About Academic Integrity

1. About Academic Integrity

2. What is academic integrity?

3. Academic integrity (學術誠信) refers to the honest and ethical manner in which academic work is done, whether it is an assignment, an examination, an oral presentation, or a research project or report. It is a fundamental value that all students at PolyU are expected to uphold.

4. Some forms of academic misconduct include: • Cheating (作弊) • e.g. copying from unauthorised materials during an exam • Plagiarism (抄襲; 剽竊) • i.e. using others’ words or ideas as one’s own without due acknowledgement This might be new to you

5. Some forms of academic misconduct include (cont’d): • Falsification (竄改) & fabrication (捏造) • e.g. making up research data or editing experiment results to make one’s work look more favourable • Aiding academic dishonesty • e.g. writing an assignment for a classmate • Unpermitted collaboration or help e.g. asking someone to write or rewrite your essay for you

6. Why is it important to ensure academic integrity in our work?

7. Reason #1 Doing honest work allows us to learn to think for ourselves and get the most out of our learning. Reason #2 We want to learn in a fair and honest environment at the University (it is not fair to others if a student gets a better grade by cheating). Let’s do it fair and square!

8. Reason #3 We need to respect and follow the code of practice in the academia and the profession in which we are engaged. For example, if we use other people’s ideas or words without acknowledging the source, we will infringe on their intellectual property rights. I should have ensured integrity in my work!

9. Reason #4 Upholding integrity in our work enhances our credibility as reliable and honest members of the University and the community – a desirable quality employers seek after in employees. It also protects the reputation of the University and our fellow students. Thank you. PolyU students always do honest work. I’d like to hire you!

10. What are the consequences of violating academic integrity at PolyU?

11. PolyU takes a VERY SERIOUS stance on academic dishonesty. Depending on the seriousness, different disciplinary actions will be taken, e.g. • reprimand/warning • fail grade for assignment/subject • lowering of classification award on graduation • suspension • expulsion • other penalties as considered appropriate

12. Are there any resources and help at PolyU for learning about academic integrity?

13. Of course! • Resources on academic integrity • Student Handbook • Online Tutorial on Academic Integrity • Resources on avoiding plagiarism • The booklet About Plagiarism and How to Avoid It: Hot Tips for PolyU Students • PolyU English Language Centre (ELC) • PolyU Library – RefWorks • Electronic plagiarism prevention and detection tools: Turnitin & SafeAssign

14. “Turnitin” & “SafeAssign”? What are they?

15. They are online plagiarism prevention and detection tools. • These electronic tools can detect • plagiarism in a piece of work. • You may be required by your subject • teacher to submit your work to these • systems for checking potential or • suspected plagiarism.

16. Here’s how these systems work: Your work is compared to billions of sources and referenced materials including websites, professional publications, student essay cheat sites and other student work including that of your classmates. 2 1 Your work is submitted to the detection system. Plagiarism detection system An originality report is made on every piece of submitted work. Any text matches found in the detection system’s databases are highlighted and linked to the sources. 3 Originality Report 4 Your teacher can review the originality report and determine if plagiarism has occurred or not.

17. PolyU has introduced the use of Turnitin and SafeAssign to help students to be more aware of plagiarism and improve their work. • Both systems are available in • LEARN@PolyU (理學網). For more • information on how to use the systems, • refer to: • Quick Student Guide to Using Turnitin • Assignment with LEARN@PolyU(理學網) • Quick Student Guide to Using SafeAssign with LEARN@PolyU(理學網) • http://edc.polyu.edu.hk/PSP/SG_Turnitin.pdf • http://edc.polyu.edu.hk/PSP/SG_SafeAssign.pdf

18. Online Tutorial on Academic Integrity FAQ

19. Q: How to access it? • A: Step 1 Log in to LEARN@PolyU(理學網) at http://learn.polyu.edu.hk • using your PolyU Net ID • and password. • Step 2 Go to “My Courses” and click • the link to Online Tutorial on Academic Integrity. • Step 3 Follow the instructions on how to use the tutorial. Use the left hand menu to guide you.

20. Q: What are the completion requirements? • A: To successfully complete the Tutorial, • you will need to: • 1. Attempt the Pre-test • 2. Read all 4 modules • 3. Pass the Post-test i.e. score at • least 75% (15 out of 20) • 4. Sign the Honour Declaration • You will receive an eCertificate upon successful completion. Yay!

21. Q: Where can we find more information? A: More information on the Online Tutorial on Academic Integrity is available from Online Tutorial on Academic Integrity: A Student Guide http://edc.polyu.edu.hk/PSP/SG_Tutorial.pdf