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[2024] Academic Integrity Tutorial: Consolidate Your Understanding

Intentional and Unintentional Academic Misconduct

  At the end of this section, you should be able to recognize the responsibilities you have as a member of the university community in upholding academic integrity.

Academic misconduct can be divided into two categories: intentional and unintentional. Intentional misconduct refers to deliberate violations of the rules and is relatively easy to identify and avoid. On the other hand, unintentional misconduct may be more challenging to recognize and prevent, as it often stems from a lack of awareness or understanding of academic integrity rules and expectations. Remember, pleading ignorance is not an acceptable excuse, and the onus is on students to understand and follow the academic integrity expectations in each of their courses and for each of their assessments.

Watch this video about intentional and unintentional misconduct and the tips for maintaining academic integrity.

Misconduct Adjudication Activity

In this activity you will practice identifying cases of academic misconduct especially where there may be ambiguity. Use pages 6 and 7 of the Regulations to analyze each scenario.

Student A wrote an excellent paper in a high school psychology class. They decide to use that paper as an introduction to their first year psychology paper. They do not include a citation because it is their own work.
Misconduct: 15680 votes (78.67%)
Not Misconduct: 3250 votes (16.31%)
Not Sure: 1002 votes (5.03%)
Total Votes: 19932
Student B worked collaboratively with a friend on a take-home exam after being told by their friend that they have consent from the instructor to do so.
Misconduct: 9667 votes (48.88%)
Not Misconduct: 8637 votes (43.67%)
Not Sure: 1472 votes (7.44%)
Total Votes: 19776
Student C was running out of time and forgot to note the page number for a quotation used in their essay. They need to submit the assignment on time, so they make-up the page number assuming the prof won't notice or check.
Misconduct: 17836 votes (94.5%)
Not Misconduct: 657 votes (3.48%)
Not Sure: 381 votes (2.02%)
Total Votes: 18874
Student D used images from a website; they claimed they had found no copyright information either on the images or elsewhere on the site.
Misconduct: 15477 votes (82.06%)
Not Misconduct: 2030 votes (10.76%)
Not Sure: 1354 votes (7.18%)
Total Votes: 18861
Student E required a medical note to be excused from an exam but could not get an appointment with the doctor on the day of the exam. They decide to alter the date on the medical note.
Misconduct: 17906 votes (96.99%)
Not Misconduct: 361 votes (1.96%)
Not Sure: 195 votes (1.06%)
Total Votes: 18462
Student F worked collaboratively on an assignment with several classmates. Pressed for time, they decide to split up parts of the assignment and then put it together later to submit individually.
Misconduct: 14829 votes (79.65%)
Not Misconduct: 3020 votes (16.22%)
Not Sure: 769 votes (4.13%)
Total Votes: 18618
Student G missed a test due to illness. They receive information about the format of the test from a classmate in order to prepare for the makeup test.
Misconduct: 16200 votes (88.07%)
Not Misconduct: 1814 votes (9.86%)
Not Sure: 380 votes (2.07%)
Total Votes: 18394
Student H’s lab report was damaged, and so they alter their lab data to complete an assignment.
Misconduct: 17711 votes (96.07%)
Not Misconduct: 448 votes (2.43%)
Not Sure: 277 votes (1.5%)
Total Votes: 18436

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