Importance of Academic Integrity in Higher Education

This document discusses the importance of academic integrity in higher education and its implications. It covers the types of academic misconduct and provides insights on how to avoid them. The document also reflects on the steps taken and difficulties encountered in producing a game for Assignment 2. Additionally, it highlights the skills learned during the academic year.

BSc (Hons) Business Management with
Foundation
BMP3003
Further Academic Skills
Academic Integrity
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Contents
Introduction p

Section 1 p-p
An Introduction including a description of Academic Integrity
p
A discussion of the importance of academic integrity in higher
education p
Discuss the implications of academic misconduct p
Section 2 p-p
Reflect on the steps you have taken, and difficulties encountered in
producing the game for Assignment 2 p
Reflect on the skills you have learned this academic year and those
emphasized in producing your game p
Conclusion p
References p

Introduction
Academic integrity is referred as the moral code that governs a academic
institutions. In addition to this, academic integrity is vital for students of all ages as it
ensure that every activity or work is finished by students and free from any issues. It
is basically an interdisciplinary concept that provides foundation for every aspect at
all the levels of education (Birks and et. al., 2018). It is vital for students to maintain
academic integrity within the higher education so that grades, image of University is
maintained. The present report is classified into two parts. The first part elaborate the
importance of academic integrity within higher education. In addition to this, there is
a discussion about types of academic misconduct and implications of it. In the
second part, there is a discussion about the steps taken as well as difficulties faced
during the development of game. In the last, the skills gained and learned while
developing game is reflected.
Section 1
An Introduction including a description of Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is basically a practice that is categorized into three aspects
such as research, teaching and service. Integrity is referred as incorporation of
excellence of character from good person to good academic and involve values,
behavior as well as conduct of academic in various aspects. The pieces of
academic writing consist of concept of academic integrity, case studies, dissertation
and many more. For maintaining academic integrity, students and researchers need
to acknowledge ideas derived from other people and also ensure academic writing
is completed ethically.
A discussion of the importance of academic integrity in higher
education
Academic integrity is significant and important for students prevailing within
higher education. It assist students to gain participation within educational process in
an appropriate way. It is analyzed that students who are not able to meet in integrity
at the time of their higher education is failed to gain knowledge as well as experience
in a proper manner (Bowman, 2017). The significance of academic integrity for
University, employers and students is discussed below:
For students
It is analyzed that students who maintain integrity and finish their work with full
honesty gain better results. Within the University, most of the relationship specially
with friends are developed on basis of trust and loyalty and arise problem within this
may lead to sense of loss. In the present time, students are more focused to
maintain class as highly integrated instead of task oriented, personal involving and
so on.
For University
It is determined that there are various factors which directly contributes
towards significance of integrity within an institution. One of the factor is executing
higher education standards as well as practices within the assessment which create

students skill and allow them to prepare for their future employability. In addition to
this, other factor is pressure of universities which place not only in society but is
develop for international ranking. All this will take place when universities ensure that
no integrity failures arise that has negative influence on credibility of Universities.
For employers
It is stated that one of the vital thing in order to maintain integrity at workplace
is to follow all the ethical principles as well as values properly and effectively. It is
perceived that employees have to act with integrity, standards and guidance (Cronan
and et. al., 2017). Moreover, it is determined that employee ability related to
possession of skills and attribute can be created within University for maintaining
trust and loyalty at workplace.
Discuss the implications of academic misconduct
Academic misconduct is defined as the breach of academic integrity. Along
with this, it is anything that give students an unearned advantage over another.
There are various forms of academic misconduct that is discussed below:
Types of academic misconduct
Plagiarism: It is basically to use the work of others without acknowledging
them and use as a source of information. In addition to this, it is basically a practice
of using other person statement and ideas in assignments.
Cheating: It is referred as acquiring assistance from others for completing
formal piece of academic writing without due acknowledgement.
Fabrication: It is basically providing falsified data, giving information without
any formal citation. It also consists of misinterpreting data as well as findings for
attaining research outcome.
Apart from this, there are also other forms of academic misconduct such as false
declaration, theft of work, duplication, blackmail, commissioning which is employing
others to finish work and so on.
Implication for academic misconduct
It is analyzed that students who is engaged within academic misconduct face
major issues as well as wrongful actions (Eaton, 2020). Along with this, it can make
misconduct impact on the overall grades and results of students in a negative
manner. It is determined that students face serious penalties such as expulsed in
University, lacking qualification etc.
Causes
There are various reasons because of which academic misconduct arise.
One of the major reason is easy availability of online sources which allows students
to copy and purchase assignments. In addition to this, lack of knowledge regarding
rules associated to plagiarism and academic misconduct that shows students to
copy the assignment without experiencing and understanding it. Another reasons of
academic misconduct are low grades, lack of time form a setting, staying behind and
many more.
Consequences
It is stated that there are basically two types of offenses related to academic
misconduct and is given below:

