, since you can’t say with confidence whether it’s true or not I think it’s actually a pretty compelling argument.



    Finally, I mentioned that even the ethical approach is potentially problematic. What I mean is, first of all, the argument that it is ethical is a bit tricky and I’m not 100% sure everyone will agree with it. Moreover, the sting might violate some policy or be disapproved of by the administration for reasons of public relations or other things not directly related to ethics. And second of all, from an educational point of view your role as an educator is not to entrap but to educate, while still maintaining a minimum level of integrity. Since the student has not yet actually copied the homework, if there is any way you can prevent the copying from happening without a sting, I think that would be vastly preferable. (For example, you could email the class and make it clear you are aware of the illicit use of the freelancer website, and warn about severe consequences for anyone caught using it, and maybe even announce a change in the assignment due to this violation, or something along those lines that could deter the cheater.)






    share|improve this answer















    It is unethical if you plan to punish them for the offense you are entrapping them to commit (submitting under their own name an assignment done by someone else). But I think it’s ethical, though potentially still problematic, if you plan to only punish them for the offense they have already committed (soliciting solutions for a homework assignment on a freelancer website), and are only engaging in the “sting” to solve the practical problem of identifying the student who has committed that offense.



    The point is that there are two dishonest, punishable acts beings discussed here, one that was already committed and the other that is at this point only (presumably) contemplated. The student has already done something that violates most universities’ code of conduct by posting online the solicitation for someone else to do their homework assignment. It would be completely reasonable for you to punish them if you knew who they were. So I don’t see an ethical issue with a sting operation carried out exclusively for the purpose of finding the identity of the offending student, which effectively can be regarded as doing detective work to catch a cheater. Edit: you should also plan to give back to the student any money they pay you for the freelance work.



    As for punishing the student for the (more egregious) future offense, which at this point is still hypothetical, you should keep in mind that without your “sting” the student might well end up failing to find a freelancer to help them cheat, or simply have a change of heart at the last minute. I think it would be pretty obviously unethical to actively assist them in cheating, which actually increases the chance that they will engage in this behavior, and then punish them for that cheating. The student would be very likely to argue that they would not have gone through with the cheating if it weren’t for your “help”, and, while this may or may not be true, since you can’t say with confidence whether it’s true or not I think it’s actually a pretty compelling argument.



    Finally, I mentioned that even the ethical approach is potentially problematic. What I mean is, first of all, the argument that it is ethical is a bit tricky and I’m not 100% sure everyone will agree with it. Moreover, the sting might violate some policy or be disapproved of by the administration for reasons of public relations or other things not directly related to ethics. And second of all, from an educational point of view your role as an educator is not to entrap but to educate, while still maintaining a minimum level of integrity. Since the student has not yet actually copied the homework, if there is any way you can prevent the copying from happening without a sting, I think that would be vastly preferable. (For example, you could email the class and make it clear you are aware of the illicit use of the freelancer website, and warn about severe consequences for anyone caught using it, and maybe even announce a change in the assignment due to this violation, or something along those lines that could deter the cheater.)







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 4 hours ago

























    answered 4 hours ago









    Dan RomikDan Romik

    84.8k21183281




    84.8k21183281













    • Sorry, but if taking their money in a scheme is wrong, then planning to give it back isn't going to save you.

      – Buffy
      4 hours ago











    • @Buffy why not? And what exactly are you trying to signify by putting the word “planning” in italics?

      – Dan Romik
      4 hours ago











    • Well, it’s better if the plan to return the money is documented, to avoid people getting the wrong idea. Maybe that’s what you meant.

      – Dan Romik
      2 hours ago



















    • Sorry, but if taking their money in a scheme is wrong, then planning to give it back isn't going to save you.

      – Buffy
      4 hours ago











    • @Buffy why not? And what exactly are you trying to signify by putting the word “planning” in italics?

      – Dan Romik
      4 hours ago











    • Well, it’s better if the plan to return the money is documented, to avoid people getting the wrong idea. Maybe that’s what you meant.

