Today’s journey is with Professor Stanley Self and Stanley currently serves as course lead and faculty member for several accounting courses in the MBA program. He works closely with the Curriculum Department to maintain relevance and timeliness of the accounting MBA curriculum. Today we are going to discuss Student Reactions to Discovery of Their Unoriginal Work: A Qualitative Analysis of Comparability to the 5 Stages of Grief.
Here are three key takeaways from your podcast with Stanley Self:
1. Addressing Plagiarism Through the Lens of Ethics and Practicality
Stanley emphasized the importance of framing the ethics of plagiarism in practical terms for students. By linking ethical behavior to long-term personal success—such as being employable and effective in a role—students are more likely to internalize the value of academic integrity. He argues that a degree holds no value if it’s not backed by genuine skill and knowledge.
2. The Role of AI in Academic Integrity
AI tools like ChatGPT have introduced new complexities in identifying and addressing plagiarism. Stanley highlighted the need for robust policies and tools to detect AI-generated content. He called for a proactive approach in academia to strike a balance between encouraging the ethical use of AI and combating misuse.
3. The Five Stages of Grief and the Emotional Response to Plagiarism
Stanley’s research connecting student reactions to the discovery of unoriginal work with the five stages of grief offers a unique perspective. This analysis sheds light on the emotional journey of students confronted with their academic dishonesty, reinforcing the importance of creating a supportive yet firm environment to address these behaviors.