Center Analyst Alerts Grand Rapids Press to Possible Plagiarism in MSU Study on Which it Reported

The Grand Rapids Press is reporting that a Mackinac Center analyst has raised concerns about potential plagiarism in a Michigan State University professor's study about school consolidation.

The study "was commissioned by The Press and seven affiliated newspapers to examine whether countywide school consolidation or sharing of administrative services could bring savings to Michigan taxpayers," The Press reported.

Concerns about the study arose when Mike Van Beek, director of education policy, began to examine it closely.

"We were made aware of the Mackinac Center's concerns (Wednesday)," Press Editor Paul M. Keep said in his paper's story about the issue. "Dr. Shakrani is reviewing the material called into question, as are we."

Michigan Capitol Confidential interviewed Sharif Shakrani, the author of the report.

AnnArbor.com, which also ran a story about the MSU study, has added the following editor's note to the original report: Editor's note: The Mackinac Center, a think tank based in Midland, has issued a press release saying that the MSU study this report was based on appears to contains several paragraphs of background information that was plagiarized from other sources. The claim is being examined. AnnArbor.com also posted the story from The Grand Rapids Press.

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