Student Tips to Support Academic Integrity

What is Academic Misconduct:

Cheating:
1. Copying answers from or looking at another student’s exam.

2. Using or possessing any material not expressly permitted during an exam, such
as prior tests, notes, books, prohibited calculators etc.

3. Using electronic devices such as cell phones, digital cameras, data storage
devices, computers, internet, or other electronic devices unless expressly
permitted.

4. Having someone else take an exam for you or asking someone during an exam
for answers to a test/exam.

5. Contract Cheating: contracting someone else to do the work you should be

doing, often in exchange for money or favours. This can include, but is not limited
to: buying a paper (or a portion thereof) online; working with others on a take-
home exam; accessing support online through another IP, during an assessment.

6. Submission of work done by others.

7. The use of artificial Intelligence when completing assessments, papers, and/or

other assignments unless expressly told that it is allowed.

8. Giving or selling assessment materials to others.

9. Impersonation another person to complete an academic activity.

10. Unauthorized use of another individual's computer login ID and password.

Plagiarism:
1. Copying parts of a text word for word, without quotation marks, and proper
citation.

2. Paraphrasing a text by changing a few words or altering the sentence structure,

without citing the source.
 3. Giving incorrect information about a source.

4. Quoting so much from a source that it makes up the majority of your text.

5. Reusing work you have submitted for a previous assignment, without citing
yourself.

6. Contract Cheating: Submitting a text written entirely by someone else (e.g., a

paper you bought from a ghostwriter)

7. The use of artificial Intelligence when completing assessments, papers, and/or

other assignments unless expressly told that it is allowed.

What can Students do to ensure they are not unintentionally committing

Academic Misconduct:
If you are unsure about any assessment expectation, ensure that you ask your
Instructor for clarification, before beginning the assessment.

If you are completing an online course and are expected to conduct Environmental
Scans prior to assessment, make sure that you know how to do this properly. Ask your
Instructor for clarification and/or a demonstration.

Rules for On-Line Test Taking to Ensure Academic Integrity:

• Conduct a full and proper environmental scan

• You must use a functioning webcam and microphone

• Do not leave the computer, or shut off your webcam, once the test has begun

• The door, to the room you are taking the test in, should be closed

• No one else should be in the room with you

• If you are taking the test in an open area, such as a kitchen or living room, you
must ensure that you will be free from interruption by others (no-one should enter
your test area when you are on-line and taking your assessment)
o If you do not have access to a private space in your residence, you may
be able to book an appropriate space on campus, please visit Login -
 MyNAIThtp://www.my.nait.ca/ (click on: Academic Support; Collaboration
Rooms) or at a public library

 No cell phones or other secondary devices in the room or test area

 Your test taking area must be clear of any materials except those permitted by
the Instructor

 No talking

 The testing room must be well-lit and you must be clearly visible

 No dual screens/monitors

 Do not leave the view of the camera

 No use of additional applications or internet

 If you require any special consideration (ie: bathroom breaks due to a medical
condition) ensure you discuss this with your Instructor prior to any on-line
assessments, in order to follow any process required.

 If you experience any technical issues while writing the exam, take note of the
date and time, and send an email to your Instructor to notify them of the issue.
Continue to complete the assessment, if possible.

What does a proper Environmental Scan look like?

An external webcam is best for this (particularly if you are using a desk top computer
that can not be easily moved), as you need to show a complete view of the environment
that you are in while taking an on-line assessment. Webcams may be borrowed from
the NAIT library. Please go to on the NAIT homepage at www.nait.ca (click on: Student
Life; Library Services; Loanable Equipment) for information on that process

• Your webcam should show your entire face, arms, hands, and work space
(including any surfaces such as a desk or table), for the entire duration of the
assessment.

• Move your camera slowly to show:

o A full 360 degree view of the room you are taking the test in
o The top (and underside) of your work space and any surfaces
 o All materials on your work space (both sides of any papers should be
shown, as well at the underside of any materials such as approved
calculators)
o The floor around and under your work space.

