To receive credit for SGS101, you must:

To receive credit for SGS101, you must: • Register for the course • Show your student card and sign-in at the tables outside the lecture hall – if you haven’t already done so, DO THIS NOW! • Attend the full three hours • Write the quiz • Achieve at least 7/10 on the quiz

SGS101 – Part 1 Academic Integrity Doug Welch Sep 23, 2008

“What’s in it for me??” • Your effort and expertise is rewarded. • Your degree maintains its value. • Employers can rely on your credentials. • Researchers can rely on existing research. • Public confidence in independent scholarly work is maintained.

Principles • High standard of integrity required • Same policy applies to all students • Expectations and obligations well-defined • Procedures clearly described • Procedures fair • Policies have force of law • Appeals process exists

“Defence in depth” • You! • Your Supervisor • Your Associate Chair/Graduate Advisor • Your Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) • The Academic Integrity Officer • Ombuds • (Judicial Review)

Academic Dishonesty • Plagiarism is the most common form but NOT the only form (ATK will give examples) • A common element of academically-dishonest acts is deception • Any action involving an element of fraud with respect to your academic activities is an act of academic dishonesty • Non-academic actions fall under the Student Code of Conduct (or other policies)

Plagiarism • Many, many forms • Academic Integrity Policy gives many examples of what may constitute plagiarism • Underlying principle: There must be NO ambiguity regarding what is your work and what has been done by others • Bibliography is NOT enough

“Common Knowledge” • One exception to the need to always cite sources is “common knowledge” (CK) • CK is usually not anyone’s work, is known by many/most people • Examples: • The Earth orbits the Sun • Ontario’s Provincial Bird is the Common Loon • There are seven days in a week

“Common Knowledge” • Another attribute of common knowledge is some piece of information which is not in dispute. • When in doubt, provide a citation!!!

Hearings • Faculty Adjudicator (Graduate) • Notification • Formal hearing • Burden of proof is a “civil” standard “preponderance of the evidence” (NOT “beyond a reasonable doubt”!) • Adjudicator issues finding (and determines penalty if the student is found guilty)

Common (Unsuccessful) Explanations • “My English isn’t very good and what I found in the book/paper/website was written very well and said exactly what I wanted to say.” Regardless of whether or not your English is your first language, you are required to do your own work and write your own assignments to the best of your ability.

Common (Unsuccessful) Explanations • “Transcribing the text into my paper was a lot of work and I should get partial credit for that.” Transcribing (without attribution) is a crystal-clear example of plagiarism. No credit will be given for transcription at the graduate level. Graduate students are expected to make intellectual contributions to the work they do.

Common (Unsuccessful) Explanations • “This practice was acceptable at my last institution.” The standards at your previous institution may have been different. NO allowance is made for the standards of other institutions. The standard expected at McMaster is that articulated in Academic Integrity Policy.

Common (Unsuccessful) Explanations • “My instructor thought that what I did was okay and/or should be given partial credit.” Bad advice from instructors is obviously not helpful! Nevertheless, you have a responsibility to understand academic integrity independent of your instructor. (In such a case you might still be guilty of an academic offence, but the penalty might take the bad advice into account.)

Common (Unsuccessful) Explanations • “Everyone else does it. It is unfair that I got caught and am getting punished.” At a hearing, the only issue being considered is whether or not you committed an academic offence.

Common (Unsuccessful) Explanations • “I’m sorry. I did it. It was wrong. It will never happen again.” If you did indeed commit an academic offence and recognize it, this is certainly a reasonable plea. It won’t, however, forestall a hearing, a finding and a penalty.

Bottom Line(s) • You are responsible for youractions • Read the Academic Integrity Policy • Seek clarification from your instructor or supervisor when you are unsure • If you are still unsure, ask someone else who is responsible for knowing these answers • Ask for written response/e-mail

To receive credit for SGS101, you must: