Ethics in Academic Work Wilfrid Laurier University Student to Student

Introduction The presenters... The purpose… Agenda 1)Cheating – what it is 2)Detection 3)Consequence 4)Importance of academic integrity

CHEATING

Discussion What are your personal experiences with cheating? (Not expecting confessionals) How did you react to cheating in your high school?

Academic misconduct “Academic misconduct is an act by a student, or by students … which may result in a false evaluation of the student(s), or which represents an attempt to unfairly gain an academic advantage … Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of academic misconduct.” Source: WLU Undergraduate Academic Calendar

Types of cheating Plagiarism – “...the unacknowledged presentation...of the work of others as one’s own...” Cheating – “...involves using, giving, receiving, unauthorized information...” Impersonating another student S e.g., using another student’s clicker

Types of cheating Submitting the same piece of work – “...for more than one course without permission..” Falsifying, misrepresenting, forging – “anything including academic record or supporting documents” Buying academic work Unauthorized collaboration

Get help, ask questions Your professor / teaching assistant University Calendars ( Learning Services ( Library ( Counselling Services ( Academic Integrity Website (

DETECTION

Discussion How did teachers catch students in high school? Did students ‘tell’ on one another?

Detection - technology Turnitin.com – Compares your paper to: other student papers submitted (over 40 million) Internet websites (over 12 billion) Major newspapers/magazines/journals (over 10,000) Facebook groups Google searches Source: Turnitin.com

Detection - instructors Professors and teaching assistants can spot plagiarism by comparing your work to: – Previous assignments that you have submitted – Assignments that your classmates have submitted – Itself (e.g,. consistency of style within a single assignment)

CONSEQUENCES

Discussion What did your previous school do to deal with cheaters?

Consequences At Laurier there are three levels of action depending on severity: 1) Instructor/relevant administrator (e.g., Chair, Program Co-ordinator, Associate Dean, Dean, or designate) 2) Dean of faculty 3) VP: Academic or President Throughout process, students are given the option to defend themselves and appeal the decisions made

Consequences Offences are divided into: Minor offences have less severe consequences Major offences have very significant and severe consequences

Consequences for first-time offences MinorMajor PlagiarismLoss of gradesZero in course and notation on transcript Cheating/copying Unauthorized collaboration ImpersonationZero on course workSuspension and notation on transcript FalsificationZero in course and notation on transcript Suspension and notation on transcript

Consequences for first-time offences MinorMajor Preventing accessOfficial warning in Central Registry Zero in course and notation on transcript Obstruction or interferenceZero on course work and notation on transcript Suspension and notation on transcript Improper accessSuspension and notation on transcript Improper dissemination Unauthorized aidsZero on course work and notation on transcript Zero in course and notation on transcript

Consequences for subsequent offences A record is established after first offence, and may remain on student’s transcript for 1-3 years following offence Consequences for subsequent offences are more severe

Get help, ask questions Your professor / teaching assistant University Calendars ( Learning Services ( Library ( Counselling Services ( Academic Integrity website (

IMPORTANCE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity Integrity is defined as: "moral uprightness; honesty...unimpaired or uncorrupted..." – Canadian Oxford Dictionary (2004) The expectations placed on students at Laurier include honesty and integrity in both their academics and behaviour on and off campus.

Who does cheating harm? The following groups of people are all affected by academic misconduct: – The university – Your classmates – YOU!

The university Damages the institution’s reputation and credibility Increases administrative and faculty workload Devalues degrees Bad press means: – More difficult to attract outstanding faculty / students – More difficult to raise money for the institution

Headlines… University uncovers plagiarism bombshell Simon Fraser wants to give failing grades to 47 copycats (National Post, January 7, 2002 p. A1) Cheating scandal shocks university (The Record, January 7, 2002, p. D9)

Your classmates Faculty resort to cheat-proof evaluation methods instead of what’s best for learning Questions about value of degree Perception that the playing field is not level Places classmates in a difficult or awkward situation Source: “Surviving with Integrity”” Presentation, Mark Baetz,

You No learning Penalties up to and including expulsion from the university Career difficulties (incidents of academic misconduct are noted on your transcript!) Stigmatization, ostracism Embarrassment, lowered self-concept Stress

Get help, ask questions Your professor / teaching assistant University Calendars ( Learning Services ( Library ( Counselling Services ( Academic Integrity Website (