Understanding Academic Dishonesty: What is Academic Dishonesty?

Academic Dishonesty 

Academic dishonesty, academic misconduct, academic fraud and academic integrity are related concepts that refer to various actions on the part of students that go against the expected norms of a learning institution.  (Source: Wikipedia)

Plagiarism

an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author  (Source: Dictionary.com)

Paraphrase

a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form, as for clearness; rewording. (Source: Dictionary.com)

Intellectual property

Law - property that results from original creative thought, as patents, copyright material, and trademarks. (Source: Dictionary.com)

Plagiarism is making use of other people's ideas, words, creative works and expressions without giving credit or otherwise listing the source of the information.

Plagiarism is also misrepresentation and includes handing in someone else's work, ideas, or answers as your own. Regardless of whether it happens inadvertently through hasty research or on purpose through unethical choices, it is plagiarism just the same. 

Examples of Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Cheating

• Obtaining information from another student during an examination
• Communicating information to another student during an examination
• Knowingly allowing another student to copy one's own work
• Offering another person's work as one's own
• Taking an examination for another student or having someone take an examination for one's self
• Sharing answers for a collaborative project and take-home examination unless specifically authorized by the instructor
• Using unauthorized material during an examination
• Altering a graded examination or assignment and returning it for additional credit
• Having another person or a company do the research, writing and/or rewriting of an assigned paper or report
• Misreporting or altering the data in laboratory or research projects

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is to present as one's own, the ideas, words, or creative product of another. Credit must be given to the source for direct quotations, paraphrases, ideas, and facts, which are not common knowledge. Plagiarism also includes using print, electronic, or other source material without acknowledgment or in any way that makes such material appear as one's own.

Other Dishonest Conduct

• Stealing or attempting to steal an examination or answer key
• Stealing or attempting to change official academic records
• Submitting all or parts of the same work for credit in more than one course without consulting all instructors involved
• Intentionally impairing the performance of other students and/or a faculty member, for example, by adulterating lab equipment, by creating a distraction meant to impair performance, or by theft or mutilation of library material.
• Forging or altering attendance records

Collusion

Collusion occurs when any student knowingly or intentionally helps another student perform an act of academic dishonesty. Collusion in an act of academic dishonesty and will be disciplined in the same manner as the act itself.

Source: OCC 2018-2019 Faculty Handbook.