Where do we draw the line between suspicion and evidence of cheating on an exam?
For example, on an online timed essay exam, in a student's essay, 99% of the sentences are identical to sentences found in an online essay (not written by the student). That's evidence of cheating, and warrants consequences, right? What if it's, say, 12%? That's (highly) suspicious, and does not warrant consequences, right? Where do we draw the line between suspicion, and evidence, of cheating?
I know there are academic honesty committees that are designated to deal with this question: so where do they draw the line?
I am looking for an answer that is:
- justifiable
- as non-subjective as possible
- practical
This is a follow-up to Is it fair to have follow-up interviews after a test following suspicions of cheating?.