What is academic integrity?

What is Academic Integrity?

Academic Integrity means “acting with the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility in learning, teaching and research” (Universities Australia, 2017).

Universities consider that it is vital for students and all staff to act in an honest way and take responsibility for their actions and every part of their work. Staff should be role models to students. Academic integrity is important for an individual’s and a university’s reputation (Bretag and Mahmud, 2014).

Breaches of academic integrity are known as academic misconduct or academic dishonesty.

“Academic integrity lies at the very heart of any university. Without academic integrity, there can be no reputation for either individuals or the institution. To build a culture of academic integrity demands commitment from the whole of the university community. At Bond, we embrace this challenge and expect every student, staff member and alumni, and regardless of the circumstances, to act with integrity.

The seven fundamental principles of integrity that underpin our approach are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, courage and professionalism. I urge every person to know, understand and live these principles – they should underpin your behaviour as a student, as a professional, as an individual, and as a member of society.”

Vice Chancellor and President, Bond University - Professor Tim Brailsford

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Did you know?

All students at Australian universities are expected to uphold the principles of Academic Integrity during their studies.
Students found guilty of academic misconduct risk failing their subjects, being expelled, or facing criminal charges.
Students are required to understand the rules and expectations of Academic Integrity before accepting an offer and commencing study in Australia. This is why all new students complete the online Academic Integrity Module.
The requirements for universities to have robust policies, procedures and processes which ensure academic integrity are legislated in The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 and The Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.
If a higher education provider loses its reputation for integrity, its existence is jeopardised.
Academic Integrity expectations at Australian universities may differ from those at high schools or overseas institutions.

The Principles of Academic Integrity

Honesty

Honesty The quality of being honest, free from fraud or deception, legitimate, truthful (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) Honesty allows for and encourages the development of trust, which grows over time and with experience and is built on a foundation of actions rather than words (ICAI, 2021). Honesty is at the core of integrity. Trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility cannot be achieved without honesty (ICAI, 2014). How do you demonstrate academic honesty Be truthful, provide facts and keep promises, give credit and recognise the owners of original work (ICAI, 2021).
Trust

Trust Assured reliance on character, ability, strength, or mental accountability; reliability, trustworthiness (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) Students promote trust by preparing work that is honest, thoughtful, and genuine (ICAI, 2021). How do you demonstrate trust Clearly state expectations and follow through; trust others, follow rules and model good behaviour; create, understand and respect personal boundaries (ICAI, 2021).
Fairness

Fairness The quality or state of being fair, especially fair; impartial treatment, lack of favouritism toward one side or another (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) How to demonstrate fairness Engage with others equitably, keep an open mind, be objective, and take responsibility for your own actions. As an institution, consistently apply rules and policies and respond to dishonesty and integrity breaches (ICAI, 2021).
Respect

Respect High or special regard, esteem; the quality or state of being esteemed (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) "Cultivating environments in which all members show and enjoy respect is both an individual and a collective responsibility" (ICAI, 2021). How to demonstrate respect Practise active listening, show empathy, acknowledge the contributions of others, recognise the consequences of our words and actions on others, value diversity of opinions and appreciate the need to challenge, test, and refine ideas (ICAI, 2021).
Responsibility

Responsibility The quality or state of being responsible for moral, legal, or mental accountability; reliability, trustworthiness (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). “When we take responsibility for the work we produce, we give it credibility. Without credibility, there is no point in doing the work." ~Deb Eerkes, ICAI Leader (ICAI, 2014). “Every member of an academic community – each student, faculty member, and administrator – is responsible for safeguarding the integrity of its scholarship, teaching and research” (ICAI 2014). How to demonstrate responsibility As a student, you can demonstrate responsibility by holding yourself accountable for your learning and education. This includes being responsible for your own actions as well as having the courage to stand up against others when they fail to uphold the values of the group (ICAI, 2021).
Courage

Courage The mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear and difficulty (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others” ~ Aristotle (ICAI, 2014). Courage is the willingness to hold yourself and others accountable for maintaining a culture of integrity (ICAI, 2021). How to demonstrate courage Be brave even when others are not, take risk or endure discomfort for something you believe in (ICAI, 2021). This is leadership.
Professionalism

Professionalism The conduct, aims, or qualities that characterise or mark a profession or a professional person. How to demonstrate professionalism Be productive, develop a professional image, manage your time efficiently, take initiative, demonstrate integrity in all you do.

Honesty The quality of being honest, free from fraud or deception, legitimate, truthful (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) Honesty allows for and encourages the development of trust, which grows over time and with experience and is built on a foundation of actions rather than words (ICAI, 2021). Honesty is at the core of integrity. Trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility cannot be achieved without honesty (ICAI, 2014). How do you demonstrate academic honesty Be truthful, provide facts and keep promises, give credit and recognise the owners of original work (ICAI, 2021).

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Academic Integrity @ Bond

^{Universities Australia. (2017, November).}^{UA academic integrity best practice principles}^.^{https://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/UA-Academic-Integrity-Best-Practice-Principles.pdf}

^{Bretag et al (2013).}^{Exemplary Academic Integrity Project: Embedding and extending exemplary academic integrity policy and support frameworks across the higher education sector}^{(OLT, 2013).}^{http://unisa.edu.au/EAIP}

^{Bretag, T., & Mahmud, S. (2014).}^{Embedding and extending exemplary academic integrity policy and support frameworks across the higher education sector.}^{https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3061540284/view}

^{Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Wellness. In}^{Merriam-Webster.com dictionary}^{. Retrieved January 16, 2020, from}^{https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wellness}

^{International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI). (2021).}^{The fundamental values of academic integrity}^{(3rd ed.).}^{https://academicintegrity.org/images/pdfs/20019_ICAI-Fundamental-Values_R12.pdf}

^{International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI). (2014).}^{The fundamental values of academic integrity}^{(2nd ed.). Clemson University.}