During my first year at UBC, I heard the phrase academic integrity a lot. However, it didn’t really phase me because I just thought to myself: ‘I have tons of integrity- I’ll be fine!’ As my courses progressed I kept hearing the term and I began to wonder if there was more to this idea than just properly citing my sources. It turns out there was a lot more to it. In a nutshell, academic integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. As a university student, and a scholar, you are expected to submit original work and give credit to other people’s ideas. Put another way, your professor can’t do a research project where they take credit for someone else’s ideas and neither can you.
Breaking the rules of academic integrity carry stiff penalties (often a failing grade or worse) but it also goes against the point of being at university: to learn. As someone who now works with professors on a regular basis, I can guarantee you that they know when you’re not submitting original work. So how do you stay honest and within the parameters of academic integrity?
Here’s some tools:
Citing Sources Is About More Than Just Following The Rules
(originally posted in UBC FYI, July 2015)
During my first year at UBC, I heard the phrase academic integrity a lot. However, it didn’t really phase me because I just thought to myself: ‘I have tons of integrity- I’ll be fine!’ As my courses progressed I kept hearing the term and I began to wonder if there was more to this idea than just properly citing my sources. It turns out there was a lot more to it. In a nutshell, academic integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. As a university student, and a scholar, you are expected to submit original work and give credit to other people’s ideas. Put another way, your professor can’t do a research project where they take credit for someone else’s ideas and neither can you.
Breaking the rules of academic integrity carry stiff penalties (often a failing grade or worse) but it also goes against the point of being at university: to learn. As someone who now works with professors on a regular basis, I can guarantee you that they know when you’re not submitting original work. So how do you stay honest and within the parameters of academic integrity?
Here’s some tools:
If you find yourself falling behind, talk to your professor or TA as soon as possible. Tell them you’re struggling. Often they will be able to help you find techniques and resources to get back on track. Rather than looking like a failure, seeking help will make you look like an engaged student trying to do their best
Acknowledge all sources of information. Use citation guides if you are unsure. Even paraphrasing someone else’s idea requires acknowledgment.
Rather than attempt to cut corners on an exam, consider what an exam is: a chance to prove what you have learned. Start early and develop exam techniques that will work for you.
Have a plan. Students feel pressured to cheat when they run out of time and feel overwhelmed by commitments. Learning good time management techniques will help you avoid a time crunch.
Even if you’re under a serious time crunch, if you submit a late or incomplete paper, you’ll get a much better grade than a zero and possible long term repercussions. And if you’re just in a writing rut, reach out to your professor early and often.
During my first year at UBC, I heard the phrase academic integrity a lot. However, it didn’t really phase me because I just thought to myself: ‘I have tons of integrity- I’ll be fine!’ As my courses progressed I kept hearing the term and I began to wonder if there was more to this idea than just properly citing my sources. It turns out there was a lot more to it. In a nutshell, academic integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. As a university student, and a scholar, you are expected to submit original work and give credit to other people’s ideas. Put another way, your professor can’t do a research project where they take credit for someone else’s ideas and neither can you.
Breaking the rules of academic integrity carry stiff penalties (often a failing grade or worse) but it also goes against the point of being at university: to learn. As someone who now works with professors on a regular basis, I can guarantee you that they know when you’re not submitting original work. So how do you stay honest and within the parameters of academic integrity?
Here’s some tools:
