Academic Success
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means conducting yourself with honesty, fairness, and responsibility in all academic endeavours, both in your own work and while interacting with the ideas and contributions of others. You must properly credit the original creator for anything that is not your original work. This ensures that we give credit to the original creator for their ideas and hard work.
- The Basics of Academic Integrity for Graduate Students (7 min)
- Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism for Graduate Students (5 min)
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Academic Integrity- Definitions and discussion
The University of Regina’s online Academic Integrity Hub provides information on the University's policies and processes on academic integrity. It also provides important resources for both instructors and students regarding how to maintain academic integrity, avoid or prevent academic misconduct (such as cheating and plagiarism), and what to do in the event of suspected academic misconduct.
Forms of Academic Dishonesty
There is a significant difference between collaboration and collusion. Collaboration is working jointly with others and is often encouraged by course instructors. Collusion is working jointly with others when it is not permissible or when the instructor does not authorize working in a group.
Permissible collaboration includes:
- Group work that clearly follows the course director's instructions
- Sharing research findings or discussing course materials with other students when these contributions are fully acknowledged in one's individual work
In contrast, collusion includes:
- Working with another student on an assignment when working in groups has not been approved by the instructor.
- Dividing sections of an assignment or project among a group and then presenting it as work having been completed individually.
- Splitting the tasks for group assignments unevenly where some students do most of the work while others do very little.
It is a breach of academic honesty to fabricate (make up) research or results. This includes: statistics, experimental results or data, research methodology, facts, quotations, references or bibliographic material and research and the ideas of others.
It is also a violation of academic honesty to falsify information. This includes:
- "Massaging" or dishonest reporting of research, lab results or data1
- Starting from expected results and working backwards2
- Misrepresenting the research and ideas of others3
- "Falsely reporting having met the responsibilities for a course, practicum or internship."4
- Falsifying one′s attendance in a course or fieldwork5
- Falsifying letters of support or letters of reference
- Falsifying academic records and transcripts
- "Misrepresenting the amount of work one has contributed to group assignments and activities"6
- Falsifying doctors′ notes or other documentation related to petitions or missed work
- Modifying graded, returned material then submitting it for regrading
1 Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Fabrication (Science) URL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabrication_%28science%29 , retrieved March 20th, 2009.
2 Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Fabrication (Science) URL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabrication_%28science%29 , retrieved March 20th, 2009.
3 Brigham Young University, Honor Code, Fabrication or Falsification. URL:
http://honorcode.byu.edu/content/view/3565/, retrieved March 20th, 2009.
4 University of North Carolina Geensboro, Dean of Students, Academic Integrity. URL:
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/violation/falsify/ , retrieved March 20th, 2009.
5 University of North Carolina Geensboro, Dean of Students, Academic Integrity. URL:
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/violation/falsify/ , retrieved March 20th, 2009.
6 University of Guelph Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures, Academic Misconduct, Offences. 2008-2009 Undergraduate Calendar, VIII. URL:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c08/c08-amisconductoffen.shtml ,
retrieved March 20th, 2009.
Demonstrate Academic Integrity
There are two basic rules:
1) If you directly use someone else′s words, use quotation marks and give a complete reference.
2) Give a complete reference if you use someone else's:
- Idea, theory or opinion
- Music, drawings, designs, dance, photography and other artistic or technical work
- Tables, graphs or any other graphic element
- Facts and information that are not generally known
- Unusual or distinctive phrases, specialized terms, computer codes, quantitative data
- Spoken or written words
Your own ideas do not have to be referenced. Anything that you conclude from your research or that you think up on your own counts as your own idea. The exception to this is work that you have previously submitted in any course in the past. This must be referenced like any other source.
If your idea is similar to another author's, make it clear in your writing that you thought of this idea on your own, but you later discovered it in another source (example: "Similar conclusions are found in...")
Common knowledge does not have to be referenced. If the information meets the following criteria, it can usually be considered common knowledge:
- It appears in several sources without reference.
- It is not controversial. This means the information is generally considered as fact. (i.e. The earth orbits around the Sun.)
- If it is part of your thesis or main arguments, or it is the basis of your research, it must be referenced. If you have any doubts as to whether the information constitutes common knowledge, cite the source or consult your professor.
Direct Quotation: When incorporating another person's exact words into your work use a direct quotation. Be sure to place an opening quotation (“) when beginning the quote and a closing quotation (”) when ending the quote.
Paraphrasing or Summarizing: A paraphrase or summary uses your own words and sentence structure to explain someone else's idea or information obtained from another source (see example). You do not need to use quotation marks, however, you must acknowledge the originating source in your work with a citation. Failing to acknowledge a paraphrase implies that the writing represents your own original idea.
In order to ensure that you have adhered to the university's policies regarding academic integrity please work through the following checklist:
- I fully understand my instructor's requirements for group and individual assignments (when in doubt always ask).
- There is no section or component of my assignment, paper or research report that I do not understand (if you do not understand your own work it is, therefore, not in your own words, and has been plagiarized).
- I have kept my research notes, lab-sheets, outlines and early drafts (you may be asked to provide these to your instructor).
- My direct quotations have quotation marks (both opening and closing) and are fully referenced.
- All ideas used from other sources include citations.
- The reference entries in my bibliography/works cited/reference list corresponds with every idea/quote I have used.
- I have checked my work against my notes to be sure I have correctly referenced all direct quotes or borrowed ideas.
- Apart from material that is a direct quotation, everything else is in my own words.
- In paraphrasing the work from others I put the complete idea into my own words and did not just change a few words.
- I have checked all citations for accuracy (i.e. page numbers, dates, web page addresses).
- I have asked an instructor/TA/Librarian about how to include any material I was unsure how to document.
- I have used one recognized Reference Style (i.e. APA, MLA, Chicago etc.) consistently throughout my paper/work.
- I have accurately and completely described any data or evidence I have collected.
- I have kept my work to myself and did not share answers/content with others, unless otherwise directed by my instructor.
- This is the first time I have submitted this material for a course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Academic integrity is the term used to refer to some of the most important values of the university community. We hold high standards and expectations for the quality and honesty of our own work, and for the work of other members of the academic community. We rely on one another to live up to these standards because the quality and value of our own academic work depends on the trustworthiness of the work done by our colleagues. Academic work is like building blocks as the work of one academic builds upon another, therefore, it is imperative that we acknowledge and properly document the sources of information that we are using. This will also ensure that others can locate the original information if they want to know more.
The reputation of our academic work is founded on whether others can use it with confidence and feel confident that their own contributions will be acknowledged. Similarly, the reputation of our University and respect for the qualifications we gain from it are earned and maintained through the integrity of our work.
We affirm and clarify the general obligation for all members of the University to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty.
In practical terms, demonstrating academic integrity means:
- doing our academic work well and with honesty, and
- giving credit to other people′s work by indicating when we are using their ideas through citing (referencing) the original source.
See also our glossary for other definitions of terms contained used in this course.
What does this mean to me?
As a student, to have academic integrity means that you have adopted principles or standards that consistently govern how you pursue your school work. A student with academic integrity earns a degree with honest effort, and knows that this degree is a true accomplishment reflecting years of hard work and genuine learning. Academic integrity requires you to develop essential skills including research, writing and documenting.
It is not always easy to know what choices to make in school. There are many questions with answers that may be unclear to you:
- When is it acceptable to use other people′s information or ideas?
- How can I use other people's ideas without “cheating”?
- Can I use work I did last year in one of my courses this year?
- Can I share my answers/work/research with my friends?
In most situations it is okay to use other people's ideas in your own work provided the original authors have been properly acknowledged. There are some cases where all of your work must be your own such as when you are solving problems or completing specific assignments that indicate that all of the work must be your own.
