Academic Honesty Policy

Effective Semester 2, 2012 (23 July 2012)

1. GENERAL ASSESSMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

2. ACADEMIC HONESTY

2.1. Examples of academic dishonesty in assessments other than examinations

2.2. Examples of academic dishonesty in examinations

2.3. Allegations and penalties for academic dishonesty

3. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS

4. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS

4.1. Examination timetable

4.2. Consideration for others

4.3. Examination materials

4.4. General conduct in examination venue

4.5. Examination interruptions

4.6. Breaches of section 4

5. RESULTS

6. ASSESSMENT GRIEVANCES

DEFINITIONS

PROCEDURES

OVERVIEW

This policy sets out the obligations of coursework students when undertaking assessment tasks, including examinations, particularly the obligation of academic honesty.

The policy supports the following Graduate Attribute in the University's students: "An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities".

SCOPE

This policy applies to all students who are enrolled in a University of Adelaide course or courses which can or do form part of a University of Adelaide coursework program.

Students enrolled in courses at other institutions are covered by the equivalent policies of their enrolling institution, even if the teaching and/or marking is provided by the University of Adelaide.

The University's approach to assessment and the principles and procedures which must be followed by academic staff when setting and marking assessment are contained in the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

Academic dishonesty in higher degree by research programs is dealt with under the Responsible Conduct of Research Policy.

PRINCIPLES

a. Assessment is an aid to learning and involves obligations on the part of students to make it effective.

b. Academic honesty is an essential component of teaching, learning and research and is fundamental to the very nature of universities.

c. Academic writing is evidence-based, and the ideas and work of others must be acknowledged and not claimed or presented as one's own, either deliberately or unintentionally.

1. GENERAL ASSESSMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility: Each individual student

Assessment has maximum effect when:

a. you prepare and plan adequately for assessment tasks: the Course Outline for each course you are enrolled in will include details of all assessment tasks and their weighting. You should plan ahead to ensure you meet all assessment deadlines.

b. you obtain early advice and assistance if you know that disabilities or unexpected circumstances have the potential to affect your ability to meet assignment deadlines or examination requirements: see the Course Outline and the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy for more information.

c. you familiarise yourself with course objectives, assessment standards, mark and grade schemes and grade descriptors: course objectives and assessment standards are contained in the Course Outline for each course you are enrolled in.

d. you learn and apply the scholarly academic conventions for evidence-based, academic writing associated with the disciplines you are studying, including appropriate citing and referencing. Assistance is provided through Faculty and School handbooks, course reading materials and from University websites, including at the Writing Centre.

2. ACADEMIC HONESTY

Responsibility: Each individual student

All academic dishonesty is unacceptable. You must not submit for assessment any examination or piece of work that has been completed dishonestly, including through any of the means described below.

Work includes words, music, computer code, data, calculations, artistic and architectural works, photographs, film, video, digital or electronic media designs or ideas.

2.1 Examples of academic dishonesty in assessments other than examinations

For assessments other than examinations, examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Plagiarism, which includes:

i. presenting work that is not your own in any format, without appropriate attribution or reference to the original source

ii. paraphrasing or copying work that is not your own, without due acknowledgement by way of reference to the original work

iii. adopting the ideas of others, or the structure of an existing analysis, without due acknowledgement by way of reference to the original source.

The work of others may be submitted only when use of the work is appropriate and duly acknowledged.

b. Collusion, which includes:

i. inappropriately assisting other students in the production of an assessment task

ii. accepting inappropriate assistance in the production of an assessment task

iii. submitting work which is the same or substantially similar as another student's piece of work for the same assessment task.

Work created with the assistance of others may be submitted only when the Course Coordinator has given prior permission for joint or collaborative work to be submitted, as specified in the Course Outline.

c. Cheating, which includes:

i. submitting any fabricated or falsified data or results of laboratory, field or other work as if they were genuine

ii. submitting a piece of work with the intention of deceiving the assessor about your contribution to the work

iii. submitting a piece of work written or answered for you by another person or which you have copied from another person

iv. submitting the same or substantially similar or substantially the same piece of work for assessment in two different courses, except in accordance with approved study and assessment schemes

v. falsely indicating that you have been present at an activity where attendance is required

vi. completing an assessment task outside the conditions specified for that task.

