Strategies to Protect Yourself from Violating
the Honor Pledge
Careful attention to your own academic duties is the best way to avoid
allegations of academic dishonesty. If you are asked to do something
that you FEEL is wrong or unethical, it probably is. Aiding someone
in committing an academically dishonest act is just as serious as receiving
the aid. For "real life" scenarios, check out the Honor Pledge
violations from previous years at this link: HONOR
PLEDGE VIOLATIONS.
The following strategies may help you avoid Honor Pledge violations:
- Check your faculty member's course
syllabus for a section dealing with academic dishonesty
for that course. There may be special requirements. If you cannot
find a written section in the syllabus, ask
the faculty member what his/her expectations are.
- Prepare yourself thoroughly for examinations and assignments.
- Take the initiative to prevent other students from copying your
exam or assignments by shielding your answer sheet during examinations.
In exams, if you feel someone is trying to copy from you, ask the
proctor if you may move. This will alert the proctor to a potential
problem and help remove suspicion from you as aiding the other student
if a claim of cheating arises.
- If you are allowed to take materials into a testing site, make
sure no notes or materials are exposed or accessible that could cause
one to believe you are using unauthorized aids (cribs).
- This includes cell phones, PDAs, programmable calculators, and iPods.
Unfortunately, some students have used these electronic devises as an
advantage over other students by entering materials that could be seen
as unauthorized aid during quizzes, exams, finals.
- Do not look around, particularly in the direction of other students'
papers, during an exam since it may appear you are trying to copy
from others. Look up for inspiration, down in desperation, but not around for information!
- Do not lend assignments you have finished to other students. Some
students have been accused of knowingly giving unauthorized aid. Do
not take this chance. Do not leave your finished assignments in a
place where another student might be able to copy them.
- This is especially easy to do when using a community computer. Password
protect your files if you need to leave them on a computer that is networked.
- Should there be any doubt, clarify with your instructor how much
collaboration, if any, is permitted or expected when working on projects
or assignments with other students, particularly computer programs.
- Utilize a recognized handbook for instruction on citing source materials
in papers. Two handbooks commonly used at K-State are the APA (American
Psychological Association) and the MLA (Modern Language Association)
handbooks. These are often used in general education classes. The
sciences often have handbooks specific to the discipline. Ask your
instructors which they prefer. MAKE CERTAIN you know how to accurately
cite sources; most faculty assume you know how to do this.
- Since it is impossible to write everything with complete originality,
use quotation marks, footnotes, and parenthetical textual notes to
acknowledge other peoples' words or ideas employed in your paper.
Again, check with your instructor for proper techniques for citations
and attribution if you have any doubts.
- Protect your computer log-in identifications and passwords. Other
students could use them to access your work and subsequently implicate
you in a cheating case. Again, this is especially sensitive in large-group living arrangements.
- Know that it is risky to electronically copy or transmit a computer
program or file to other students. You could be implicated in a cheating
incident if someone alters that program and submits it as their own
work.
- Consult with individual faculty or academic departments when in
doubt.
- Do not pad a bibliography. This means do not include sources in
a bibliography or reference list if you have not used the sources
in the preparation of your paper.
- Know the difference between PRIMARY sources and SECONDARY sources
and cite appropriately.
- Do not use previous papers, lab reports, or assignments used in a course with the intention
of copying parts or all of the material. Check with your instructor and get permission before turning in
a paper or project you submitted in another course.
- Keep rough drafts and copies of papers submitted in courses since
other students may get access to your work and attempt to claim it
as their own.
- Do not share your current or former assignments, projects, papers,
etc. with other students to use as guides for their work. Such a practice
could lead to claims of collaboration if part or all of your work
is lifted by another student. Sometimes friendly assistance may escalate
into claims of blatant dishonesty.
- Do not give your homework papers, projects,or other assignments
to other students to submit for you. They may use parts of your work.
- When completing take-home exams, do not collaborate with other persons
unless approved by the instructor. ASK THE
INSTRUCTOR.
- Keep your student identification card in your possession or secured.
Never loan your identification to anyone.
- Do not make any marks on a graded exam if there is any chance you
may submit it for a re-grade. Make all notations on a separate paper.
- Discourage dishonesty among other
students and refuse to assist students who cheat. Nationwide studies
indicate 70-90% of the student college population admit to academic
dishonesty within the last year. K-State is trying to change this
culture. Be a person of character and make your education and K-State
degree count!
If you are accused of an Honor Pledge violation, call the Honor System
office. Members of HIPE
will help you through the process.
References used:
California
Institute of Technology
University
of Texas-Student Judicial Services-Academic Integrity