Serious: it is considered as school hearing and consist ceiling of final award,
suspension of students from universities and so on.
Minor: it consist of failing on module, reduction of grades which influence on
the overall result of students.
How to avoid
There are various aspects through which academic misconduct is neglected
and declined. These are identifying effective academic examples, using appropriate
punctuation’s, mention notes in own words, searching in appropriate places, giving
full list of references, proper citations, using exact words and so on (Eaton, 2021).
Along with this, it is recommended to students of higher education to not overuse
quotations and focus on summarizing information. All these aspects assist in
declining academic misconduct level and help students to gain better grades.
Section 2
Reflect on the steps you have taken, and difficulties encountered in
producing the game for Assignment 2
While going through with this project, there are various steps taken and
difficulties encountered by me. In order to reflect this, Gibbs reflective cycle is taken
into consideration. It is referred as a bound to investigating as well as analytical
thinking which allow to place the practices and theory within a cycle. Along with this,
Gibbs reflective cycle will be used in this project for reflecting the structure as well. It
include various stages, which are as follows:
Description
I have assigned with the project which is the part of personal development
planning subject class. In this project, a group task is performed and activities to
develop a game associated to academic misconduct. The task is easy and relatively
simple to carry out. The tutor was giving us the ability to choose partners within the
class. In the starting, a group is developed for producing a game related to
plagiarism and academic misconduct. The step taken is mentioned below:
The first step is to conduct meeting with the colleagues and make a
discussion about the ideas. Here in, effective discussion take place and the rules of
game were developed.
After the development of game, the second step to start with the game and
this categories into small portions that is writing the rules, create questions and many
more.
The third step include agreement of date along with finalization of task. Apart
from this, the mode of communication in order to smooth and effective execution of
activities is selected. The new group member is added by tutors in our group which
is one of the issue as game was already discussed.
Feelings
Starting of event

In the starting of the project, I was excited in developing a game associated to
academic misconduct. In addition to this, moving forward satisfying me especially
when I watch how authors is getting engaged with in developing ideas.
During the event
In between the event, an uncertain situation is arised when the new member
is adding to our group. The situation is easy but there was no coordination and
cooperation with the new member.
Reaction during the experience
The situation is complex and also stressful as all the team members want
their good results and to perform well. one of the positive aspect is that grading’s will
be given on the individual basis and understanding so that no team member have to
worry.
After the event
when the event is completed, It is analyzed by me that working within a team
is more effective as compared to working individually. On the other hand, little
disappointment is that the new member did not get support and opportunity.
Evaluation
What went well
The overall idea of developing the game is good and also cover oil essential
aspects. The teamwork is implemented as planned and also effective communication
is take place among group members.
What did not work
One of the issue arise when the new member is added to the team. Apart
from this, the technical part of game procedure is not work well.
How did the experience end
The overall final results is positive and the various skills is attained as well as
learned
Analysis
According to me, the overall project is good and effective and also help in
gaining knowledge about academic misconduct and types of academic misconduct
as well. The only issue that arise is adding of new team member. It has created
stress within the team and impact on the overall performance. One of the options to
deal with this situation is to inform the tutor. The team members put their potential in
order to complete task assigned to them. With the assistance of time management,
communication and teamwork, the game is completed within set time frame.
Conclusion
The overall study is useful and understand implication as well as possible
issues arise by leading team. Apart from this, it also help in learning skills such as
communication, leadership, problem solving and many more.
Action plan
 To deal with the stress and situation to support the individual who is not
interested in receiving assistance.
 To be more emphasized on choosing group member.
 To support and learn from others while conducting the project.
 To appreciate and acknowledge things when achieved.
Reflect on the skills you have learned this academic year and those
emphasized in producing your game