2.2 Examples of academic dishonesty in examinations

For examinations, examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following (and include attempting to do any of the following):

i. Cheating in any form

ii. Doing anything to gain an unfair or illicit academic advantage in an examination

iii. Sitting any examination on behalf of another student

iv. Permitting another person to sit an examination on your behalf

v. Reading, copying from or otherwise using another student's work in an examination

vi. Knowingly allowing another student to read, copy from or otherwise use your work in an examination

vii. Possessing, referring to, or having access to any material or device containing information directly or indirectly related to the subject matter under examination, other than that explicitly approved by the Course Coordinator; or bringing to the examination any materials in breach of clause 4.3.c.

viii. Communicating in any way with any other student or person inside or outside the examination venue, other than an examination supervisor

ix. Assisting any other student in an examination, either directly or indirectly

x. Accepting assistance from any person other than an examination supervisor, either directly or indirectly

xi. Acting in breach of clause 4.3.d.

2.3 Allegations and penalties for academic dishonesty

2.3.1 All allegations of academic dishonesty will be dealt with (and penalised where substantiated) in accordance with the Academic Dishonesty Procedures. A summary of the penalties which may be applied under these procedures is as follows:

a. If a case of academic dishonesty is determined to be the result of genuine misunderstanding, the penalty may be:

i. a deduction of up to 10% of marks for inappropriate referencing or unfair academic benefit (if the work has been marked), or

ii. a mark or re-mark of the work as it stands, taking into account the inappropriate referencing and/or unfair academic benefit, or

iii. a requirement that the student re-write with appropriate referencing and re-submit the work, or (if the assessment task was an examination) to sit a supplementary examination.

The student will also:

iv receive a written warning that subsequent breaches will not be treated as the result of a misunderstanding, AND

v have the warning recorded in the Faculty Academic Dishonesty Register maintained by each Faculty's Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) or equivalent, AND

vi be directed to appropriate education resources to improve their academic skills, such as referral to the Writing Centre.

b. Where it is determined that there is no misunderstanding, the penalty for the first formal breach is:

i. a mark of zero for the assessment task, AND

ii. a record in the Central University Academic Dishonesty Register.

If it is determined that there are extenuating circumstances, the decision-maker may permit the student:

i. to re-submit the task, or (if the assessment task was an examination) to sit an additional examination

and may also

ii. limit the mark for the re-submitted assignment or resat examination to no more than 50% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment task.

c. The penalty for a second formal breach is:

i. a mark of zero for the assessment task, AND

ii. a Fail for the course, AND

iii. a further record in the Central University Academic Dishonesty Register.

d. The penalty for any subsequent formal breach is

i. a mark of zero for the assessment task, AND

ii. a Fail for the course

AND the matter may be referred to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) for further action in accord with the Rules for Student Conduct. This may result in a penalty of suspension or expulsion from the University and/or a fine.

2.3.2 Where the student's alleged behaviour is of a kind that prejudices the interests of other students or the integrity of the assessment scheme itself, the breach may be referred to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) for action in accord with the Rules for Student Conduct. This may result in a penalty of suspension or expulsion from the University and/or a fine, in addition to a mark of zero and/or a Fail for the course.

3. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS

Responsibility: Each individual student

a. You must include the completed assessment cover sheet, in the format specified for your course, that certifies that the work is your own and that all cited works have been acknowledged.

b. You must submit your assessment task in accord with the specified deadline, format and lodgement instructions, except as provided in the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. Penalties for late or incorrect submission, or for inaccurately stating the word count of the submitted assignment, may be applied as specified in the relevant Course Outline.

c. Deliberate attempts to deceive about lodgement times or word count will result in a penalty of a mark of zero for the assignment.

4. ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS

Responsibility: Each individual student

4.1 Examination timetable

a. You must be available during the Examination Periods listed in the Academic Year Dates each year.

b. You are responsible for ascertaining the times and venues of examinations in courses in which you are enrolled. These are available from Access Adelaide. You will not be notified directly of the examination timetable.

c. You are not entitled to sit an examination at another time, nor to resit an examination, nor to any other concession, when:

i. an examination conflicts with another commitment, or

ii. you fail to attend an examination through misreading the timetable or accepting incorrect information on the timetable from another person, or

iii. you are prevented from using a calculator or electronic device not approved by the Course Coordinator, or you misuse such a device, or the device fails to work

except as provided in the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy.

Note: Examinations are only held in overseas locations for students undertaking offshore courses, except as provided in the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy.

4.2 Consideration for others

Be considerate of others at all times. Avoid behaviours which may disturb other candidates. If, in the opinion of an examination supervisor, you are causing a disturbance, you may be required to leave the examination venue permanently, and you must leave.

4.3 Examination materials

Only bring to an examination those items which you need to undertake the examination.

a. Materials required

You must bring to each examination:

i. your current student ID card or other photo identification, and

ii. reasonable supplies of required writing implements, erasers etc.

b. Materials permitted

You may bring to each examination:

i. a small purse or wallet, including keys, money, ID/credit cards

ii. one clear bottle of clear water, up to 1-litre in size (water is available at the exam venue)

iii. a bag, provided it is kept closed and stored under your allocated desk for the duration of the examination. Bags are subject to inspection at any time before or during the exam.

iv. any materials specified by the Course Coordinator, as set out in the rubric of the examination paper

v. any materials permitted specifically for you under the Reasonable Adjustments to Teaching and Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy.

c. Materials not permitted

You must not bring into the examination venue any material which enables, or has the potential to enable, you or others to cheat or to gain an unfair academic advantage. Examples of materials which are not permitted include but are not limited to:

i. writing or other paper

ii. mobile telephones or other communication devices, unless they are switched off (being in silent mode is not acceptable) and placed on floor or in bag on floor under your desk.

iii. dictionaries, unless specifically permitted by the Course Coordinator, and then only in accord with the Course Coordinator's precise specifications

iv. textbooks, notes, reference materials, and printed or written matter of any kind, unless specifically permitted by the Course Coordinator, and then only in accordance with the Course Coordinator's precise specifications

v. electronic devices, unless specifically permitted by the Course Coordinator, and then only in accord with the Course Coordinator's precise specifications. Such devices must be self-powered, and operate quietly.

vi. any drinks other than clear water in a clear container.

d. Materials not to be removed

You must not remove from the examination venue any materials issued for use in the examination, or any copies of such materials. All such materials remain the property of the University, whether the materials were actually used or not. This includes scripts, answer books, question papers, and drawing and scribble paper.

e. Compliance

i. An announcement is made at the beginning of each examination about unauthorised materials. Provided you do so immediately, you may surrender such materials without penalty.

ii. Examination supervisors have authority to check for unauthorised materials, and you must comply with any request to present materials for inspection.

iii. If you bring unauthorised material into the examination:

- the examination supervisor may confiscate the material; and

- the examination supervisor may report you for a breach of this policy.

Note: Students with laptops for approved purposes will be seated at the rear of the examination venue to avoid disturbing other students.

4.4 General conduct in examination venue

a. Entering the examination venue

Only enter the examination venue when authorised to do so by an examination supervisor. This is usually 10 minutes before the scheduled examination start time.

