Academic misconduct

The term academic misconduct is often used synonymously with plagiarism, but may also include the following:

• collusion
• cheating in examinations
• falsifying data
• piracy.

The sector is far from consensus on any of these terms. This listing cites a small selection of the literature, plus some practical materials; the focus is on plagiarism because this is the aspect of misconduct most frequently discussed.

Key texts

• Exploring conceptions: This is a selection of papers offering an overview of the discussion around conceptions of plagiarism. 
• Advising on practices: The focus of practice advice is on plagiarism, rather than other forms of academic misconduct

How to…

• Start Using Turnitin
• Interpret Turnitin Originality Reports
• Use Turnitin Developmentally

If you find an instance of possible plagiarism and are not sure what to do, please contact the module or programme leader.

Tool kits

• Identifying academic misconduct: case exemplars for staff
• Student Authorship Project
• TurnitinUK plagiarism detection service
• Plagiarism Badger and Harvard Referencing Ferret
  

Case studies
Shiva D Sivasubramaniam (2004) Plagiarism amongst Bio-medical Science undergraduates - concerned academics versus ignorant students, Plagiarism: Prevention, Practice and Policy Conference. St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne 28-30 June. Newcastle: Northumbria University Press, pp 205-223.

There are two other papers by Shiva available for download:

• Undergraduate plagiarism: how much do bio-medical sciences students know?
• Assisting students to avoid plagiarism: the role of formative workshops.

NTU regulations and guidance

• Policy and procedures for Academic Appeals and Misconduct (Academic Handbook)
• Academic Misconduct: Code of Practice
• Policy for Investigating and Adjudicating on Alleged Research Misconduct
• Student Academic Appeals Procedure

HEA resources on plagiarism

You might also be interested in…

• Improving your Academic Writing