UMass Amherst
MPH-PHP
New 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
•
Purchasing, downloading, borrowing, reusing or hiring
someone to do your work
•
•
Turning in the same work for more than one course
without the consent of both instructors
Giving your blackboard log in credentials to anyone
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
Turning in assignments completed by someone else.
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!