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Academic misconduct refers to actions that violate the academic integrity of educational institutions, compromising the fairness and validity of the assessment process. In universities and colleges in England and Wales, academic misconduct is taken seriously, and institutions typically have specific policies and procedures in place to address such behavior. Here are common forms of academic misconduct:
Plagiarism: Plagiarism involves presenting someone else’s work, ideas, or intellectual property as one’s own without proper acknowledgment. This can include copying and pasting from sources without citation or paraphrasing without giving credit.
Cheating: Cheating encompasses various actions aimed at gaining an unfair advantage in assessments. This can include bringing unauthorized materials into exams, using unauthorized devices, or obtaining or providing unauthorized assistance during exams or coursework.
Collusion: Collusion occurs when students collaborate on assignments or assessments without authorization. Submitting work that is not entirely one’s own or allowing others to submit work on one’s behalf can be considered collusion.
Contract Cheating: Contract cheating involves outsourcing academic work to third parties, such as essay mills or ghostwriters, to complete assignments on behalf of the student. This undermines the educational process and is considered a serious breach of academic integrity.
Fabrication: Fabrication involves creating false information or data in coursework, assignments, or research. This can include inventing sources, falsifying experimental results, or providing misleading information.
Impersonation: Impersonation occurs when someone else, other than the registered student, takes an exam or completes an assessment on behalf of the student. This is a serious offense that undermines the credibility of academic qualifications.
Unauthorized Collaboration: Students are typically required to complete their work independently unless explicitly permitted to collaborate. Unauthorized collaboration involves working together without proper authorization.
Breach of Exam Regulations: Actions that breach exam regulations, such as attempting to communicate with others during exams, bringing prohibited materials into the exam hall, or leaving the exam hall without permission, are considered academic misconduct.
Misuse of Research: Misusing research involves presenting someone else’s research findings as one’s own or manipulating data to misrepresent results. This is a serious breach of academic integrity, particularly in postgraduate research.
Non-Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose conflicts of interest, such as a personal relationship with a subject of research, can be considered academic misconduct.
Universities and colleges in England and Wales have established procedures for investigating and addressing academic misconduct. Penalties for such behavior may include receiving a reduced grade for the assignment, failing the module or course, or, in severe cases, expulsion from the institution. It’s important for students to be aware of their institution’s policies on academic misconduct and to adhere to ethical standards throughout their academic journey.