Write fair tests. When students who were caught being dishonest were asked about their reasoning, the overwhelming response was related to the lack of "fair" tests, according to a Kettering University study. Formulate questions that involve application of concepts that the student has learned in the classroom. Cheating expert Gregory J. Cizek revealed tests requiring massive amounts of memorization encourage academic dishonesty, in the book "Cheating on Tests: How to Do it, Detect it, and Prevent It."
Organize student learning groups and become actively involved in the students' learning while in class. According to the Kettering University study, students reported they were less likely to cheat if they believed the instructor cared about their learning. The same study revealed organized student learning groups while in the classroom have also been found to encourage different learning styles and discourage dishonesty.
Ask a student to meet with you privately if you suspect dishonesty. Ask the student to summarize the work they completed. Probe the student about his references, and ask for proof of those references, if needed.
Visit any websites that may be referenced in the student's work, and plug key phrases from his report into search engines. If an item is plagiarized, you'll usually be able to find those same phrases in your search.
Follow the faculty procedures at your learning institution if you are positive the student has submitted plagiarized work.