UMass Amherst MPH-PHPNew Student Orientation

Module 4: Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

General Information: Academic Honesty

• All matriculated students in the online MPH-PHP degree program are responsible for knowing and abiding by the policies outlined herein.

• All questions concerning Academic Honesty should be directed to the Ombuds office: • Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm EST

• 413-545-0867 phone

• 413-545-9720 fax

Academic Honesty: Statement

• Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department Head or Chair. The procedures outlined below are intended to provide an efficient and orderly process by which action may be taken if it appears that academic dishonesty has occurred and by which students may appeal such actions.

Academic Honesty: resources

• All students should read and be familiar with the policy. To read the entire policy please visit: http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/downloads/AcademicHonestyPolicy.pdf

• Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent.

Academic Honesty: Examples

• Copying 4 or more words consecutively without using quotation marks or citing the source

• Summarizing or paraphrasing ideas or opinions without giving credit to the source

• Turning in the same work for more than one course without the consent of both instructors

• Purchasing, downloading, borrowing, reusing or hiring someone to do your work

• Using unauthorized materials or copying from another person during an exam • Collaborating on work when you have been instructed to work independently • Facilitating the academic dishonesty of another person

Academic Honesty: Online Learning

• Examples:• Failure to properly cite

• Turning in the same work for more than one course without the consent of both instructors

• Purchasing, downloading, borrowing, reusing or hiring someone to do your work

• Giving your blackboard log in credentials to anyone else.

• Turning in assignments completed by someone else.

• As students in the online MPH program you are expected to abide by the exact same standards as all University students.

• The SPHHS online MPH department uses the following tools to combat academic dishonesty:• All faculty utilize “SafeAssign” or “TurnItIn”

software to analyze all written papers and assignments

• All students are expected to have and keep safe an individual log-in and password for spire and blackboard. Sharing of your credentials, even with your spouse is a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy

• We are always considering new technologies and will make these required of all students once implemented

Plagiarism: Common Pitfalls

• One of the most common plagiarism pitfalls for graduate students is: improper citation techniques. Knowing when and how to cite sources in your writing is key to success.

• In the online MPH program, you are not required to use one standard citation technique. Most instructors require you to use APA style. However, others leave this up to the student.

• It is recommended that you pick one and stick with it through the program. The more you use just one technique, the better able you are to use it.

• If your place of employment requires a specific citation style, you are encouraged to use this one.

Writing/Citation Resources

• The UMass Library System has a writing resource center, which all online students have access to. Please visit their site: http://www.umass.edu/writingcenter/news/online-tutoring

• The following resources give step by step citation instructions for the APA formatting style. The Purdue OWL site also has optional citation styles ( I love Purdue OWL). • https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/   (General APA)

• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/   (in-text citations)

• http://www.apastyle.org/  (general APA)

• On Writing Well-by William Zinsser

Thank You!