      – Dan Romik
      2 hours ago

















    Sorry, but if taking their money in a scheme is wrong, then planning to give it back isn't going to save you.

    – Buffy
    4 hours ago





    Sorry, but if taking their money in a scheme is wrong, then planning to give it back isn't going to save you.

    – Buffy
    4 hours ago













    @Buffy why not? And what exactly are you trying to signify by putting the word “planning” in italics?

    – Dan Romik
    4 hours ago





    @Buffy why not? And what exactly are you trying to signify by putting the word “planning” in italics?

    – Dan Romik
    4 hours ago













    Well, it’s better if the plan to return the money is documented, to avoid people getting the wrong idea. Maybe that’s what you meant.

    – Dan Romik
    2 hours ago





    Well, it’s better if the plan to return the money is documented, to avoid people getting the wrong idea. Maybe that’s what you meant.

    – Dan Romik
    2 hours ago











    1















    [We] had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment




    The distinction between the two is important here. A sting catches someone doing something they were already going to do. Entrapment is where you trick them into doing it in the first place. If you posted an advertisement offering to solve the assignment for them, and some students took you up on that, that would be entrapment, and would definitely be unethical: they might not have cheated if you hadn't posted the advertisement.



    But in this case, they have already chosen to cheat. The only thing you can change is whether the assignment that they cheated on is easily recognizable as such. In some cases, it's hard to distinguish between a sting and entrapment. That isn't the case here; there's a (presumably) timestamped job posting the proves they were planning to do this before you got involved.



    You should still definitely run this by the department chair or someone first if you decide to do it, though. It looks similar to entrapment even though it isn't, and it's better to justify your actions before you do them, instead of letting it be an unpleasant surprise when the student complains later.



    The fact that you'd be getting paid to do the assignment is an issue, as well. Returning the fee to the cheater after catching them probably addresses this issue. (And maybe turn it over to the department in the meantime, to avoid the appearance of potential impropriety.)






    share|improve this answer




























      1















      [We] had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment




      The distinction between the two is important here. A sting catches someone doing something they were already going to do. Entrapment is where you trick them into doing it in the first place. If you posted an advertisement offering to solve the assignment for them, and some students took you up on that, that would be entrapment, and would definitely be unethical: they might not have cheated if you hadn't posted the advertisement.



      But in this case, they have already chosen to cheat. The only thing you can change is whether the assignment that they cheated on is easily recognizable as such. In some cases, it's hard to distinguish between a sting and entrapment. That isn't the case here; there's a (presumably) timestamped job posting the proves they were planning to do this before you got involved.



      You should still definitely run this by the department chair or someone first if you decide to do it, though. It looks similar to entrapment even though it isn't, and it's better to justify your actions before you do them, instead of letting it be an unpleasant surprise when the student complains later.



      The fact that you'd be getting paid to do the assignment is an issue, as well. Returning the fee to the cheater after catching them probably addresses this issue. (And maybe turn it over to the department in the meantime, to avoid the appearance of potential impropriety.)






      share|improve this answer


























        1












        1








        1








        [We] had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment




        The distinction between the two is important here. A sting catches someone doing something they were already going to do. Entrapment is where you trick them into doing it in the first place. If you posted an advertisement offering to solve the assignment for them, and some students took you up on that, that would be entrapment, and would definitely be unethical: they might not have cheated if you hadn't posted the advertisement.



        But in this case, they have already chosen to cheat. The only thing you can change is whether the assignment that they cheated on is easily recognizable as such. In some cases, it's hard to distinguish between a sting and entrapment. That isn't the case here; there's a (presumably) timestamped job posting the proves they were planning to do this before you got involved.



        You should still definitely run this by the department chair or someone first if you decide to do it, though. It looks similar to entrapment even though it isn't, and it's better to justify your actions before you do them, instead of letting it be an unpleasant surprise when the student complains later.