In order to use other people's ideas without cheating you must acknowledge that the ideas you are using are not your own. You do this through the proper referencing of quotations, paraphrases, ideas, theories, charts, data, images and other information. As a general principle you must always indicate when you are using the work of others through proper referencing techniques. The only times you do not need to reference are when you are discussing your original research, your original ideas or when you are discussing that which is common knowledge. When in doubt ask your instructor.
Yes and no. You can use your work from previous years provided you clearly indicate what section(s) of your assignment, paper or report was completed for an earlier course. Many students (and even academic professionals) use old research as a "jumping-off" point for further inquiry. You must, however, have enough "new material" so that your current assignment, paper or report can be counted for academic credit. Simply handing in an old assignment for evaluation in another course is not acceptable. If you are going to reference previous academic work for an assignment in another course, always check with your instructor beforehand.
Yes and no. You can work with other students when the professor has announced that it is acceptable to do so. Often professors will encourage students to work in groups for specific projects. At all other times you must keep your work to yourself. This will ensure that you are not helping others to copy or misuse your work. It is academic misconduct to encourage, enable or cause others to commit a breach of academic honesty.
Policies and Procedures
University of Regina Regulations
The regulations affirm and clarify the general obligation for all members of the University to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty.
In particular, the policy:
- Recognizes the general responsibility of all faculty members to foster acceptable standards of academic conduct and of students to be mindful of and abide by such standards;
- Defines the types of conduct that are regarded as offences against the standards of academic honesty, including plagiarism, cheating, impersonation and other forms of academic misconduct;
- Defines the penalties that can be imposed on a student who is found to have committed plagiarism or any other form of academic misconduct;
- Outlines the procedures for dealing with students who are accused of violating the Regulations Governing Discipline for Academic and Non-academic Misconduct.
**IMPORTANT: a lack of familiarity with the Regulations cannot be used as a defence by those accused of academic misconduct. It is the STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY to become familiar with the regulations.
Types of Conduct
The types of conduct that are regarded as offences against standards of academic honesty include:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Improper research practices (falsifying lab results, padding bibliography, etc.)
- Obstruction of the academic activities of another (hindering fair access to library materials, theft of another student's notes, alteration/destruction of work by other students)
- Aiding and abetting another person in committing a breach of academic honesty
- Providing false or incomplete information or supporting documents/materials on an application for admission, re-admission or transfer;
- Providing false information to obtain a deferral of term work or examination;
- Altering or falsifying, or attempting to alter or falsify, grade information or other records of academic performance (one’s own or someone else’s);
- Obtaining or attempting to obtain an academic advantage by non-academic means such as bribes or threats;
- Behaviour that interferes with the evaluation of another student’s work, such as failure to participate in a group project.
The two acts listed below may also be considered to be academic misconduct unless authorized by the course instructor:
- Submitting the same work for credit in more than one course.
- Working jointly, with another student or group of students, on an assignment that is to be graded.
Range of Penalties
- reduction of a grade on an assignment, essay, report or examination
- notation on the student’s file
- zero credit on an assignment, essay, report or examination
- reduction of a grade in a course
- zero credit in a course
- a grade of XF (plagiarism)
- loss and/or repayment of scholarships and other awards
- requirement to take a course in ethics
- suspension or expulsion from a program
- suspension or expulsion from the University
- withholding or rescission of a credential
Penalties for acts of academic misconduct in connection with a particular course are assigned by the Dean or designate of the faculty offering the course. The penalty for other acts of academic misconduct is assigned by the Dean or designate of the student’s faculty or college.
FGSR Penalties
The penalty for an established case of plagiarism will be a zero (0) for the paper(s) and may be coupled to a final grade of "XF" for the course.
