Academic Integrity

“Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct Links to an external site. states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts” (Penn State Policy 49-20 Links to an external site.).

For students, integrity starts in the classroom. Academic Integrity violations encompass activities that can be considered cheating or otherwise obtaining an improper advantage, such as plagiarism.

 

Cheating

  • Copying from another's evaluative assignment
  • Using resources on an evaluative assignment not allowed by the instructor
  • Submitting work previously used for another course without permission from the instructor
  • Facilitating the cheating of others
  • Allowing others to complete your assignments or exams
  • Attempting to change the result of an assignment after the fact

 

Plagiarism

Representing without proper citation in writing and oral presentations:

  • words,
  • ideas,
  • images,
  • technical work,
  • creative content,
  • or the work of others.

Plagiarism is basically intellectual theft!

As a graduate student, you are pursuing an advanced degree and are expected to understand what academic integrity is. If you are unsure about what is considered to be a violation of academic integrity, seek help!

Ask your instructor or adviser! Academic integrity violations are considered a violation of the Penn State Code of Conduct and egregious violations can result in dismissal from your graduate program!

Learn more about proper citations methods Links to an external site. and how to avoid plagiarism Links to an external site. from the University Libraries.

 

Plagiarism (3:38 minutes)