Academic integrity is one of the key principles governing educational and scientific activities. Every participant in academic activities is obliged to comply with its basic rules and principles. Today we will talk about the key norms of academic integrity and the consequences of violating them.
What is academic integrity?
Academic integrity is a set of ethical principles, values and rules based on them, which must be followed by participants in academic activities to ensure trust in the results of learning and scientific achievements.
The concept of academic integrity is enshrined in the Law of Ukraine “On Education” and detailed in the draft Law “On Academic Integrity”.
Compliance with the principles of academic integrity by teaching, research and scientific staff includes the following aspects:
- mandatory reference to sources of information when using ideas, developments, statements or information
- compliance with copyright and related rights legislation
- provision of truthful information about research methods and results, sources of information used and one's own pedagogical (scientific and pedagogical) activities
- monitoring of compliance with the principles of academic integrity by students
- ensuring objective assessment of learning outcomes
Compliance with the principles of academic integrity by students involves:
- independent completion of educational and current tasks and final assessment of learning outcomes (for persons with special educational needs, this requirement applies taking into account their individual needs and abilities)
- providing references to sources of information when using ideas, developments, statements, information
- compliance with copyright and related rights legislation
- providing reliable information about the results of one's own educational, scientific or creative activities, research methods used and sources of information
What is considered a violation of academic integrity?
The following aspects are considered major violations of academic integrity:
- Academic plagiarism. Publication (in whole or in part) of scientific or creative results obtained by other persons as the results of one's own research without indicating authorship.
- Self-plagiarism. Publishing (in whole or in part) one's own previously published scientific results as new.
- Fabrication. Inventing data or facts used in the educational process or scientific research.
- Falsification. Deliberate alteration or modification of existing data relating to the educational process or scientific research.
- Cheating. Completing written work with the use of external sources of information (except those permitted for use), in particular during the assessment of learning outcomes.
- Deception. Providing false information about one's own educational, scientific or creative activities or the organisation of the educational process.
- Bribery. Giving, receiving or offering money, property, services or other benefits in order to gain an unfair advantage in the educational process.
- Unfair assessment. Deliberately overestimating or underestimating the learning outcomes of students.
For students, violating academic integrity rules can have the following consequences:
- Refusal to award an educational-scientific or educational-creative degree, or to confer an academic title.
- Revocation of an existing educational-scientific or educational-creative degree or academic title.
- Refusal to award or revocation of an existing teaching title or qualification category.
- Deprivation of the right to participate in the activities of bodies provided for by law, or the right to hold positions specified by law.
For violations of academic integrity standards, students may be subject to the following penalties:
- Repeated assessment (test, exam, credit, etc.).
- Repeating the relevant component of the educational programme.
- Expulsion from the educational institution (except for persons receiving general secondary education).
- Deprivation of academic scholarship.
- Deprivation of benefits provided by the educational institution for the payment of tuition fees.
Violation of academic integrity may be grounds for termination of the employment contract by the employer.
Compliance with academic integrity standards is an important factor for the development of education and science, maintaining the reputation of scientists and trust in research results. Violation of these principles can lead to serious consequences for scientists, including discredit and legal liability.
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