The Importance of Academic Integrity
1. Introduction
Academic integrity and academic dishonesty are two very important concepts in the world of academia. Academic integrity refers to the values, abilities and attitudes that enable a graduate to function honestly and ethically in the job market and in society at large (Graduate Education Society, n.d). On the other hand, academic dishonesty is defined as “any attempt to gain an unfair academic advantage for oneself or for others” (International Center for Academic Integrity, n.d). There are different types of academic dishonesty and the consequences can be severe. In this essay, we will discuss what academic integrity and academic dishonesty are, the importance of maintaining academic integrity, the different types of academic dishonesty as well as the consequences of such acts. We will also look at how one can maintain academic integrity.
2. What is Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty?
As mentioned earlier, academic integrity refers to the values, abilities and attitudes that enable a graduate to function honestly and ethically in the job market and in society at large. These values include truthfulness, fairness, respect for others, willingness to take responsibility for one’s own actions and a commitment to excellence (Graduate Education Society, n.d). On the other hand, academic dishonesty is any form of cheating that takes place in an educational setting. It includes plagiarism, cheating on exams, submitting someone else’s work as one’s own and fabricating data (International Center for Academic Integrity, n.d).
3. The Importance of Maintaining Academic Integrity
There are many reasons why it is important to maintain academic integrity. Firstly, it helps to develop good character. When students learn to be honest in their academics, they are more likely to be honest in other aspects of their lives as well (Increasing Student Awareness of Academic Integrity through Classroom Activities, 2016). Secondly, academic integrity instills a sense of pride and confidence in students. When students achieve their results honestly, they are more likely to be proud of their accomplishments and feel confident in their abilities (Increasing Student Awareness of Academic Integrity through Classroom Activities, 2016). Thirdly, academic honesty promotes lifelong learning. When students learn to be honest in their academics, they are more likely to continue learning throughout their lives (Increasing Student Awareness of Academic Integrity through Classroom Activities, 2016). Lastly, academic integrity is important because it prepares students for the real world. In the real world, employers value employees who are honest and have strong ethical values (Increasing Student Awareness of Academic Integrity through Classroom Activities, 2016).
4. The Different Types of Academic Dishonesty
There are different types of academic dishonesty and each type has its own consequences. The most common type of academic dishonesty is plagiarism which is defined as “the act of using someone else’s ideas or words without giving credit” (International Center for Academic Integrity, n.d). Plagiarism is a serious issue because it goes against one of the core values of academia which is honesty. Cheating on exams is another form of academic dishonesty which refers to “looking at someone else’s exam paper or allowing someone else to look at your exam paper” (International Center for Academic Integrity, n.d). Cheating on exams is a serious issue because it compromises the fairness of the assessment process. Submitting someone else’s work as one’s own is another form of academic dishonesty. This is often referred to as “collusion” and it is defined as “working with someone else on an assignment and then submitting it as your own work” (International Center for Academic Integrity, n.d). Collusion is a serious issue because it undermines the individual efforts of students. Fabricating data is another form of academic dishonesty which refers to “making up data or results to support your argument” (International Center for Academic Integrity, n.d). Fabricating data is a serious issue because it compromises the integrity of research.
5. The Consequences of Academic Dishonesty
The consequences of academic dishonesty can be severe. The most common consequence is a loss of marks which could lead to a lower grade in the course. In some cases, students may be expelled from their course or even from their university. In addition, academic dishonesty can lead to a loss of credibility and damage to one’s reputation. It can also lead to employers being reluctant to hire someone with a history of academic dishonesty (The Consequences of Cheating in College, 2018).
6. How to Maintain Academic Integrity
There are several things that students can do to maintain academic integrity. Firstly, they should make sure that they understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Secondly, they should take their own notes and do their own research instead of relying on others. Thirdly, they should make sure that they understand the assessment criteria for their assignments and exams so that they can prepare accordingly. Lastly, they should always be honest about their achievements and accomplishments (Graduate Education Society, n.d).
7. Conclusion
In conclusion, academic integrity and academic dishonesty are two very important concepts in the world of academia. Academic integrity refers to the values, abilities and attitudes that enable a graduate to function honestly and ethically in the job market and in society at large. On the other hand, academic dishonesty is any form of cheating that takes place in an educational setting. There are different types of academic dishonesty and the consequences can be severe. In this essay, we have discussed what academic integrity and academic dishonesty are, the importance of maintaining academic integrity, the different types of academic dishonesty as well as the consequences of such acts. We have also looked at how one can maintain academic integrity.