Attendance and Assessments

2.2. Academic Misconduct

This section summarises information from the Academic Misconduct policy, which should be consulted for more detail (the latest version can be found on the Key Documents page). More information can be found in the Study Skills courses, which are part of the online induction.

WHAT COUNTS AS ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT?

• Plagiarism - presenting another's work as their own (that is, without accurate use of quotation marks, detailed referencing and a full bibliography)
• Copying the work of another student.
• Obtaining material from an essay website or other person / company.
• Arranging for another person to complete an assignment or exam, or being part of such an arrangement.
• Breaking Examination Room rules; not complying with invigilators’ instructions.
• Seeking access to examination papers prior to the examination
• Being party to an arrangement intending to break or avoid the regulations.
• Offering a bribe or inducement to any staff or persons connected with the assessments.
• Self plagiarism - submitting material which has already been submitted for any other assessment within LST or elsewhere.
• Obtaining research data by unfair means. 
• Presenting unauthorised group-work as the work of a single candidate.
• False declarations with regard to extenuating circumstances applications, deferrals and requests for exemption from work.
• Any form of unfair or dishonest practice which attempts to contravene LST’s assessment regulations or arranges with others to do so.

For a full-list please see the Academic Misconduct Policy.

Understanding Plagiarism

This short video gives an overview:

Turnitin has also produced a very helpful visual guide to types of plagiarism - please have a look through this.

Note that most of our assignments are submitted through Turnitin, which is excellent at detecting plagiarism and highlighting material which is not properly referenced. Be careful - plagiarised work is certain to be caught!

What happens if a Marker suspects me of Academic Misconduct?

(Below is a brief summary of the Academic Misconduct process, and the full document should be consulted where there is any doubt.)

1. Minor errors

If you've made just a few minor mistakes in your referencing or punctuation, this may be reflected in your overall grade (as English writing style and referencing is covered in the marking scheme).

2. Poor academic practice

We know that students who are new to higher education may make some mistakes in their referencing through carelessness or inexperience. You may have tried to reference the source but not done this properly. Or perhaps you missed quotation marks or didn't paraphrase very well.

When this happens the Programme Leader will be informed and may advise the marker to make a small mark deduction. You will also be informed in your feedback, and may receive a letter. An internal record will be kept but this will not go on your transcript.

3. Academic Misconduct

For more serious cases, or where a student has already been warned about poor academic practice twice before, or is no longer a new student, 'Academic Misconduct' will recorded against your transcript and various penalties may be given depending on the seriousness of the offence. 

Sometimes this will mean a mark deduction, sometimes you'll get a written warning, sometimes it may mean writing an entirely new essay. You may also be asked to meet with the Programme Leader. See the Academic Misconduct Policy for more details about the procedure and penalties.

In all cases you have the right to appeal, and to do so you should write to asdas@lst.ac.uk within five working days of hearing the outcome by email.