        The fact that you'd be getting paid to do the assignment is an issue, as well. Returning the fee to the cheater after catching them probably addresses this issue. (And maybe turn it over to the department in the meantime, to avoid the appearance of potential impropriety.)






        share|improve this answer














        [We] had a lengthy discussion about sting operations and entrapment




        The distinction between the two is important here. A sting catches someone doing something they were already going to do. Entrapment is where you trick them into doing it in the first place. If you posted an advertisement offering to solve the assignment for them, and some students took you up on that, that would be entrapment, and would definitely be unethical: they might not have cheated if you hadn't posted the advertisement.



        But in this case, they have already chosen to cheat. The only thing you can change is whether the assignment that they cheated on is easily recognizable as such. In some cases, it's hard to distinguish between a sting and entrapment. That isn't the case here; there's a (presumably) timestamped job posting the proves they were planning to do this before you got involved.



        You should still definitely run this by the department chair or someone first if you decide to do it, though. It looks similar to entrapment even though it isn't, and it's better to justify your actions before you do them, instead of letting it be an unpleasant surprise when the student complains later.



        The fact that you'd be getting paid to do the assignment is an issue, as well. Returning the fee to the cheater after catching them probably addresses this issue. (And maybe turn it over to the department in the meantime, to avoid the appearance of potential impropriety.)







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 1 hour ago









        RayRay

        71038




        71038























            0














            As long as it is completely unambiguous that the student intends to cheat, I do not think it would be unethical to "entrap" them. The important principle is that, in your capacity as the "freelancer" providing the "flagged solution", you do not at any point encourage or incite the student to cheat.



            When the student is caught, he/she will probably claim that he/she only wanted some guidance, not the solution, and that the "freelancer" misinterpreted his/her wishes. To ensure that you cannot be accused of inciting misconduct, it is important that the written evidence (electronic-mail correspondence is admissible as evidence in a court of law) demonstrates beyond doubt that, after having made a good faith effort to assist the student to an extent that would not constitute cheating, the student insisted, on his/her own initiative, upon having the complete solution.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.
















            • 1





              What would OP gain from failing the student, other than the right to brag in future classes? For the student on the other hand, failing or being removed from the class could have way more severe negative consequences.

              – Jonas Schwarz
              7 hours ago











            • And you take their money. Don't neglect that part.

              – Buffy
              6 hours ago
















            0














            As long as it is completely unambiguous that the student intends to cheat, I do not think it would be unethical to "entrap" them. The important principle is that, in your capacity as the "freelancer" providing the "flagged solution", you do not at any point encourage or incite the student to cheat.



            When the student is caught, he/she will probably claim that he/she only wanted some guidance, not the solution, and that the "freelancer" misinterpreted his/her wishes. To ensure that you cannot be accused of inciting misconduct, it is important that the written evidence (electronic-mail correspondence is admissible as evidence in a court of law) demonstrates beyond doubt that, after having made a good faith effort to assist the student to an extent that would not constitute cheating, the student insisted, on his/her own initiative, upon having the complete solution.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.
















            • 1





              What would OP gain from failing the student, other than the right to brag in future classes? For the student on the other hand, failing or being removed from the class could have way more severe negative consequences.

              – Jonas Schwarz
              7 hours ago











            • And you take their money. Don't neglect that part.

              – Buffy
              6 hours ago














            0












            0








            0







            As long as it is completely unambiguous that the student intends to cheat, I do not think it would be unethical to "entrap" them. The important principle is that, in your capacity as the "freelancer" providing the "flagged solution", you do not at any point encourage or incite the student to cheat.



            When the student is caught, he/she will probably claim that he/she only wanted some guidance, not the solution, and that the "freelancer" misinterpreted his/her wishes. To ensure that you cannot be accused of inciting misconduct, it is important that the written evidence (electronic-mail correspondence is admissible as evidence in a court of law) demonstrates beyond doubt that, after having made a good faith effort to assist the student to an extent that would not constitute cheating, the student insisted, on his/her own initiative, upon having the complete solution.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.










            As long as it is completely unambiguous that the student intends to cheat, I do not think it would be unethical to "entrap" them. The important principle is that, in your capacity as the "freelancer" providing the "flagged solution", you do not at any point encourage or incite the student to cheat.



