Red Tape Hot Box on Mastering the master's
Instead of submitting just their neatly bound thesis, master's candidates are now also required to present an eight-page summary of their thesis plus a two-page summary in English, in addition to a copy of their work on a CD ROM. This means more work for the soon-to-be masters, but it will no doubt help in the creation of Warsaw University's new thesis databank.
One benefit of the new system is that it might be a good step toward eradicating plagiarism, which has become a serious problem at Poland's universities and schools offering higher education. In particular, it may help curtail the burgeoning market for bachelor's and master's theses. Just type praca magisterska (Master's thesis) at any Polish Internet portal, and you'll see what I'm talking about-dozens of sites offering their services in any field of choice. Master's thesis, bachelor's thesis, mid-term or yearly projects-you name it, they'll do it for you.
Now you can buy a master's thesis for zł.2,500, which is a bargain compared to a few years ago when prices were said to be around zł.4,000. It's safe to say the price drop came from an increase in supply, as more and more graduates are willing to share their knowledge with their younger colleagues.
With the above situation in mind, the new registration system has two serious disadvantages. For the time being, the old theses are not included in it, which means they can still be easily plagiarized with a good chance that no one will notice. The second flaw is that unless all universities and schools in the country introduce such a system and a countrywide databank is created, opportunities for cheaters will continue to exist.
Not even the best databank or the strictest rules will stop some from buying (and others from selling) essays and theses. Still the basic truth is that the professor who is conferring the degree should supervise and be responsible for the progress of his/her students. The new regulations could, however, force professional thesis writers to avoid selling the same work many times. Who knows, by forcing these thesis pros to write a new thesis for every client, it might even contribute to the development of science and arts in this country!
One benefit of the new system is that it might be a good step toward eradicating plagiarism, which has become a serious problem at Poland's universities and schools offering higher education. In particular, it may help curtail the burgeoning market for bachelor's and master's theses. Just type praca magisterska (Master's thesis) at any Polish Internet portal, and you'll see what I'm talking about-dozens of sites offering their services in any field of choice. Master's thesis, bachelor's thesis, mid-term or yearly projects-you name it, they'll do it for you.
Now you can buy a master's thesis for zł.2,500, which is a bargain compared to a few years ago when prices were said to be around zł.4,000. It's safe to say the price drop came from an increase in supply, as more and more graduates are willing to share their knowledge with their younger colleagues.
With the above situation in mind, the new registration system has two serious disadvantages. For the time being, the old theses are not included in it, which means they can still be easily plagiarized with a good chance that no one will notice. The second flaw is that unless all universities and schools in the country introduce such a system and a countrywide databank is created, opportunities for cheaters will continue to exist.
Not even the best databank or the strictest rules will stop some from buying (and others from selling) essays and theses. Still the basic truth is that the professor who is conferring the degree should supervise and be responsible for the progress of his/her students. The new regulations could, however, force professional thesis writers to avoid selling the same work many times. Who knows, by forcing these thesis pros to write a new thesis for every client, it might even contribute to the development of science and arts in this country!
