Academic Integrity
Secrets for Success in College - Part 1
WHAT IS ACADEMIC INTEGRITY?
Having integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.
Academic integrity means following the academic honesty policies put in place by a school.
For example...
It means doing your own work even if your friend offers you help on a take-home exam.
It means writing your own papers and properly citing your resources.
It means taking an online quiz without help from your textbooks or friends if the quiz is supposed to be taken that way.
WHY DOES academic integrity MATTER?
Having integrity is important for several reasons.
First, it means that others can trust you.
Second, violating the policies of your school or job can get you expelled or fired.
HOW TO act with ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
“Accidentally” violating the College's academic honesty policies can have the same consequences as “intentionally” violating them.
So, what can you do?
Understand what constitutes cheating
Read Pierpont's Student Handbook, click here, as well as your course syllabus and/or assignment and test instructions carefully. When in doubt, ask your instructor what is appropriate.
Do your own work
Having another person do your assignments or you doing another person's assignments is a violation of Pierpont's Student Code of Conduct.
Never purchase, copy, or download essays
Colleges have computer programs that can detect things like this.
Know whose words and ideas you are using and credit them
Not giving credit for work that is not yours is plagiarism, which is a violation of Pierpont's Student Code of Conduct.
Do not fabricate data, citations, or experimental results
If you cannot find or do not get the results you are looking for, creating "fake" data or citations is a violation of Pierpont's Student Code of Conduct.
Know the boundaries in group-work projects
For example: Do not collaborate on the writing of a paper when each member of the group is required to submit her/his own individual paper. If you are unsure, ask your instructor.
Avoid even the suspicion of collusion
Do not allow any possibility that someone else could copy your work or assignments or exams. You do not want to be accused of abetting someone else’s academic misconduct.
Avoid impersonation
This means that you should not allow another person to assume your identity to write a test, computer quiz, or assignment; nor should you assume the identity of another. You also should not sign attendance sheets on behalf of another student, or ask them to sign in for you.
Adapted from https://academicintegrity.uoguelph.ca/academic-integrity/ten-golden-rules-academic-integrity
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is presenting work or ideas from another source as your own, with or without consent of the original author, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgment.
If you don't cite (list) the resource you used when you quote something, it could be interpreted that you were plagiarizing, even if it is by accident.
https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/
If you would like to print a paper copy,
click below to access a PDF version.
4 Types of Plagiarism.pdf5 Ways to Avoid Plagiarism
1. "Use direct quotes - or don't quote at all"
2. "Paraphrase with care"
3. "Give credit where credit is due"
4. "Beware of cutting and pasting"
5. "Footnote as you go"
C. Coleman, On The Record with Seton Hall Law
https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/5-ways-to-avoid-plagiarism
"If you've properly paraphrased or quoted and correctly cited the source, you are not committing plagiarism.
However, the word correctly is vital. In order to avoid plagiarism, you must adhere to the guidelines of your citation style (e.g. APA or MLA)."
Scribbr: Is it plagiarism if you cite the source?
Rights & Responsibilities
Knowing what is right and wrong is the first step in acting with academic integrity.
Below are resources with information.
You do not need to read the information in the handbooks for this class.
Pierpont's Student Handbook
It is important that students understand their rights and responsibilities toward each other, their instructors, and the College.
The student handbook provides information on your rights and responsibilities as a student. It also provides information concerning regulations and policies, Student Services, Academic Affairs, and the Student Conduct Code.
Contact Student Services for More Information:
304-367-4907 studentservices@pierpont.edu
Disability Services Student Guidebook
This guidebook is for students who have a disability.
It provides information about the Office of Disability Services and the disability accommodation process.
If you had an IEP or 504 Plan in high school or think you have a disability, check this guidebook.
Contact Support Services - Office of Disability Services:
304-534-7878 access@pierpont.edu
Title IX
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that receives federal funding, as Pierpont does.
Pierpont actively responds to reports of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, as part of its efforts to stop harassment and prevent the occurrence of possible sex discrimination.
Contact Student Services for More Information:
304-367-4907 studentservices@pierpont.edu
Pierpont's Policies
Pierpont has several "policies" (course of actions or way things are done) associated with several things like changing your major or dropping a class.
Click below to learn more.