Test Taking Do’s and Don’ts:

DO DON’T
• Clarify any questions you have, • Leave your questions
about the assessment, in unanswered, and make
advance assumptions about assessment
requirements

• Keep your eyes on your own • Look at other Students or their

work work areas

• A thorough and complete • Conduct a poor or rushed

environmental scan (on-line) environmental scan (on-line)

• Ensure understanding of • Make assumptions as to what

allowable materials, devices, materials or devices you are
and what you may access permitted to use or access

• Make sure you won’t be • Complete an assessment with

interrupted others in the room (on-line)

• Have a clear work area • Have unnecessary items on

your workspace

FAQ’s:
What is Academic Integrity and why is it important?

Academic Integrity is a commitment to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness,

respect, responsibility, and courage in the learning environment.

Academic Integrity refers to the honest and ethical expectation required, in the
completion of your academic work. This means that you will only submit work that is
your own, that meets the expected parameters of the assessment; and work that is not
your own is accurately attributed.
Acting with Academic Integrity is how your instructors will fairly evaluate your
performance and progress and is critical in order to support the development of your
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities; as well as the credibility of the credential you are
working towards.

What is Academic Misconduct?

Academic Misconduct is an offence against the academic integrity of the learning
environment. Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to Plagiarism, Cheating,
Misrepresentation, and the Facilitation of Academic Dishonesty.

What constitutes Cheating?

Cheating includes the use of unauthorized materials or information, copying from an
unauthorized source, unpermitted collaboration or consultation with others, presenting
false results, or contract cheating- when a third party completes assessments, with or
without payment, for a student.

What constitutes Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is intentionally or unintentionally representing assignments, ideas, words,
data, photos, or work, that have been taken from another source, or completed by
another person, as your own. Ideas from another source without citation are considered
plagiarized even if paraphrased. This does not include facts that are common
knowledge.

My Instructor has contacted me about Academic Misconduct, now what happens?

You will have an opportunity to meet with your Instructor in person or via Teams (or you
may respond by email, if you prefer) to explain your perspective. If you have any
evidence to support your perspective, it is important to provide that to your Instructor as
well.
After hearing from you, your Instructor will review all information presented and will
render a decision, based on a Balance of Probabilities (it is more likely to have occurred
than not), of Responsible or Not Responsible for Academic Misconduct.
If you are found Not Responsible, the matter is documented and concluded. A finding of
Not Responsible has no impact on the student.
If you are found Responsible then the Instructor will assign an appropriate sanction(s),
which may be up to a grade of 0 on that assessment. The matter will be documented
and records kept.
Repeat incidents of Academic Misconduct may result in higher or additional Sanctions
being imposed, up to and including Expulsion or the rescinding of a credential.

Is there an Appeal process if I don’t agree with the Instructor finding me

Responsible for Academic Misconduct?
The Instructor’s decision is final unless one or more of the following Appeal criteria is
met.
Appeals for academic misconduct will be granted by the Academic Integrity Liaison (or
designate) if one of the following conditions is demonstrated by the student, based on a
balance of probabilities:
1.) The decision or sanction was demonstrably biased.
2.) New information has become available that would change the
outcome of the case.
3.) The appropriate process was not followed, was demonstrably
unfair, or flawed.

Students must submit an Academic Misconduct Appeal Form, within 10 business days
of receiving an Academic Misconduct Decision Letter, to the Academic Integrity Liaison
at academicintegrity@nait.ca

I have questions about Academic Integrity, who can I speak with?

You may speak with:
• your Instructor; and/or
• the Academic Integrity Liaison by email at academicintegrity@nait.ca and/or
• the Student Academic Rights Advisor (NAIT’s Student Association) by email at
studentrights@naitsa.ca

I have questions about NAIT Policy and/or Procedure relating to Academic

Integrity, where can I seek clarification?
The Academic Integrity Policy and the Academic Misconduct Procedure may be found
on the NAIT homepage at www.nait.ca (click on: About NAIT; Corporate Structure; Legal
Policies & Reporting)
If you have additional questions after reading these documents, please speak with:
• your Instructor; and/or
• the Academic Integrity Liaison by email at academicintegrity@nait.ca and/or
• the Student Academic Rights Advisor (NAIT’s Student Association) by email at
studentrights@naitsa.ca
*Resources used in the crea�on of this document have been taken from:

www.honorlock.com

www.scribbr.com htps://www.scribbr.com/plagiarism/how-do-plagiarism-checkers-work/