            When the student is caught, he/she will probably claim that he/she only wanted some guidance, not the solution, and that the "freelancer" misinterpreted his/her wishes. To ensure that you cannot be accused of inciting misconduct, it is important that the written evidence (electronic-mail correspondence is admissible as evidence in a court of law) demonstrates beyond doubt that, after having made a good faith effort to assist the student to an extent that would not constitute cheating, the student insisted, on his/her own initiative, upon having the complete solution.







            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer






            New contributor




            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            answered 7 hours ago









            anonanon

            1




            1




            New contributor




            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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            New contributor





            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.






            anon is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.








            • 1





              What would OP gain from failing the student, other than the right to brag in future classes? For the student on the other hand, failing or being removed from the class could have way more severe negative consequences.

              – Jonas Schwarz
              7 hours ago











            • And you take their money. Don't neglect that part.

              – Buffy
              6 hours ago














            • 1





              What would OP gain from failing the student, other than the right to brag in future classes? For the student on the other hand, failing or being removed from the class could have way more severe negative consequences.

              – Jonas Schwarz
              7 hours ago











            • And you take their money. Don't neglect that part.

              – Buffy
              6 hours ago








            1




            1





            What would OP gain from failing the student, other than the right to brag in future classes? For the student on the other hand, failing or being removed from the class could have way more severe negative consequences.

            – Jonas Schwarz
            7 hours ago





            What would OP gain from failing the student, other than the right to brag in future classes? For the student on the other hand, failing or being removed from the class could have way more severe negative consequences.

            – Jonas Schwarz
            7 hours ago













            And you take their money. Don't neglect that part.

            – Buffy
            6 hours ago





            And you take their money. Don't neglect that part.

            – Buffy
            6 hours ago











            -2














            I think that the legality of doing this would be in question in a lot of places. I doubt that the police could do a similar thing (in the US) without first obtaining a court order, for example.



            I think the ethics of it might also be questionable, but I think a discussion with an ethicist might be in order. The reason for the requirement for a court order, by the way, is to get an independent, non interested, opinion as to the propriety, as well as the legality.



            You made the right decision IMO to avoid doing this and to be cautious about it.



            However, if students are informed specifically or generally that such sites are monitored it might at least cut down on the practice. Of course it would be more useful if such assignments could be marked on those sites when they appear.



            Ultimately, of course, while we want to "catch a thief" it is better all around if we can prevent the theft in the first place.





            Based on the comments here let me add that I haven't claimed that the activity is definitely illegal anywhere, only that it might be. Moreover, my suggestions to avoid this action is to save people from potential grief that they might suffer by taking an action that "seems fair, but is foul". I try not to recommend risky behavior and generally caution people against it. Your desires may differ, of course.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 3





              What would be illegal?

              – Azor Ahai
              12 hours ago






            • 5





              Hard to see how this is fraud or at all questionably legal. One isn't getting money for the solution. And I'm not sure why you think that police would need a court order to do something similar. There are a lot of misconceptions about entrapment but the actual circumstances where it legally constitutes entrapment are extremely narrow en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#United_States .

              – JoshuaZ
              11 hours ago






            • 2





              To me the idea that this might be illegal looks quite far-fetched. "I doubt the police could do a similar thing..." The police only investigate things that are potentially illegal, and cheating on your homework is not illegal.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago






            • 3





              @Buffy I'm getting the sense you're speculating about fraud. I don't know much about what defines fraud, so I asked you. When you have an actual legal explanation of what would be illegal, please share it with us.

              – Azor Ahai
              11 hours ago






            • 4





              Things are not legal or illegal by analogy. Speculating that the legality of an action "would be in question in a lot of places" without any justification or legal expertise is, in my opinion, unhelpful.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago
















            -2














            I think that the legality of doing this would be in question in a lot of places. I doubt that the police could do a similar thing (in the US) without first obtaining a court order, for example.



            I think the ethics of it might also be questionable, but I think a discussion with an ethicist might be in order. The reason for the requirement for a court order, by the way, is to get an independent, non interested, opinion as to the propriety, as well as the legality.



