Academic Integrity at JCU
Academic Integrity, why do I need to learn this?
Welcome to your new life at university. Just like in every aspect of our lives, universities require us to follow certain rules, with one of the most important being the need to uphold Academic Integrity. So what on earth does this mean? Well, thanks for asking..... let's take a look.
The meaning of Academic Integrity according to TEQSA (2022) is:
‘the expectation that teachers, students, researchers and all members of the academic community act with: honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.’
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You’ll notice that maintaining Academic Integrity isn't just expected of you as a student—it’s also a responsibility we, as your lecturers, must uphold.
TEQSA is the Australian government agency that sets the rules and assures the quality of education Australian Universities must deliver. They are a big deal to Uni's.
As you can see from this definition academic integrity does not just apply to students, your lecturers are also bound by this. But what does all of this mean.....
The learning centre here at JCU has developed this beautiful infographic:
Now that you have had a look at how James Cook University views Academic Integrity, it is over to you to brainstorm what you think all of these words mean.
We do not expect you to be an expert on this at this stage. We just want to turn your academic brain on to start to think about how all these pillars may apply to all of us at university.
To add your thoughts under each heading press the + sign.
Academic Integrity and you.
Trust: You can trust that your lecturers will only provide you with information that has been proven academically and will be transparent about this. YOU, will also only provide information that is academically correct and you be will transparent about it.
Fairness: Your lecturers will mark your work and provide feedback exactly the same across your cohort. They will treat everyone with equity and be accountable for their actions. You will treat everyone with equity and you will be accountable for your actions.
Responsibility and Courage: Your lecturers will abide by JCU codes of conduct and policies, engage in difficult conversations with respect and strong Academic Integrity. They will address wrong doing and stand up for academic integrity at all times. You, will abide by JCU codes of conduct and policies (see on the below), you will defend the integrity and stand up for what you believe in.
Respect: Your academics will provide you with constructive feedback and will accept the diversity of others thoughts. They acknowledge the impact their words and actions could have on others. You, will accept feedback and action it, you will accept the diversity of others and their thoughts. You will acknowledge your words and actions could have impact on others.
Honesty: Your academics will be truthful and will acknowledge when they have used other sources including Gen AI to develop your learning materials and they will always provide academically proven facts. You, be truthful in actions and will always acknowledge all sources you have used including Gen AI. You will only present academically proven facts.
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JCU's Student Code of Conduct and policies.
Please ensure you are familiar with these.
JCU student's Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity policy.
So why is this important to my studies and future profession?
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Academic Integrity at uni and my profession.
🛑 Stop......... Before we tell you why this is important we want you to Google 'why is academic integrity important in.....'
After 'in' type the profession you want to go into. Share what you find below.
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Here is why Academic Integrity is important.
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You
When you are displaying Academic Integrity you are demonstrating that you are an ethical professional who takes your professional code of conduct/ethics seriously. You are also showing professional respect for your peers, lecturers, the university and your profession. You are protecting your reputation.
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University
Academic Integrity is the foundation on which the university is built. It is far more than not cheating. For your academics, Academic Integrity is about maintaining excellent academic standards in their teaching and research. Not only should you not cheat, but your lecturers must offer accurate assessments, and honest research practices.
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Profession
As you have seen in your research Academic Integrity is critical for many disciplines. The university is your training ground for learning to conduct yourself in a professional ethical manner both at university and in your profession.
How do I display Academic Integrity?
So now you know what Academic Integrity is why it is important, let's look at how you can display it.
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According to TEQSA (2022) these are the behaviours you need to be displaying in your academic and professional life;
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acknowledging where the information you use comes from, clearly citing or referencing the source (this is referencing and you will learn about this from the library and in your subjects)
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sitting your own exams and submitting your own work
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accurately reporting research findings and abiding by research policies
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using information appropriately, according to copyright and privacy laws
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acting ethically or doing the 'right thing', even when you are facing difficulties.
Plagiarism: Submitting work that is not your own without acknowledging the original source. This can be from things you have read or using Gen AI without citing it.
Recycling or resubmitting work: This is where you submit the exact same assignment that you have already had marked a second time for a new grade. This can either be in a different subject or in the same subject if you have to repeat it.
Fabricating information: This is where you make up information and you present this in your work as fact. This can include information from Gen AI
How is Academic Integrity breached?
Collusion: Can be when you and others work together on an assignment that is not group work and you submit this as your own work. It also includes you sharing or having received test questions and answers and written work to gain advantage.
Exam cheating:
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'Writing ‘cheat notes’ on your body or materials you take into the exam room
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attempting to copy from other students
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communicating with other students or people outside the exam venue while the exam is in progress
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using electronic devices to access information related to the exam while it is in progress
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bringing prohibited items, such as unapproved calculators or textbooks into exams' (TEQSA, 2022).
Contract cheating and impersonation: Either asking or paying for someone else to do your work and you submitting it as your own. This includes Gen AI. It also includes you supporting illegal contract cheating services up supplying them with subject learning materials, study notes, exam question and assignments.
So what happens if you are suspected of academic misconduct?
Google academic misconduct at JCU...
See what you can find.
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What is the process if I am suspected?
There is a process your lecturers have to go through. We gather the evidence, fill out a form that goes to student matters and there is an investigation and you may be called into a hearing with the Head of School to discuss the allegation and you can put your case forward. Here is the Academic Misconduct Procedure for you to read.
Let's have a look at a couple of examples and decide what we would do.
Example 1: You have run out of time to complete your assignment as your life got hectic. Your assignment is due tomorrow at 9am. There is no way on earth you will have time to do the research for it and write and submit it. Your friend told you just use Chat GPT it will write the assignment for you and will add references if you ask it to. They said they have done it at high school and got away with it. What do you?
Example 2: You have looked at your assessment and read all of the requirements and you have completed all of the learning materials. You really do not understand what is being asked of you and there is NO way you are going to ask your lecturer as you are too scared and you do not want to look stupid. You also do not want to fail. You have found a company . This way you will get it submitted and you will not have to ask for help. What do you do?
So what are the consequences if I am found guilty of academic misconduct?
At university
If found guilty of academic misconduct at university will be subject to a consequence that can range from a warning to Explosion from the university and professional and legal authorities are notified. Here is the list of breaches and the penalties at JCU
In my profession
Each profession will have different penalties for professional academic misconduct and we advise you to look into your profession. The Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia key take away message to us is if found guilty of academic misconduct WE (lecturers included) could face 5 years jail and a fine over $ 600 000.
Our takeaway message is to maintain the highest order of Academic Integrity at all times because this is not something to play with.
What is Gen AI and can I use it?
Gen AI = Generative Artificial Intelligence.
AI is the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. So AI can learn, reason, problem-solve, understand natural language, and perception through vision and hearing and it can even interact with the external environment. It can create text, images, data, audio and video. JCU has tips an AI use.
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What you need to be mindful of is that each subject will have different rules on the use of AI. Some will say absolutely not, some will tell that you use it it a limited and they will list how. Some will ask you to use AI in your assignment. In order to know if you can use it and still have academic integrity you need to read your subject outline carefully.
How will my lecturers know if I use AI?
It is really easy to pick up if Chat GPT has been used. Remember we are the content experts in the subject and we have designed the assessments in a very specific way. So when AI has been used, it is like looking at.......
Fish out of water, created with Adobe Firefly, 2024
So the moral of this story is to always maintain Academic Integrity. Ask questions about your assignments. There is no shame in not understanding BUT there is deep shame in not having Academic Integrity.