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**Erin** · 03-06-2008, 09:45 PM

I've just posted this in the original post:

Well the Econ forum has brought me loads of fun for the last couple of days.

Here are my thoughts on the issues raised:

We currently do not have a policy about 'cheating' on exams and homework. I've seen other 'homework help' forums that do have strict rules in place; for example, some boards I've seen say quite plainly that the forum exists to help with, but not to do the homework. But again, we don't have any sort of policy in place simply because it hasn't happened enough.
Cheating is not illegal. This is not to say that it's ethical (nor is it to say that it's unethical); truth be told, I think it's best to refrain from making blanket judgments of people in general, but very specifically on the internet since very little evidence of veracity of the post or of the intentions of the post can ever be presented. We do have policies in place for certain other activities or postings that aren't illegal, but for cheating, we do not.
Members may express their opinions about the issues, but may not attack the person. At this point, since I don't think we yet need a policy on this situation, and this very well may change in the future if this becomes a bigger problem, I would ask that people do what their conscience allows them to do. But, and this is very important, if you disagree with the ethics of posting questions on this forum to get help and wish to voice your opinion, you may do so without impugning the character of the person. Again--do NOT attack the people; instead, address the issue. For example, you're quite welcome to voice your opinion that you cannot in good conscience provide help, but that you would be willing to help the OP understand some basic concepts. (Please see asianeconomist's post (Help on a Macroeconomics Test) with a reply that I believe is both tactful and reasonable: # (Help on a Macroeconomics Test)16) Please refer to this post for more of my thoughts on this point: Issues, not individuals--no libel or slander, please
Moderators are allowed to visit and moderate forums for which they are not designated as moderators. Come on, you have to admit--the issues raised in this forum are hardly specific to economics; this sort of post could have appeared anywhere in the forum.
Moderators are volunteers. They are also very much needed here. They're human. I think the moderators overall do an excellent job and have received private comments to this effect. (Thank you!) Moderating is certainly not an easy job, and it's often a thankless one.

If you have any concerns, please post them in the feedback forum. As long as the discussion there remains civil, I'm welcome to explain things the way I see them.

03-06-2008, 09:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Erin So many things to do... Forum Admin Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: USA Posts: 8,236	I've just posted this in the original post: Well the Econ forum has brought me loads of fun for the last couple of days. Here are my thoughts on the issues raised: We currently do not have a policy about 'cheating' on exams and homework. I've seen other 'homework help' forums that do have strict rules in place; for example, some boards I've seen say quite plainly that the forum exists to help with, but not to do the homework. But again, we don't have any sort of policy in place simply because it hasn't happened enough. Cheating is not illegal. This is not to say that it's ethical (nor is it to say that it's unethical); truth be told, I think it's best to refrain from making blanket judgments of people in general, but very specifically on the internet since very little evidence of veracity of the post or of the intentions of the post can ever be presented. We do have policies in place for certain other activities or postings that aren't illegal, but for cheating, we do not. Members may express their opinions about the issues, but may not attack the person. At this point, since I don't think we yet need a policy on this situation, and this very well may change in the future if this becomes a bigger problem, I would ask that people do what their conscience allows them to do. But, and this is very important, if you disagree with the ethics of posting questions on this forum to get help and wish to voice your opinion, you may do so without impugning the character of the person. Again--do NOT attack the people; instead, address the issue. For example, you're quite welcome to voice your opinion that you cannot in good conscience provide help, but that you would be willing to help the OP understand some basic concepts. (Please see asianeconomist's post (Help on a Macroeconomics Test) with a reply that I believe is both tactful and reasonable: # (Help on a Macroeconomics Test)16) Please refer to this post for more of my thoughts on this point: Issues, not individuals--no libel or slander, please Moderators are allowed to visit and moderate forums for which they are not designated as moderators. Come on, you have to admit--the issues raised in this forum are hardly specific to economics; this sort of post could have appeared anywhere in the forum. Moderators are volunteers. They are also very much needed here. They're human. I think the moderators overall do an excellent job and have received private comments to this effect. (Thank you!) Moderating is certainly not an easy job, and it's often a thankless one. If you have any concerns, please post them in the feedback forum. As long as the discussion there remains civil, I'm welcome to explain things the way I see them. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ [Say 'hi'!] [Google Interviews Erin] [San Francisco Chronicle Interviews Erin]