Procedures Governing Breach of Academic Honesty
Formal appeals, other than formal reassessments of grades, must first be submitted to the Department. If the Department’s resolution of the appeal is believed to be inappropriate or unjust, you may then submit an appeal to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Disagreement or dissatisfaction with the Department’s resolution is not sufficient grounds for appealing to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research; you must demonstrate that the decision was unfair or biased or otherwise deserving to be reversed. If you are not satisfied with the Dean's decision, you may appeal to the Council Committee on Student Appeals. This appeal must be made within four weeks of receiving the adverse decision. If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Council Committee on Student Appeals, he or she may appeal to the Senate’s Appeal Committee. This appeal must be made within four weeks of receiving the adverse decision from the Council Committee on Student Appeals. The Senate’s Appeal Committee is the final level of appeal.
Students may appeal the imposition or severity of a penalty for misconduct (academic or non-academic) to the Council Discipline Committee. Requests for a hearing must be submitted, in writing and within 30 days of the date of imposition of the penalty, to the University Secretary.
Students who have been expelled for misconduct may submit an application for readmission and letter of petition to the Council Discipline Committee. If their petition is approved by the Committee, students must still meet the academic requirements for admission, readmission or transfer to their chosen faculty.
At the discretion of the Registrar, an applicant who has been dismissed for disciplinary reasons from another post-secondary institution may be required to petition to the Council Discipline Committee and receive permission to apply for admission or renewal before being considered on academic grounds. If the applicant is admitted, the previous dismissal may be considered in any future proceedings for misconduct.
Council Committee on Student Appeals - Terms of Reference
1. Appeals by students in connection with academic decisions of any Faculty will be heard by the Council Committee on Student Appeals except for matters of discipline, which will be heard by the Council Discipline Committee. Matters such as grades assigned for individual classes or credits given for classes transferred from other institutions will usually not be considered by the Council Committee on Student Appeals.
2. Students must apply, in writing, to appeal academic decisions to the Council Committee on Student Appeals. Applications are to be made to the University Secretary within 30 days of the Faculty decision.
3. Grounds for an appeal to the Council Committee on Student Appeals should be based on one or more of the following:
a) There is additional relevant information, which was not considered at the Faculty level.
b) There was a problem in procedure at the Faculty level.
c) The substance of the case was not considered correctly at the Faculty level. For example, relevant rules and regulations were applied incorrectly.
d) Even if relevant rules and regulations were applied correctly the resulting decision is unfair or unreasonable in the circumstances.
4. Students appealing to the Council Committee on Student Appeals have a right to a fair hearing in accordance with the rules of administrative justice. This includes the right to be notified of hearings, the right to be present and represented at the hearings, the right to present arguments, the right to question the Dean/designate and the right to be advised of the hearing outcome.
5. Decisions of the Council Committee on Student Appeals can be appealed to the Senate Appeals Committee under Section 33 (1) (e) of The University of Regina Act and The University of Regina Senate By-Laws.
6. The meeting dates of the Council Committee on Student Appeals will be pre-set for each semester to consider appeals pertaining to the previous semester and additionally as required at the discretion of the University Secretary.
7. The Council Committee on Student Appeals will report at least annually on its activities to Executive of Council.
Senate Appeals Committee
If the student or the University officer is dissatisfied with the decision of the Council Discipline Committee, either may appeal the decision to the Senate Appeals Committee. The onus is on the appellant to demonstrate that the decision of the Council Discipline Committee was manifestly unfair or contrary to the evidence presented at the Council Discipline Committee hearing. No witnesses are permitted, and no new evidence is entertained.
Records
When a final disciplinary decision (after the expiry of all appeal periods or completion of any appeals) involves a grade of XF, or suspension or expulsion, or withholding or rescission of a credential, a copy of the disciplinary decision shall be provided to the Registrar's Office for action with respect to the student record. Acts of misconduct that are penalized by a grade of XF, suspension, expulsion, or the withholding or rescission of a credential are recorded permanently on the student’s official transcript.
A record of all substantiated cases of misconduct is retained permanently by the University Secretary. A University official who is determining the penalty for an offence is permitted access to the record of previous or concurrent acts of misconduct by the same student. The University may retain indefinitely on the Faculty’s and/or Registrar’s student file any correspondence or other documentation pertaining to cases of misconduct.