Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity
- Academic Integrity is an ethical manner of conducting academic work.
- All members of StFX are expected to uphold the Code of Academic Conduct, by demonstrating honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.
- Offenses against academic integrity are subject to discipline, and these offenses include the following:
- Plagiarism
- Cheating
- Falsification
- Tampering
- For definitions, specific examples and official procedures, see the University's Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures.
Preventing Academic Dishonesty
- Include a statement about academic integrity in your course syllabi. For example:
- "St. Francis Xavier University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of such academic offenses as plagiarism, cheating, tampering, and falsification under Section 3.8 of the Academic Calendar." (see the Report of the Academic Integrity Committee to the University Faculty)
- Provide students with an explanation of plagiarism and how to avoid plagiarizing.
- Inform students of the consequences of plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty.
- Provide students with examples of the required citation style.
- Inform students that they can receive help at the library or the Writing Centre.
How the Library Can Help
- Librarians can assist students in developing critical research skills as well as skills in evaluating internet and other resources.
- Librarians can assist students in using style manuals and understanding how to cite sources. Writing and Citing provides examples from a number of commonly used citation styles.
- The library provides access to the RefWorks software, which can be used to create personal files of citations and bibliographies.
- Ask your Liaison Librarian to do an instructional workshop for your class.
How the Writing Centre Can Help
- The Writing Centre has a direct role in teaching students how to recognize and avoid plagiarism.
- Instructors assist students in developing critical thinking, writing, and self-editing skills, as well as strategies to avoid plagiarism.
- The Writing Centre provides a plagiarism resource page for students.
- The Writing Centre offers classroom programs and one-on-one appointments.
Detecting Plagiarism
- Indications that a student has plagiarized all or part of a paper:
- the writing varies in style and sophistication throughout the paper;
- the paper is written in a style inconsistent with the usual writing of the student;
- text font, margins, or page numbering is inconsistent throughout the paper;
- no recent references are cited; and,
- many references come from monographs or journals not available in our library.
(see the Report of the Academic Integrity Committee to the University Faculty)
- Tips on finding the original source when plagiarism is suspected.
- Contact your Liaison Librarian for assistance.
Procedure for Reporting Plagiarism
- Seek a second opinion from the chair of your department, or from another senior faculty member.
- Consult the Registrar to determine whether the student's name is on the Registry of Academic Discipline.
- If the student does not appear on the registry:
- Follow the steps for Plagiarism: First Instance
- If the student does appear on the registry:
- Follow the steps for Plagiarism (second and subsequent cases), Cheating, Falsification, and Tampering
Procedure for Reporting Other Academic Offenses
- Follow the steps for Plagiarism (second and subsequent cases), Cheating, Falsification, and Tampering
Links
University Academic Integrity Policy Summary for Students
Resources from Other Institutions
Dalhousie University Plagiarism and Academic Honesty The Faculty Resources link includes sections on detecting and preventing plagiarism, including suggestions for assignment design to prevent plagiarism.
St. Mary's University Faculty Handbook on Academic Integrity 2005/06 In addition to detection and prevention tips, this handbook includes a section on why students cheat.
Avoiding Plagiarism This UCLA webpage provides a number of useful links to guides for citation and links for basic resources on plagiarism, strategies for avoiding it, and for teaching students about plagiarism.
