buy a coursework paper online

buy a coursework paper online

Exploring the Ethical Implications of Buying Coursework Papers Online

1. Introduction to the Phenomenon of Buying Coursework Papers Online

Coursework papers are of great importance to any student embarking on their higher studies. Not only can they contribute a significant number of marks to a student’s overall score, but they can also provide insight into preparedness for exams. Regardless of the significance of such an activity, recent years have seen an increase in the prevalence of students buying coursework or essays online to be submitted as their own work.

A recent study in the Higher Education and Research Development society has found that 14.5% of students in Australia admitted to buying their coursework while 38% committed an act of academic dishonesty. Cheating on coursework assignments is, to some, the norm and continues to present external examiners in higher education with a significant challenge when it comes to assessment, as well as promoting the type of behavior that is totally unacceptable ethically.

When buying coursework papers online, the purchase process can be broken down into two transaction stages. The first transaction occurs during the time a student is deeply considering making a purchase. During this transaction, a student may seek additional information or just want to know if the website is legit. This transaction, once completed, will then trigger the second transaction, which is the actual purchase. Once the student accepts the terms and conditions and actually buys the coursework, this limits the practitioner’s ability to detect and prevent transaction one, the very initial stages of a student considering buying coursework, while also pausing other activities to fully commit to the purchase of the coursework.

2. Ethical Considerations and Academic Integrity

Contemporary education systems, especially in higher education, uphold principles related to ethics and academic integrity. This fact has elicited numerous discussions regarding the ethics of certain activities that, even though illegal, are profitable. The most important activities revolve around the production and sale of papers, the results of which are sold globally. Ethical considerations of these practices and reflections on the part of the beneficiaries, the academic community, could represent a launching point for discussions along the lines of the axiom “caveat emptor” (let the buyer beware). More vantage points could be considered; for instance, a focus on the academic community and the services provided.

From a legal perspective, it is more significant that punters who have practiced bid shopping have been fined. As the ethical parameters that guide decision-making processes are institutionalized and could help to keep society functioning properly, taking an ethical stance could show the gravity of these practices—students with these drafts and professionals could face greater consequences than just fines. Therefore, it is important to discuss practices and not the consumer as a criminal, but as the individual who, himself being part of the academic community (student, future graduate, or professional association), has an ethical responsibility to maintain and uphold certain deontological values. Academic institutions have the power to create such a narrative; students, teachers, and researchers must each have a position in relation to these controversial practices.

3. Impact on Educational Institutions and Students

When students purchase custom coursework papers online, this practice results in different kinds of effects. On the one hand, educational institutions must face challenges as it involves teaching, learning, and staff resources, posing threats to the value of educational standards, staff job satisfaction, and course fees. It may also lead to negative consequences for these academic institutions, as it violates fundamental academic principles and affects the reputation of individual qualifications and suppliers of qualifications. On the other hand, students’ learning may also be influenced. It facilitates the production of output that does not reflect academic performance and violates students’ academic integrity. Critics argue that it is direct plagiarism because such custom papers are capable of being turned in.

For educational institutions, there is evidence that completing courses by cheating is harming the integrity and genuine value of academic qualifications and the effectiveness of learning. The terms ‘coursework,’ ‘custom papers,’ and ‘courseworks in progress’ mean coursework or an assignment that is custom-written. These terms blur the distinction between students producing work themselves, with tutor guidance, and work not based on their learning course materials. Additionally, free and easily plagiarized custom papers present difficulties for educators. Students learn how to find and use paid custom paper sites, but few are aware of free custom paper sites. As free custom papers are published and not 100% original, they may be plagiarized. Custom paper providers may even have no real connection with any individual or institution, relying on anonymous intermediaries in third countries.

4. Regulatory Frameworks and Strategies for Addressing the Issue

Regulatory Frameworks

In this section, we consider current regulatory frameworks designed to address or prevent the issue; the effectiveness of these; and best practice to prevent, address and manage these issues in the future. Academic dishonesty in its various forms has been consumed both by the academic community, professional bodies and legislators and regulatory agencies in the workplace.

Prevention of the sale of assignments and coursework: – Contract and Commercial Law: The legal view to the problem is that the offering for sale or selling of university assignments breaches contract law. – Offences: It is a criminal offence under the Fraud Act 2006 to make a false representation, to fail to disclose information, or to abuse property; and it is an offence under the act to possess, produce or supply articles for use in fraud. – Misrepresentation: The consumer law requirement from the Competition and Markets Authority enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority is that providers should not falsely make claims about what they are selling. There is also the requirement that the price of items should be transparent. – Duty to the Customer: Part of a service provider’s commitment to customers is to ensure that the service is fit for purpose, among other requirements.

5. Conclusion: Promoting Academic Integrity in the Digital Age

Online platforms for buying coursework papers are now prevalent and growing, posing ethical concerns with the potential of transforming academics. Based on research evidence and from harm and virtue ethics perspectives, we argue that policymakers, universities, staff, and students should contemplate not only freedom, security, and economic concerns, but also the ethical imperative of propagating a culture of academic integrity. There is potential for partnership between universities and paper mills to promote ethical action with vigilance to avoid conflicts of interest and to ensure systems are in place to educate students about the dangers and guard against over-emphasis on law enforcement.

Many more traditional forms of essay buying (e.g., copying in exams) and less overt forms of plagiarism and cheating are also pervasive. Our approach can be extended to these forms of malpractice while also acknowledging the systemic issues of some programs being based on purchasing essays or of encouraging over-competitive environments leading to negative academic behaviors. Law enforcement will always be required as a necessary, but not sufficient, component of combating malpractice in universities. The critical argument we make in this paper is for an additional translational approach, involving partnership between HEIs and these business entities which desire to keep as a side-product, a culture of academic integrity. Identifying ‘good business’ is not simply an acceptance of the pragmatic, but also the right thing to do, a digital-aged application of virtue ethics where the right goods and right reasons are pursued.