            You made the right decision IMO to avoid doing this and to be cautious about it.



            However, if students are informed specifically or generally that such sites are monitored it might at least cut down on the practice. Of course it would be more useful if such assignments could be marked on those sites when they appear.



            Ultimately, of course, while we want to "catch a thief" it is better all around if we can prevent the theft in the first place.





            Based on the comments here let me add that I haven't claimed that the activity is definitely illegal anywhere, only that it might be. Moreover, my suggestions to avoid this action is to save people from potential grief that they might suffer by taking an action that "seems fair, but is foul". I try not to recommend risky behavior and generally caution people against it. Your desires may differ, of course.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 3





              What would be illegal?

              – Azor Ahai
              12 hours ago






            • 5





              Hard to see how this is fraud or at all questionably legal. One isn't getting money for the solution. And I'm not sure why you think that police would need a court order to do something similar. There are a lot of misconceptions about entrapment but the actual circumstances where it legally constitutes entrapment are extremely narrow en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#United_States .

              – JoshuaZ
              11 hours ago






            • 2





              To me the idea that this might be illegal looks quite far-fetched. "I doubt the police could do a similar thing..." The police only investigate things that are potentially illegal, and cheating on your homework is not illegal.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago






            • 3





              @Buffy I'm getting the sense you're speculating about fraud. I don't know much about what defines fraud, so I asked you. When you have an actual legal explanation of what would be illegal, please share it with us.

              – Azor Ahai
              11 hours ago






            • 4





              Things are not legal or illegal by analogy. Speculating that the legality of an action "would be in question in a lot of places" without any justification or legal expertise is, in my opinion, unhelpful.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago














            -2












            -2








            -2







            I think that the legality of doing this would be in question in a lot of places. I doubt that the police could do a similar thing (in the US) without first obtaining a court order, for example.



            I think the ethics of it might also be questionable, but I think a discussion with an ethicist might be in order. The reason for the requirement for a court order, by the way, is to get an independent, non interested, opinion as to the propriety, as well as the legality.



            You made the right decision IMO to avoid doing this and to be cautious about it.



            However, if students are informed specifically or generally that such sites are monitored it might at least cut down on the practice. Of course it would be more useful if such assignments could be marked on those sites when they appear.



            Ultimately, of course, while we want to "catch a thief" it is better all around if we can prevent the theft in the first place.





            Based on the comments here let me add that I haven't claimed that the activity is definitely illegal anywhere, only that it might be. Moreover, my suggestions to avoid this action is to save people from potential grief that they might suffer by taking an action that "seems fair, but is foul". I try not to recommend risky behavior and generally caution people against it. Your desires may differ, of course.






            share|improve this answer















            I think that the legality of doing this would be in question in a lot of places. I doubt that the police could do a similar thing (in the US) without first obtaining a court order, for example.



            I think the ethics of it might also be questionable, but I think a discussion with an ethicist might be in order. The reason for the requirement for a court order, by the way, is to get an independent, non interested, opinion as to the propriety, as well as the legality.



            You made the right decision IMO to avoid doing this and to be cautious about it.



            However, if students are informed specifically or generally that such sites are monitored it might at least cut down on the practice. Of course it would be more useful if such assignments could be marked on those sites when they appear.



            Ultimately, of course, while we want to "catch a thief" it is better all around if we can prevent the theft in the first place.





            Based on the comments here let me add that I haven't claimed that the activity is definitely illegal anywhere, only that it might be. Moreover, my suggestions to avoid this action is to save people from potential grief that they might suffer by taking an action that "seems fair, but is foul". I try not to recommend risky behavior and generally caution people against it. Your desires may differ, of course.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 9 hours ago

























            answered 13 hours ago









            BuffyBuffy

            43.1k11139220




            43.1k11139220








            • 3





              What would be illegal?

