Academic Integrity

Detection

• Constant attention to details of prevention strategies.
• Student involvement.

Prevention Strategies

• Stress students' ethical and moral responsibilities to avoid cheating and to help prevent others from cheating.
• Clarify policies regarding cheating and penalties for those who do cheat.
• Set up a "hotline" where students can anonymously report incidents of cheating.
• Individually counsel students caught cheating or suspected of cheating. This may prevent future cheating.

Detection

• Student's responses seem beyond abilities.
• Pattern of wrong answers by students known to associate with each other.

Prevention Strategies

• Test should be secured in safe place by instructor from formation to administration.
• When word processing or design software is used in test preparation, avoid leaving the information on the computer. If possible, place the information on a detachable drive which can be secured in a safe place.
• Tests should be original, not repetitions of exams given in previous semesters.

1. Copying, crib sheets, passing answers

Detection

• Do not leave the classroom during the test.
• Carefully proctor exams and walk around the room.

Prevention Strategies

• When giving multiple choice or short answer tests, alternate test forms should be used if at all possible. A computer can be used to scramble questions and create an answer key for each different test.
• Spread students out as much as possible.
• All books, papers, and personal belongings should be stored under the students' seats or, preferably, in the front of the classroom.
• Paper should be provided for the test answers and any scratch work. Staple together answer sheets and scratch paper prior to distribution with answer sheet on bottom. Do not permit papers to be unstapled.
• If blue books are to be used, require students to turn them in blank during the class period prior to the test. The books can be re-distributed at the start of the test.
• Be alert for name similarities and use of electronic devices. True/False and multiple choice tests are particularly vulnerable to this type of cheating.
• Do not permit any verbal or nonverbal communication between students.
• Test pick-up: have students leave their test package on their desks. This will prevent switching papers and will allow detection of copying from neighbors by answer patterns.

2. "Ringer" Taking the Test for Another Student

Detection

• Carefully proctor exams.
• Check student IDs.

Prevention Strategies

• Have each student display their photo ID on the desk.
• Check for substitutions.
• Have each student hand in the test personally and present his/her ID. The instructor, having inspected the ID, checks the class roster, the names on the test, and initials the test.

3. "Stooge" who sits in on exam and leaves with test.

Detection

• Be vigilant; try to watch each exit. If possible, secure proctor assistance.
• Check IDs early.

Prevention Strategies

• Number all tests before distribution. Be sure all tests are returned. If one is missing, be sure it does not show up later.
• If a student needs to leave the room during a test, have him/her hand in the exam until he/she returns.

1. Turning in lifted exam as test taken in class

Detection

• Close observation

Prevention Strategies

• Do not leave exams or grade book on the desk or in the open unattended. Keep in a locked, safe place.
• If a test is discovered missing at end of exam, be sure it does not reappear as completed test.

2. Changing Grades or Changing Answers on Exams

Detection

• Photocopy the tests of those suspected of cheating before handing them back.

Prevention Strategies

• Mark grades in grade book prior to returning tests.
• Warn students that some exams will be photocopied before returning to detect changes.
• If grades are placed on a computer, ensure that security is of the highest level. Place grades on a disc or detachable drive, if possible, so that it can be safely locked up.

Detection

• Solution done in a way not covered by instructor.
• Looks "professional."

Prevention Strategies

• Avoid giving take-home tests.
• Require oral presentation.

1. Copying solutions from instructor's manual.

Detection

• Compare solutions with manual.

Prevention Strategy

• Change to a book with no manual.

2. Copying solutions from fellow students or from old sets from previous semesters

Detection

• Careful grading; look for similarities.

Prevention Strategies

• Count homework as only a small percentage of the final grade, or not at all.
• Give different homework assignments each semester.

3. Getting report done by an expert

Detection

• Solutions done in a way not covered by instructor.

Prevention Strategy

• Ask for oral presentation.

Detection

• Look for significant fluctuations in writing style.
• Looks "professional."
• Look for work that appears to be clearly beyond student's ability.

Prevention Strategies

• Place limits on topic selection.
• Avoid topics that are "too general"; this decreases likelihood of using a "paper mill."
• Change topic lists frequently.
• Establish a precise format for the paper and stick to it.
• Require a tentative bibliography early in the term.
• Require library location numbers.
• Require an advance outline of paper.
• Do not permit late topic changes.
• Give a pop test on basic knowledge.
• Require notes and rough drafts.
• Keep original papers on file for five years.
• Use in-class writing assignments.

1. You should confront the student(s) directly, discuss the situation and then assign your own penalty accordingly. Penalties can include: requesting the student to re-do the work, assigning the student a failing grade for the assignment, or assigning a lower or failing grade for the course.
2. You can report to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management that you discovered cheating or plagiarism and handled it. (This allows the university to maintain statistics and detect patterns of cheating from individual students).
3. You can request the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management to assign a coordinator of student discipline to investigate the case.

Student Conduct Procedures for Student Discipline are outlined here.