Sexual harassment isn't the only scandal going on at Chinese universities –allegations of plagiarism too are increasingly being aired, especially when it comes to students writing dissertations. Now, one educator says guidelines are needed to help clear up the mess, the Guangming Daily reports.
Tutors who instruct students for their dissertations fall into two major traps, Chen Xi, a deputy professor of College of Art and Design in Changsha University, claims in an interview with the Guangming Daily. One is that they don't provide quality instruction, leading ill-informed students to plagiarize to complete their dissertations. But an opposite problem arises when tutors spend too much energy editing students’ work, from choosing their topic to the finishing touches.
Chen heaps blame on the students and what he sees as their attitude to dissertation writing. In Chinese universities the primary criteria to obtain a degree is to pass all courses – the quality of the dissertation is not a significant factor. As a result, many students put little effort into their dissertation and do the bare minimum of research to pass.
Chen says clear principles about dissertation instruction should lay out what is expected of students, what can be done with the help of teachers, and how to balance the relationship between teachers and students.
Chinese universities should look to the foreign experience of arranging meetings with tutors, with students making appointments, and doing their own reading research in the library or elsewhere in their own time. Tutors shouldn't treat their students like children, but simply offer an outline, take questions, and offer guidance.
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