Academic Integrity and Misconduct

Academic Integrity

The commitment to and demonstration of honest and moral behaviour in an academic setting.

Assessment Integrity

Principles of honest and trustworthy assessment ensuring fair evaluation of learning outcomes.

NAIN

National Academic Integrity Network, established in 2019 by QQI to address academic misconduct.

Academic Misconduct

Any action that undermines academic integrity and results in an unfair advantage or disadvantage.

Plagiarism

Submitting work that is not your own without acknowledging, citing, or referencing the original source.

Recycling or Resubmitting Work

Submitting work that has already been assessed, without your teacher's permission.

Fabrication

Making up research information or inventing incorrect or non-existent sources.

Collusion

Engaging in illegitimate cooperation with one or more students to complete assessable work.

Contract Cheating

Getting someone else to complete part or all of your work and submitting it as your own.

Exam Cheating

Using cheat notes, copying, communicating with others, or bringing prohibited items into the exam room.

Identifying Illegal Cheating Services

Services that promise to write essays, sit exams, or demand course materials in exchange for help.

Reporting Suspected Cheating Services

Report to your university's School, Academic Integrity Office, or to the QQI.

Penalties for Academic Misconduct

Repeating tasks, failing units or courses, expulsion, visa impact, or criminal charges.

Behaviours Supporting Academic Integrity

Acknowledging sources, submitting your own work, reporting research accurately, and acting ethically.