These slides explore academic integrity issues relating to South East Europe, with specific reference to Montenegro. Examples are taken from the South East Europe Projects for Policies in Academic Integrity (SEEPPAI), including key challenges for the region pulled from survey and student focus group data. The slides also identify good practice towards plagiarism and academic integrity from the region.

1. Slide 1
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Policies for Academic
Integrity in Montenegro and
South East Europe
Presented by Dr. Thomas Lancaster
from Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
in Bečići, Montenegro
on Tuesday, 16 May 2017

2. Slide 2
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Introduction

3. Slide 3
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
About Dr. Thomas Lancaster
Background
Computer Science academic by background
Associate Dean at Staffordshire University, United
Kingdom (formerly Coventry University and
Birmingham City University)
Completed PhD in plagiarism detection in 2003
Have subsequently researched across the
academic integrity field, including supporting the
Council of Europe work in SE Europe
Best known for publications relating to contract
cheating (students using ghost writers to complete
their work)
Contact Information
Email:
thomas@thomaslancaster.co.uk (personal)
thomas.lancaster@staffs.ac.uk (university)
Website (and blog):
http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Twitter: @DrLancaster
Slideshare (talk archive):
https://www.slideshare.net/thomaslancaster

4. Slide 4
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Regular Media Contributor And Speaker

5. Slide 5
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Research Visit To Montenegro (November 2016)
Plagiarism and
contract cheating
workshop at
University of
Montenegro
(Centre for
Doctoral Studies)

6. Slide 6
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Areas For Consideration
What is the current state of academic integrity in South
East Europe?
What good practice is happening around the region?
What are the most important challenges to address?

7. Slide 7
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Academic Integrity

8. Slide 8
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Academic Integrity – Rough Definition
(based on many standard definitions)
The set of core values and
principles that underpin the
activities of universities

9. Slide 9
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Academic Integrity Manifests Itself In…
The fairness of assessment processes
The rigour of academic research
The professional values instilled into students
The originality of student work
…and should be integral to the mission of universities

10. Slide 10
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Academic Integrity Research
Within South East Europe

11. Slide 11
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
South East European Project on Policies for
Academic Integrity (SEEPPAI)
Council of Europe (ETINED) project, examining the processes and policies in place around academic
integrity in South East Europe
Explored the attitudes to academic integrity and associated behaviours such as plagiarism
Data collected October to December 2016 – final report released April 2017
Countries involved
(1) Albania
(2) Bosnia and Herzegovina
(3) Croatia
(4) Montenegro
(5) the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(6) Serbia

12. Slide 12
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
SEEPPAI Project Team Members
Czech Republic SEEPPAI Leads
(representing Mendel University in Brno, Czech
Republic)
Support for Mendel University
team
United Kingdom SEEPPAI Leads
(representing Coventry University, United Kingdom)
Tomáš Foltýnek Ben Calhoun
(from Webster Vienna Private
University, Austria)
Irene Glendinning
Dita Dlabolova Tetyana Kapet Thomas Lancaster
(now at Staffordshire University,
United Kingdom)
Dana Linkeschova
(from Brno University of
Technology)

13. Slide 13
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Final SEEPPAI Report
http://www.plagiarism.cz/seeppai
Plagiarism Across Europe and Beyond Conference Paper
(24 - 26 May 2017, Brno, Czech Republic)
https://plagiarism.pefka.mendelu.cz
Two main
SEEPPAI
resources
released
so far
(plus slides from
presentations
and further
papers to follow)

14. Slide 14
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Data Collection
Total Number Number from Montenegro
Student Surveys 460 9
Teacher Surveys 255 11
Higher Education Management Surveys 15 0
Student Focus Groups 13 1
Interviews and Group Discussions
(Teachers, Managers, National Representatives)
24 3