While conducting the project, there are various skills gained and learned by
me, which are as follows:
Time management: it is analyzed by me that time is one of the significant
factor which is important in order to achieve objectives. During the project, I was
focused on keeping deadlines and fulfilling responsibilities on time. It is determined
by me that failing of completing task on time impact negatively on the overall results
and grades as well.
Research skills: in order to complete the project, finding an appropriate
information is significant. This help me to improve my research skills which will help
me in future also.
Communication skills: The project was assigned to us within a group and is
also delivered in the form of presentation. This helped me to improve my
communication skills so that I can share my viewpoints easily to the audience’s.
Presentation skills: This skill were developed and executed in the over full
course duration as main part of finding relevant data to be used within the
assignment.
Creativity and innovative: In order to develop the project, a unique and
creative game is designed for students. It is significant to draft a game that is
attractive and unique so that it can present in an effective manner an positive results
can be attained.
Teamwork: The work is assigned within a team and coordinating with them is
necessary in order to complete the project. This assist me to improve my team
building skills and gain good results.
Leadership skills: It is considered as one of the important skills in order to
lead team and planning effectively for the completion of project.
Conclusion
From the above study, it is determined that academic integrity is important for
students in order to gain high grades, maintain image of universities and neglect
academic misconduct. In addition to this, it is analyze that academic misconduct take
place within the universities by various ways such as cheating, plagiarism and many
more. Moreover, it is analyze that there are various ways to avoid academic
misconduct such as use of exact words and punctuations, research in appropriate
places, involve list of references, cite them correctly, outlining proper meaning and
so on.

References
Books & Journal
Birks and et. al., 2018. Exploring the paradox: A cross-sectional study of academic
dishonesty among Australian nursing students. Nurse education today, 65, pp.96-
101.
Bowman, K.D., 2017. Educating international students about academic
misconduct. International Educator, 26(2), pp.56-59.
Cronan and et. al., 2017. Changing the academic integrity climate on campus using a
technology-based intervention. Ethics & Behavior, 27(2), pp.89-105.
Eaton, S.E., 2020. Integrity Hour: A Guide to Developing and Facilitating an Online
Community of Practice for Academic Integrity. Online Submission.
Eaton, S.E., 2021. Plagiarism in higher education: Tackling tough topics in academic
integrity. ABC-CLIO.
Jian, H., Marion, R. and Wang, W., 2019. Academic integrity from China to the United
States: The acculturation process for Chinese graduate students in the United
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Latopolski, K. and Bertram Gallant, T., 2020. Academic integrity. DM Waryold & JM
Lancaster (Ed, 2nd edition). Student Conduct Practice: The Complete Guide for
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Orr, J., 2018. Developing a campus academic integrity education seminar. Journal of
Academic Ethics, 16(3), pp.195-209.
Seaton, K.A., 2019. Laying groundwork for an understanding of academic integrity in
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Technology, 50(7), pp.1063-1072.
Sheard and et. al., 2018, January. Informing students about academic integrity in
programming. In Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Computing Education
Conference (pp. 113-122).
Yi and et. al., 2017. Research integrity in China: precautions when searching the Chinese
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