Academic Misconduct

Every student at UOS is expected to submit their own work, without falsification and include referencing.

 

What does Academic Misconduct include?

 

Plagiarism – Your work should be your own. Where you use or try to represent someone else’s ideas, whether that is an image, text, diagram, you should reference this appropriately. You can also be accused of self-plagiarism if you submit work that is your own, but which you have previously submitted under another assessment. Collusion – This is a type of plagiarism which involves producing work by working with someone else where this has not been authorised. This can include students lending each other their work, and paying someone else to do your work for you.

Fabrication – This includes manipulating the results of any research you conduct and which you intend to use in your assessment. It can also include presenting false evidence to the University when submitting a request for extenuating circumstances or making an application for recognition of prior learning, and falsifying entries or signatures in records of attendance, timesheets and assessment or practise in placement.

Cheating – This includes any behaviour which puts you at an unfair advantage in an assessment, whether that is by trying to obtain exam papers prior to an exam, bribing invigilators or taking in electronic devices into an exam room where these are not permitted.

Failure to have ethical approval – It’s your responsibility to apply for ethical approval before embarking on research activity that could require it. Speak to your course or module leader, or your personal tutor for advice.

 

What happens if I’m accused of academic misconduct?

 

If your course leader suspects academic misconduct, they will consider the evidence provided and decide whether:

No offense has been committed

There is insufficient evidence of an offence

There is poor academic practice

There is sufficient evidence that an offense has been committed

If you receive a formal allegation of misconduct you will receive a letter within 10 working days. OSACC will ask you to provide a written statement, confirmation of whether you would like to attend an investigate meeting of the Academic Misconduct panel (attendance is not compulsory), and any relevant evidence. We can provide you with advice on how to write your statement.

The panel will take it that you are accepting the allegation if you do not submit a statement. If you do not reply within 10 working days of receiving the letter, it is deemed to be of acceptance of the allegation.

 

How does the Panel decide if an offence has been committed and what penalty should apply?

The Panel will base their decision on the severity of the offence, what your intention was, whether or not it is your first offence, what year you were in, and whether there were any extenuating circumstances that would have affected the course of action you took.

You will normally receive a letter within 5 working days of the panel meeting, which will include the outcome and whether a penalty will apply.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Panel, you can appeal using the Academic Appeals procedure, within 10 working days of being notified of the outcome.

Relevant links:

Academic Misconduct Policy

Preparation and Conduct of Examinations Policy

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