Ghostwriter in the university
Wan Ulfa Nur Zuhra made this Freedom of Information request to London School of Economics This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.
Dear London School of Economics,
This request is under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:
1. Please inform me of the number of disciplinary actions taken against students resulting in a fine and/or expulsion in the last five academic years, the reasons for such action being taken, and the results of any appeal.
2. In those academic years (2013 to 2017), How many of those are the case where a ghostwriter involve? (for ex: assignment or dissertation were written by somebody else)
3. How to find out that ghostwriter involvement since many ghostwriter organisations offer the plagiarism checking?
4. Is there any case where your staff involved in that unfair practice, being a ghostwriter for the student?
I would request this data in either Excel or CSV format or searchable PDF.
If you feel the information that I have requested cannot be compiled within a reasonable time frame, I would appreciate if you at least can answer my first question.
If you need any clarification then please contact me via email. Under your section 16 duty to provide advice and assistance, I would expect you contact me if you find this request unmanageable in any way.
Yours faithfully,
Wan Ulfa Nur Zuhra
Dear London School of Economics,
On 4 March, I sent a request under the Freedom of Information and I haven't got any answer until now. May I know why? Because by law, under all circumstances, the authority should have responded no longer than 20 working days.
Yours faithfully,
Wan Ulfa Nur Zuhra
Dear Wan,
Apologies, we are aware your request is overdue and are processing it. The staff member who would normally have dealt with your request was on leave during most of April. I will chase them again and hopefully we can get your response to you by the end of this week.
Regards,
Rachael Maguire
Records Manager
London School of Economics
Dear Wan,
With reference to your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act, please find attached the information you requested. I apologise for the late response and hope this has not inconvenienced you.
1. Please inform me of the number of disciplinary actions taken against students resulting in a fine and/or expulsion in the last five academic years, the reasons for such action being taken, and the results of any appeal.
A. 3 students have been expelled in the last five years as a result of being found to have committed Plagiarism. They had the right of appeal but this did not change the decision.
1 student has been expelled in the last five years as a result of being found to have committed assessment misconduct in a timed, unseen exam. They did not appeal the decision.
2. In those academic years (2013 to 2017), How many of those are the case where a ghostwriter involve? (for ex: assignment or dissertation were written by somebody else) A. None
3. How to find out that ghostwriter involvement since many ghostwriter organisations offer the plagiarism checking?
A. Not sure this answer is applicable under FOI? Investigations are carried out on a case by case basis by Departments
4. Is there any case where your staff involved in that unfair practice, being a ghostwriter for the student?
A. No
If you think that the information provided does not meet your request, contact me on 020 7849 4622 or write to Louise Nadal, School Secretary, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE. We will then review the response to your request and get back to you within 20 working days. You can also contact the Information Commissioner's Office http://www.ico.gov.uk/, though they expect the internal review to be carried out before receiving a complaint directly.
The provision of information by the LSE under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not imply a right to copy, reproduce publish or otherwise use such information.
Copying or reproducing such information in any way either in whole or in part without prior written consent may be an infringement of copyright or other intellectual property right belonging to the LSE or a third party.
Yours sincerely,
Rachael Maguire
Records Manager
London School of Economics
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