              – Azor Ahai
              12 hours ago






            • 5





              Hard to see how this is fraud or at all questionably legal. One isn't getting money for the solution. And I'm not sure why you think that police would need a court order to do something similar. There are a lot of misconceptions about entrapment but the actual circumstances where it legally constitutes entrapment are extremely narrow en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#United_States .

              – JoshuaZ
              11 hours ago






            • 2





              To me the idea that this might be illegal looks quite far-fetched. "I doubt the police could do a similar thing..." The police only investigate things that are potentially illegal, and cheating on your homework is not illegal.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago






            • 3





              @Buffy I'm getting the sense you're speculating about fraud. I don't know much about what defines fraud, so I asked you. When you have an actual legal explanation of what would be illegal, please share it with us.

              – Azor Ahai
              11 hours ago






            • 4





              Things are not legal or illegal by analogy. Speculating that the legality of an action "would be in question in a lot of places" without any justification or legal expertise is, in my opinion, unhelpful.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago














            • 3





              What would be illegal?

              – Azor Ahai
              12 hours ago






            • 5





              Hard to see how this is fraud or at all questionably legal. One isn't getting money for the solution. And I'm not sure why you think that police would need a court order to do something similar. There are a lot of misconceptions about entrapment but the actual circumstances where it legally constitutes entrapment are extremely narrow en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#United_States .

              – JoshuaZ
              11 hours ago






            • 2





              To me the idea that this might be illegal looks quite far-fetched. "I doubt the police could do a similar thing..." The police only investigate things that are potentially illegal, and cheating on your homework is not illegal.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago






            • 3





              @Buffy I'm getting the sense you're speculating about fraud. I don't know much about what defines fraud, so I asked you. When you have an actual legal explanation of what would be illegal, please share it with us.

              – Azor Ahai
              11 hours ago






            • 4





              Things are not legal or illegal by analogy. Speculating that the legality of an action "would be in question in a lot of places" without any justification or legal expertise is, in my opinion, unhelpful.

              – Pete L. Clark
              11 hours ago








            3




            3





            What would be illegal?

            – Azor Ahai
            12 hours ago





            What would be illegal?

            – Azor Ahai
            12 hours ago




            5




            5





            Hard to see how this is fraud or at all questionably legal. One isn't getting money for the solution. And I'm not sure why you think that police would need a court order to do something similar. There are a lot of misconceptions about entrapment but the actual circumstances where it legally constitutes entrapment are extremely narrow en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#United_States .

            – JoshuaZ
            11 hours ago





            Hard to see how this is fraud or at all questionably legal. One isn't getting money for the solution. And I'm not sure why you think that police would need a court order to do something similar. There are a lot of misconceptions about entrapment but the actual circumstances where it legally constitutes entrapment are extremely narrow en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment#United_States .

            – JoshuaZ
            11 hours ago




            2




            2





            To me the idea that this might be illegal looks quite far-fetched. "I doubt the police could do a similar thing..." The police only investigate things that are potentially illegal, and cheating on your homework is not illegal.

            – Pete L. Clark
            11 hours ago





            To me the idea that this might be illegal looks quite far-fetched. "I doubt the police could do a similar thing..." The police only investigate things that are potentially illegal, and cheating on your homework is not illegal.

            – Pete L. Clark
            11 hours ago




            3




            3





            @Buffy I'm getting the sense you're speculating about fraud. I don't know much about what defines fraud, so I asked you. When you have an actual legal explanation of what would be illegal, please share it with us.

            – Azor Ahai
            11 hours ago





            @Buffy I'm getting the sense you're speculating about fraud. I don't know much about what defines fraud, so I asked you. When you have an actual legal explanation of what would be illegal, please share it with us.

            – Azor Ahai
            11 hours ago




            4




            4





            Things are not legal or illegal by analogy. Speculating that the legality of an action "would be in question in a lot of places" without any justification or legal expertise is, in my opinion, unhelpful.

            – Pete L. Clark
            11 hours ago





            Things are not legal or illegal by analogy. Speculating that the legality of an action "would be in question in a lot of places" without any justification or legal expertise is, in my opinion, unhelpful.

            – Pete L. Clark
            11 hours ago










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