Download Academic Dishonesty Statement 
This document represents the position of the School of Health Science and Wellness at Northwest Missouri State University on the subject of academic integrity. This document is consistent with the University's overall procedures and penalties for academic honesty, which state, in part, that "it is the responsibility of every student to avoid dishonest practices" (Undergraduate Catalogue, page nos. depend on year of catalogue). Therefore, before you submit written work or complete other forms of assessment, you should take the time to understand what academic dishonesty is and how to avoid it. By signing this document, you acknowledge that you have read and understand both the School's statement on academic honesty (i.e., this document) and the University's statement and policy on academic dishonesty (Undergraduate Catalogue). You also agree to abide by these guidelines and to personally take responsibility in all Psychology courses, to learn, understand, and use APA format when citing your sources, and/or to personally take responsibility in Sociology courses to learn, understand, and use the format required by your instructor.
This document is based on information from The George Washington University, the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Systems (Northwest Missouri State University), and www.TurnItIn.com (retrieved November 18, 2003).
Academic dishonesty can occur in many forms. According to the University's policy on academic dishonesty:
There are eight broad areas of academic dishonesty: (1) obtaining unauthorized aid or information; (2) giving unauthorized aid or information; (3) committing plagiarism from written, electronic, or Internet sources; (4) misrepresenting facts or data; (5) offering bribes; (6) using library resources unethically; (7) using computer resources unethically; and (8) knowingly assisting in any of the above practices. (Undergraduate Catalogue).
Academic dishonesty, therefore, includes but is not limited to:
One of the reasons for citing your sources is to clearly distinguish your words and ideas from those of your source(s) ( www.TurnItIn.com). Therefore, whenever you incorporate the words or ideas of others into your work -- whether you paraphrase or quote/copy -- you must cite your source(s) for that information.
You must indicate work that is copied word for word by enclosing the text within quotation marks AND citing the source (with page or paragraph number) in the text of the assignment. You also must include the complete source information on an APA formatted reference page. (See the Publication Manual of the APA). NOTE this includes information from your textbook, lectures, handouts, etc., In other words, if you fail to indicate you copied word for word from ANY source, then you have stolen that information.
Yes. It is just as important to credit information that you have paraphrased or modified as it is to credit direct quotes. Generally, if you copy three or more words from the original source then you must include the information in quotation marks and cite appropriately. You must give credit even if you have completely rewritten the text. Failure to do so is plagiarism. The reader of your work should be able to discern what ideas are yours and what ideas come from other sources. Your instructor will not consider lack of knowledge of APA formatting and guidelines a valid defense against charges of plagiarism. Academic honesty is the responsibility of all students, so it is your responsibility to learn and use APA style. If you are unsure about citing your sources, then seek help before you complete any academic assignment. Plagiarism is a serious infraction and is subject to the penalties described in the Undergraduate Catalogue.
If your instructor has explicitly, and in writing, given you permission to work with others, you may give credit at the beginning of the document on the cover page preceding any document text (for written documents) or, for overheads or powerpoint presentations you can give credit for help on the first slide/title page of your presentation. For example:
Cheating on an exam includes, but is not limited to:
This school will follow the procedures detailed in the Policies and Procedures section of the most current university catalog. Read the university policy very carefully! It is the policy of this school to file a report with the Provost or graduate school for every act of academic dishonesty, whether your instructor fails you on an assignment or fails you in the class.
