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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: TYPES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

WHAT IS ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

 IB defines student academic misconduct as deliberate or inadvertent behaviour that has the potential to result in the student, or anyone else, gaining an unfair advantage in one or more components of assessment. Behaviour that may disadvantage another student is also regarded as academic misconduct. It also includes any act that potentially threatens the integrity of IB examinations and assessments that happens before, during or after the completion of the assessment or examination, paper-based or on-screen. 

SOURCE: The IB guide to Academic Integrity (2019)

CHEATING

Cheating is the use of aids or supports in order to secure an unfair advantage during testing or other evaluation scenarios.

 

Why Do Students Cheat?

Students are motivated to cheat when they are short on time, lack interest or are struggling to learn effectively.(paraphrased from Murdock, Burton & Anderman, 2007, p. 3)

 

Improper Behaviour in Testing Situations

Definition

Behaving in a distracting or disruptive manner, or behaving in a way that could be interpreted as cheating, even if direct evidence of cheating is not observed.

Examples
  • Talking or otherwise communicating with someone other than the Teacher, proctor or exam supervisor.
  • Making noises, such as speaking, tapping or humming.
  • Taking a photograph - even a selfie.
  • Having an electronic device (e.g. phone, tablet, watch, laptop, etc) within reach when none are allowed.
  • Sharing tools with another student (e.g. pencils, pens, erasers, calculators).
  • Refusing to follow a direction from the teacher, proctor or exam supervisor.

Definition

Using aids, assistance or other sources of support that have not been authorized by the instructor in a testing situation or in the completion of work.

Examples

  • Communicating with someone other than the professor, proctor or exam supervisor during a test or exam.
  • Using unauthorized material or aids (e.g. cheat-sheets) during an exam.
  • Copying answers from another student during a test or exam.
  • Accepting answers given from another student during a test or exam, including online exams.
  • Using a phone or other device during a test or exam.
  • Using unauthorized material, aids or software during the preparation of an assignment.

Definition

Paying a person or company to complete academic work (e.g., assignment, exam, paper, etc.)

Examples

  • Buying an essay or an assignment from a website, editor or tutor and submitting it as one's own work.
  • Paying or providing services to another student to take an exam or complete an assignment.
  • Purchasing or obtaining editing services that make substantial changes to an assignment to the point that it no longer represents the individual student’s own capabilities. 

Improper Online, TeleWeb, and Blended Course Use

Improper online, teleweb, and blended course use includes:

  1. Accepting or providing outside help on online assignments or tests.
  2. Obtaining test materials or questions before the test is administered.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR

Disruptive behavior is any behavior that interfers with the teaching/learning process. Disruptive bahavior includes:

  • Disrespecting a professor or another student, in class or online.
  • Talking, texting, or viewing material unrelated to the course during a lecture.
  • Failing to silence your cell phone during class.
  • Posting inappropriate material or material unrealted to the course on discussion boards.

OTHER TYPES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

  1. Obtaining a copy of a test before the test is admisistered.
  2. Distributing, either for money or for free, a test before it is administered.
  3. Encouraging others to obtain a copy of a test before the test is administered.
  4. Changing grades in a gradebook, on a computer, or on an assignment.
  5. Continuing to work on a test after time is called.

COLLUSION

Where students act together in relation to the preparation or presentation of any assessed item of work in a manner that is dishonest or unfair. Examples include:Algorithms and collusion - OECD

  • Working with another person (colluding) when the assessment should be completed individually;
  • In the case of collaborative group projects, falsely representing the individual contributions of the collaborating group members.

FABRICATION

Misrepresenting data within an assessment or within research.  Examples include:

  • Fabrication is making up results and reporting themFabrication Title Stock Illustrations – 45 Fabrication Title Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime
  • Falsification is altering results so that the research is not accurately represented

FORGERY OR FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS

Misrepresenting data within an assessment or within research.  Examples include:Forgery Document Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock

  • Fabrication is making up results and reporting them
  • Falsification is altering results so that the research is not accurately represented

DUPLICATE SUBMISSION

A duplicate submission means a student submits the same paper for two different classes. Duplicate Cliparts, Stock Vector And Royalty Free Duplicate IllustrationsIf a student submits the same paper for two different classes within the same semester, the student must have the permission of both instructors. If a student submits the same paper for two different classes in different semesters, the student must have the permission of their current instructor.

IMPROPER COMPUTER/CALCULATOR USE

Improper computer/calculator use includes: 

  1. Unauthorized use of computer or calculator programs.
  2. Selling or giving away information stored on a computer or calculator which will be submitted for a grade.
  3. Sharing test or assignment answers on a calculator or computer.