How not to cheat!(even by accident)

University of Bradford Regulations on Academic Misconduct

Amanda Hughes Assistant Registrar (Complaints & Appeals)

What is Academic Misconduct?

• Academic misconduct basically means cheating.

• If you cheat and get caught it will have serious consequences for your University career.

• If you cheat and don’t get caught it will soon become apparent when you get a job that your qualifications do not match your ability.

Academic Misconduct covers any action that a person takes to gain an unfair

advantage when taking assessment.

• Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct

• Cheating in examinations is another• So is making up the results of experiments or evidence

to support a piece of work• Also Identity Theft

These are all actions that could potentially end your University career

The most important regulation

...work submitted by a student for formal assessment must be

written by the student and in the student’s own words

Academic MisconductReferencing properly is really important!

• All instances of academic misconduct brought to the attention of the University will be investigated.

• The University reserves the right to use any fair and reasonable means to identify instances of academic misconduct.

• It is not acceptable to say that you do not know what academic misconduct is because you have never read any of the guidance.

• It is your responsibility to ensure that you look at the information about plagiarism and referencing that your School provides in handbooks and on Blackboard.

Seeking Advice about referencing

• Respecting intellectual property rights – that is the ownership of an idea or a piece of academic work – is an important issue.

• If you are an overseas student you may find UK referencing conventions quite different to those in your home country.

• Remember, if you are unsure of the rules, ask your tutor for advice or visit the Learner Development Unit for guidance.

Mitigating Circumstances

• If you are ill, have personal problems, don’t understand, have run out of time – Don’t panic and cheat out of desperation!

• Speak to your Personal Tutor about putting in a claim for mitigating circumstances and/or getting some extra time to complete your work

Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is a form of fraud There are no mitigating circumstances which can excuse plagiarism. The University provides clear guidance to all students about what plagiarism is and how to avoid it; the University will therefore not accept a plea of ignorance if a student is found answerable for a case of plagiarism

Plagiarism

University Definition

• The inclusion within your own work of a substantial, unacknowledged section of material which has been taken from the published or unpublished work of another person.

This includes:• Using other people’s work

without quotation marks and/or acknowledging the original source (referencing)

• Using text from the internet without quotation marks and referencing

• Using other people’s ideas or research without permission

Buying or Stealing an Assignment

• Buying an Assignment or stealing an assignment from someone at this or another University and submitting it – or part of it – in your own name is the worst thing you can do.

• You will be called before an Investigating Committee and if found accountable it will normally lead to you being permanently excluded from the University.

Collaboration

• Don’t work too closely with your friends• The work you each submit must be your own• It’s OK to share ideas – but the way you

describe your ideas, the actual text in your essay must not be the same as your friend’s

• Be specially careful if you are working in groups – find out if the essay is a group effort or if it is supposed to be all your own work

Don’t be a VictimBe Careful

• Don’t leave your essay on a shared printer• Look after your memory stick• Share ideas – but don’t share your work• Give advice if a friend asks for it – but …

Do not give anyone a copy of your work – for any reason – ever!

Further InformationYou will shortly get an email – read it!

• Lots of information at http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/BreachesAppealsComplaints/Introduction_Page_for_Web.pdf

• Full list of things that the University considers Academic Misconduct http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/BreachesAppealsComplaints/What_is_Academic_Misconduct.pdf

• Scare yourself with the Penalty Framework! http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/BreachesAppealsComplaints/Penalty_Framework.pdf

• If you do find yourself in trouble http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/BreachesAppealsComplaints/Procedures_followed_Event_Suspected_Breach_of_Assessment_Regulations.pdf

Where to get help

• Your Personal Tutor or Module Tutor• The Learner Development Unit• Your Subject Librarian• Student Advisors• Sabbatical Officers – Student’s Union

Just Ask – people will be glad to help

Be aware

• What is expected of you• Why you may struggle• How to get assistance

Enjoy your time at BradfordWe are very pleased to see you here