15. Slide 15
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
SEEPPAI Findings

16. Slide 16
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
My institution has policies and procedures for
dealing with plagiarism
All countries Montenegro
Strongly Disagree 10.36% 0.00%
Disagree 11.55% 20.00%
Not sure 24.30% 20.00%
Agree 27.09% 30.00%
Strongly Agree 23.90% 10.00%
Not applicable 2.79% 20.00%
Teacher
responses
to survey

17. Slide 17
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
My institution has policies and procedures for when
a student uses a ghost writer or third party to
complete an assessment for them
All countries Montenegro
Strongly Disagree 6.43% 10.00%
Disagree 10.84% 30.00%
Not sure 25.30% 20.00%
Agree 27.71% 20.00%
Strongly Agree 23.29% 10.00%
Not applicable 6.43% 10.00%
Teacher
responses
to survey

18. Slide 18
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Penalties for plagiarism are administered
according to a standard formula
All countries Montenegro
Strongly Disagree 13.65% 22.22%
Disagree 9.24% 11.11%
Not sure 40.16% 33.33%
Agree 17.67% 0.00%
Strongly Agree 14.06% 11.11%
Not applicable 5.22% 22.22%
Teacher
responses
to survey

19. Slide 19
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
There should be more training for students on
avoidance of plagiarism and academic dishonesty
at my institution
All countries Montenegro
Strongly Disagree 0% 0%
Disagree 1.20% 0%
Not sure 4.00% 0%
Agree 28.80% 22.22%
Strongly Agree 58.40% 66.67%
Not applicable 7.60% 11.11%
Teacher
responses
to survey

20. Slide 20
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
There should be more training for academic
teachers on avoidance of plagiarism and academic
dishonesty at my institution
All countries Montenegro
Strongly Disagree 0.80% 0.00%
Disagree 2.01% 0.00%
Not sure 9.24% 22.22%
Agree 29.32% 33.33%
Strongly Agree 51.00% 44.44%
Not applicable 7.63% 0.00%
Teacher
responses
to survey

21. Slide 21
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
SEEPPAI Examples

22. Slide 22
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Student Comments From SEEPPAI Focus
Groups
“Some professors ignore the
option of typing a sentence into
Google. They are glad if most of
the students pass that exam.”
“Students always know
which professors will
check.”

23. Slide 23
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Student Comments From SEEPPAI Focus
Groups
“Students plagiarise because
they are not capable of writing.”
“Maybe it’s the mistake of teachers
and professors? They don’t teach
students how to write proper work.”
“They are used to cheating from primary
school. There is a problem in Montenegro.”

24. Slide 24
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Student Comments From SEEPPAI Focus
Groups
“There are a few professors
who are known for taking
money to let students pass
exams.”

25. Slide 25
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Staff Comments From SEEPPAI Discussions
Very different views depending on the level of staff within the
educational establishment
Processes and policies exist, but are not always known about
or followed
Staff most involved with teaching see more challenges
Teaching staff identify a pressure to publish academic
research, but do not have easy access to research databases

26. Slide 26
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Challenges and Action

27. Slide 27
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Key Challenges Across SE Europe
Contract cheating (ghost writing)
Examination cheating
Bribery and financial corruption
Lack of student education regarding plagiarism and academic
writing
Lack of support for teaching staff with continued professional
development

28. Slide 28
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Good Practice In SE Europe
Teaching assistants provided the opportunity to study
abroad – then bring good practice back with them
Spoken examinations used to check that students
understood their subject
Academic integrity policies developed based on those used
in partner institutions

29. Slide 29
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
SEEPPAI Conclusions
There is some good practice in every country (and there is
much more good practice included in the main report)
There is more work to do in every country
Much good practice is led by individual academics
who want to make a difference

30. Slide 30
Academic Integrity - Achievements and Future Perspectives of Montenegro
Dr. Thomas Lancaster http://thomaslancaster.co.uk
Closing Question
Why should staff and students act with
academic integrity (when others do not)?
What is their reward?