Cheating & Plagarism
If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself accused of cheating or plagarism during your time at DIT, you will find that not understanding or knowing about the DIT Rules and Regulations is no defence. This page provides you with questions and answers about what these terms actually mean and what the consequences could be for your academic career.Important Documents
What if ...I'm caught Breaking the Rules...accidentally or on purpose?
The Exam Regulations state very
clearly that students cannot have any 'unauthorised' material or
equipment eg MOBILE PHONE in the Exam Hall; this year there has been a
significant increase in the number of students who were found to have their
phone in their pocket, on the desk or nearby. These students were in breach of
the Regulations and were penalised as a result – see extract here from the GAR.
Conduct during Examinations
Students shall not bring into the
Examination Hall, nor have in their possession while in such Hall, any
computing equipment, including electronic organisers and programmable
calculators, mobile phone, recording equipment, radio, books,
dictionaries, notes or paper whatsoever, save such answer books and other materials
as shall be authorised and/or provided by the Invigilator. The only equipment allowed is that which has
been authorised by both the Examinations Office and the Disability Service.
We strongly advise students to abide by all the Regulations and in particular to ensure that they switch off their phone and put it away in the bag etc. before the Exam starts.
Making a mistake, being forgetful, in a hurry etc are not accepted as excuses.
What if...I'm caught with notes in an Exam?
Bringing in notes, cards, stuff scribbled on arms/legs etc., is Cheating!
Cheating is considered ‘academic misconduct' and is treated very seriously by
the DIT. Please do not cheat in your exam, no matter how worried you are or how
little study you think you've done or how difficult you think the exam is going
to be.
If you
are caught with notes/cheats etc. you could at worst be expelled from DIT and
at the very least you will have to repeat the exam with the possibility that
your marks are capped at 40%. The incident may also become part of your
academic record in DIT and therefore have serious implications for your future.
If you're caught cheating you will most likely be bought before a Panel of
Enquiry whose job it is to investigate the allegation. In this instance you
should contact the Students' Union for advice. David Keogan, your
Vice-president or Mary Scally at academicaffairs@ditsu.ie can
advise you in detail and attend the Panel of Enquiry with you, if you wish.
Plagiarism is the passing off of another person’s work as your own. It includes
copying without acknowledgement from a published source (print or electronic),
or from unpublished sources (e.g. another student’s essay or notes). Plagiarism
occurs when material is copied word for word, but not only in that
circumstance. It also can occurs when the substance or argument of a text
is copied even with some changes made, such as paraphrasing or translation,
without acknowledgement.
Plagiarism includes unacknowledged use of material from books or periodicals,
from the Internet, from grind tutors, or from other students, without full
acknowledgement of the sources. Plagiarism is not confined to written
assignments, projects or theses; it incorporates all academic work, including
practical workshops, demonstrations, three dimensional work and artistic
practice.
How do I avoid Plagiarism?
DO
- Acknowledge all the resources used in your work
- Reference every source of information or ideas using in your work according to the specific guidelines set down for your programme
DO NOT
- Pass off someone else’s work as your own
- Ask anyone to do work which you claim as your own
- Buy or copy work from electronic sources which you claim as your own.
- Use another’s ideas as your own
What if I do it accidentally?
Plagiarism can be either an intentional act whereby work is deliberately
utilised and claimed as one’s own, Or it can occur unintentionally either
through bad academic practice or simply not finding out the college
regulations. Ignorance is not a defence. At third level it is the students'
responsibility to make sure they comply with the rules and regulations.
Where can I get more information on how to avoid
Plagiarism?
Above all, clearly acknowledge all sources of information you have accessed during your work.
For more info: The Institutes Library Services have several useful texts on plagiarism and Library staff provide guidance on referencing and plagiarism.
Students may be asked to sign a declaration on all written assignments/theses submitted to verify that the work is not plagiarised. If such a declaration is not signed, however, students will still be subject to the assessment regulations governing plagiarism.
What will happen if I am accused of Plagiarism?
DIT considers plagiarism to be a serious academic offence. Suspected cases of plagiarism are always investigated and dealt with as breaches of the General Assessment Regulations. If an investigation by a Panel of Enquiry finds that you have plagiarised you could be suspended or expelled from DIT and at the very least you will have to redo the assignment at some stage – not necessarily in the next semester or academic year. The consequences can be quite serious so don't do it!For any more information and advice on what to you if you are accused of plagiarising contact David Keogan, your Vice-president or Mary Scally academicaffairs@ditsu.ie and they'll be happy to help.
