How not to cheat! (even by accident)

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 Misconduct Referencing properly is really important! 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. • 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.

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 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 • 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.

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 Bradford We are very pleased to see you here

How not to cheat! (even by accident)