Academic Misconduct
1 University Overview
2012 has seen a dramatic reduction of approximately 50% in the number of proven
breaches; the same is observed when the number is expressed as a percentage of
the University cohort (Fig 1).
This reduction may be observed in most Schools; Fig 2 shows the percentage of
each School’s cohort with proven cases of a breach of regulations.
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Fig 3 shows the cases dismissed expressed as a percentage of the total number of
allegations. No obvious trend is displayed but it does suggest that SLED exhibits an
anomalous number of suspected breaches dismissed in 2012.
2. Level of Study
Fig 4 shows the raw data of proven allegations at each level of study whilst Fig 5
represents the same data expressed as a percentage of the cohort in each level of
study which accounts for annual changes in student population.
From Figs 4 and 5 it appears that proven allegations at Foundation level 3 have
fallen consistently in both absolute and relative terms over the 4 years. However, it
would appear that the 2012 data is incomplete since data for Foundation level
courses in some Schools is missing. The same comment was made in the previous
report concerning the 2011 data.
The decline in breaches is observed in Level 4, 5, 6 and 7PG; no data is available for
Level 7UG in 2012.
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The following Figures 6a – 6g show the proven cases as a percentage of the cohort
at each level of study by individual School. It is apparent that the high number of
breaches reported in some Schools in 2011 now appear to be anomalous, e.g. Life
Sciences at Levels 4 and 5.
Please note the change of scale for
SLED which is consistently higher than
other Schools.
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3. Gender
Fig 7a shows the raw data of proven allegations by gender whilst Fig 7b represents
the same data expressed as a percentage of the cohort in each level of study which
accounts for annual changes in student population. These data are for combined UG
and PG students. The data suggests that the reduction in proven breaches is
stronger for Male students, being ~53% for male and ~45% for female students in
relation to the 2011 figures.
From Fig 8 it is not possible to identify consistent trends across all Schools when
considering Gender and registration at UG or PG.
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4. Age
Fig 9 shows the proven breaches expressed as a percentage of each School’s cohort
and confirms that the reduction in proven breaches is generally observed across both
age groups.
5. Disability
Figure 10 suggests that over the last 4 years undergraduate students with disability
are more likely to breach regulations than their postgraduate colleagues. However,
the proportion of this particular cohort is no greater than that of all students across
the University.
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6. Ethnicity
6.1 Undergraduate
The University data on ethnicity is presented in too many categories to facilitate
analysis. Following consultation with the Equality and Diversity Manager it was
agreed to combine the categories thus:
Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi
Asian or Asian British - Indian
Asian or Asian British
Asian or Asian British - Pakistani
Black or Black British - African
Black or Black British - African
Mixed - White and Asian
Mixed - White and Black African
Mixed
Other Mixed Background
White
White
Chinese or Other Ethnic background - Chinese
Other Asian Background
Other ethnic group (incl Chinese)
Other Black Background
Other Ethnic background
These are the groupings, which fit with government guidance, shown in the following
Figures. The homogeneous groupings are for reporting purposes only and do not
suggest that the ethnic groups within them have the same experience.
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Figure 11 shows the number of proven breaches expressed as a percentage of each
ethnic cohort and shows that a reduction in proven breaches is observed for all
ethnic groups. The data for Mixed students in 2011 now appears anomalous.
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Figure 12 shows the number of proven breaches expressed as a percentage of each
ethnic cohort and does not indicate evidence of any School being consistently out of
line with the rest of the University.
6.2 Postgraduate
Figure 13 shows the number of proven breaches expressed as a percentage of each
ethnic cohort and shows that a reduction in proven breaches is generally observed
for all ethnic groups with the largest reduction occurring in the Asian or Asian British
grouping. There is too little data in Fig 14 to permit trends to be identified.
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7. Type of Misconduct
Figure 15 clearly shows that in the last 3 years there has been no change in the
pattern of misconduct with Plagiarism being the dominant issue; the second is
collaboration.
Note: increase in number of
Examination breach categories in 2012
Professor DC Hughes (10 May 2013)
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