Only students eligible to sit the examination and authorised staff members are permitted to enter the examination venue.

b. Displaying your ID

Display your student ID card or other photo ID on the top right hand corner of your desk.

i. If you do not have photo ID, a supervisor will attempt to verify your identity. This may involve taking a digital photo of you at the exam venue.

ii. If University examinations staff cannot verify your identity online at the venue, they will inform you, and you must provide photographic ID at the Examinations Office within 2 business days of the examination.

iii. Your exam results will be withheld until your ID is verified.

c. Entering or leaving after the examination starts

i. Except with the consent of an examination supervisor, you are not permitted to:

- leave the examination venue within the first 40 minutes of the start, nor

- enter the examination venue more than 40 minutes after the start, nor

- leave the examination venue temporarily for any reason. If you leave temporarily you must be accompanied by an examination supervisor or security officer. If you leave unaccompanied, the examination supervisor has absolute discretion to refuse to re-admit you to the venue.

ii. Once the 10-minute warning before the end of the examination is given, you must remain seated until an examination supervisor has collected your examination scripts and an examination supervisor announces that you may leave.

d. Reading time

Do not start writing in your examination book until the end of the 10-minute standard reading time is announced by an examination supervisor. Writing on scribble paper, if provided, is permitted.

Note: Some examinations have a longer permitted reading time but, unless specifically stated in the rubric of the examination paper, students may begin writing after 10 minutes. The end of longer reading times is not announced to avoid disturbing other students.

All reading time is added to the stated time allowed for students to complete the set questions and tasks. For example, an examination paper of 2 hours' duration with the standard reading time of 10 minutes will last for a total of 2 hours and 10 minutes; a paper of 3 hours' duration with a stated reading time of 30 minutes will last a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

e. Communication

If you need to communicate with an examination supervisor, raise your hand and wait for attention.

f. Supervisors' instructions

You must obey the instructions of any examination supervisor during the examination.

4.5 Examination interruptions

a. Power failure

If there is a power failure, stop writing when the examination supervisor advises you and await further advice. If the power failure is expected to last 30 minutes or less, you will be advised to remain seated and resume the examination when power is restored. The examination time will be extended by the length of the power failure. If the power failure is expected to last more than 30 minutes, the examination scripts will be collected and the examination terminated. You must leave the venue with your personal belongings.

b. Threats to safety

If there is any threat to physical safety and security, such as an explosion or fire, the examination will be terminated and all students and staff required to evacuate the examination venue. You must take only your personal belongings, and leave all examination materials on your desk. These will be collected by examination supervisors once an appropriate authority has declared the venue safe.

c. Assessment if an examination is terminated

The relevant Head of School will decide how assessment is to occur if the examination is terminated, and notify you by University email within 2 business days of the terminated examination.

The options include (but are not limited to):

i. assessment on the basis of the incomplete examination and other previous assessment, or

ii. another examination, or

iii. an alternative examination task in addition to or instead of the incomplete terminated examination.

4.6 Breaches of section 4

In addition to the actions which may be taken by examination supervisors under section 4, an allegation of a breach of section 4 may be referred to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) who in turn may refer the allegation for action under the Academic Dishonesty Procedures or the Rules for Student Conduct or both.

5. RESULTS

a. Course results are released online at Access Adelaide. Results are not released by telephone or email. You are responsible for checking your own results.

b. Information about the circumstances in which supplementary assessment may be granted is in the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy.

c. Only one official, final result is provided for each course, whether or not a supplementary assessment was necessary to achieve the result. Academic transcripts do not record supplementary assessments.

6. ASSESSMENT GRIEVANCES

Responsibility: each student

If you are dissatisfied with the mark awarded for a particular assessment task or with the final grade awarded for a course or with any penalties applied under this policy, refer to the Student Grievance Resolution Process.

DEFINITIONS

Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, laptop, tablet or handheld computers or readers, calculators, diaries, organisers, portable data storage devices (e.g. disks or memory sticks), mp3 and portable media players, voice recorders, cameras, camera pens, ebook readers, and electronic dictionaries.

Examination supervisor is a person designated by the Examinations Officer or a Head of School to formally supervise students sitting examinations.

PROCEDURES

The Academic Dishonesty Procedures apply when a breach of Section 2 is alleged.

Please use the following URL instead of linking to individual documents:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230