A Brief on Rules of Academic Integrity
(A) Preface
The university is an institution of learning and research based on the existence of an environment of honesty, ethics and integrity. Instructors, students, and administrative officials share responsibility for maintaining this environment. Cheating, dishonest conduct, plagiarism, forgery, and collusion in dishonest activities erode the university's educational and research roles. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
(B) Definitions
Academic dishonesty: includes plagiarism as well as any deliberate attempt to gain advantage. Dishonest practices include activities such as plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication of data and the like.
Plagiarism: is representing the work (in whole or in part) of someone else as your own. Most commonly this occurs by copying from a textbook or other source and failing to give proper credit to the author. Students may avoid this problem by always using quotation marks whenever they use someone else's exact words and by always giving references whenever they quote from or paraphrase another author. Students are encouraged to consult instructors in different academic fields regarding procedures and use of materials if in doubt about how they may relate to academic dishonesty.
Cheating: if a student gives or receives unauthorized aid while completing any of the requirements for a course or during an examination, he/she has cheated.
Collusion: occurs when any student knowingly or intentionally helps another student perform any of the above acts of cheating or plagiarism.
Fabrication: is falsifying or inventing any information, data or citation; presenting data that were not gathered in accordance with standard guidelines defining the appropriate methods for collecting or generating data and failing to include an accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.
(C) Examples
The following are some examples of academic dishonesty. Since it is not feasible to mention every act of academic dishonesty or plagiarism, the following examples should be considered only as a guide.
a) Examinations:
a. Impersonating someone in an examination, i.e., taking an examination for another student or having someone take an examination for oneself.
b. Copying from another student, or making information available to another student.
c. Using unauthorized materials, prepared answers, written notes or information concealed in an answer book or elsewhere during an examination.
d. Failing to obey or comply with examination regulations or instructions of a proctor.
e. Intentionally disrupting the examination in any manner, such as talking with nearby students or refusing to abide to instructions of a proctor.
f. Arranging to give or receive answers by use of signals during an exam.
g. Stealing or attempting to steal an examination or answer key from the instructor or gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor.
h. Retaining, using or circulating previously given examination materials, where those materials clearly indicate that they are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination.
2- Assignments and Papers:
a. Copying an assignment or essay—in whole or in part—or knowingly allowing one's essay or assignment to be copied by someone else for the purpose of plagiarism.
b. Preparing an essay or assignment for submission by another student.
c. Sharing answers for an assignment unless specifically authorized by the instructor.
d. Using direct quotations, or large sections of paraphrased material without acknowledgement.
e. Buying or selling of assignments or papers and submitting them as one's own for the purpose of plagiarism.
f. Stealing class assignments and submitting them as one's own, particularly computer programs.
g. Unauthorized collaborating on an academic assignment.
h. Submitting the same piece of work in more than one course without consulting all instructors involved.
i. Fabricating data.
3- Other Dishonest Conduct:
a. Stealing, destroying, defacing or concealing library materials with the purpose of depriving others of their use.
b. Unauthorized Access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems. Changing or attempting to change academic records without proper sanction.
c. Forging (add/drop/change) cards and other enrollment documents, or altering such documents after signatures have been obtained.
d. Intentionally disrupting the educational process in any manner.
(D) Responsibilities
The instructor and students have a responsibility to ensure that academic honesty is maintained.
1- Instructors have responsibility for:
a. Upholding and enforcing university rules of academic honesty and integrity and explaining clearly these rules in the course syllabi and classes they are teaching. A class discussion concerning plagiarism may help alleviate the problem.
b. Minimizing opportunities for academic misconduct in their courses.
c. Confronting students suspected of academic dishonesty in a way that respects student privacy.
d. Affording students accused of academic misconduct the right to appeal any resulting disputes to disinterested parties for hearing and resolution.
e. Assigning an appropriate grade to a student who engages in academic dishonesty.
f. Reporting all instances of academic dishonesty to appropriate administrative department.
g. Protecting the anonymity of any student reporting an incident of academic dishonesty.
2- Students have responsibility for:
a. Refraining from cheating and plagiarism.
b. Refusing to aid or abet any form of academic dishonesty.
c. Notifying professors and/or appropriate administrative officials about observed incidents of academic misconduct. The anonymity of a student reporting an incident of academic dishonesty will be protected.
Copyright 2007-2010© Abdel-Fattah Mady. All rights reserved