BURDUR MEHMET AKİF ERSOY UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Academic integrity is one of the fundamental principles of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. The philosophy of our university is based on the belief in raising honest, responsible, and ethically aware global citizens. Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University expects its students to be aware of the concepts that constitute academic integrity and to exhibit correct academic behaviors throughout their lives. Our university's students and all members know the importance of having moral values and exhibiting virtuous and honest behaviors. Academic integrity is fundamentally about a person fulfilling their own duties and genuinely possessing the knowledge they claim to have. In this context, students at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University are encouraged to question, think critically and creatively. How students structure their ideas, express their opinions, and reflect ideas that are not their own is very important. At our university, all students are encouraged to understand the benefits of a properly and honestly conducted research in every type of assignment and work; to be aware of the meaning of terms like originality, intellectual property, and creative expression. Students are expected to present correct assignments and projects based on their creativity, individual and original ideas, and their own style of expression. In these assignments and projects, when students include the ideas of others, they must apply citation and referencing rules.
The Academic Integrity Policy at our university covers not only students but also academics. Our academic integrity policy supports accuracy, personal integrity, and the fair conduct of teaching, learning, and assignments. The goal of the Academic Integrity Policy at our university is to ensure that academic processes in all units are transparent, fair, and continuous. This policy defines the rights and responsibilities of all members of our university in this direction, allows everyone to understand what correct and incorrect academic practices are, and clearly explains what to do in case of violations.
At Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, the concept of academic integrity is approached positively and is accepted as a part of academic life. Here, the academic integrity policy is planned not to focus on uncovering and punishing offenses but to support and ensure fair academic practices. At Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, the role of being open to sharing ideas and sharing different ideas in the development of the academic environment is valued. Therefore, students are encouraged to talk and discuss with their instructors and classmates about their courses, research, and assignments. Such academic discussions and exchanges of ideas form the essence of academic life. With this encouragement, everyone in the academic environment trusts each other and works together based on this freedom. To ensure the appropriate use of resources, information, and ideas, but also to continue to value and protect this academic dialogue, our university has established its policies related to academic integrity. Our policies related to academic integrity are valid for all units and members of our university, and their purposes are listed below;
1. Defining the concepts of academic integrity and malpractice for all students in all programs and practices conducted by the university,
2. Emphasizing the importance of originality in the student's work,
3. Defining the duties and responsibilities of all unit managers, academics, students, and all employees in identifying and preventing possible malpractices,
4. Preventing and resolving unnecessary tension that may arise between students and academics,
5. Clearly expressing the consequences of malpractice,
6. Defining the processes followed by unit administrations in the investigation of work deemed suspicious,
7. Exhibiting correct academic practices to eliminate possible malpractices.
In line with these objectives, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University has adopted the following policies.
1. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in assignments, exams, and other academic performances. Examples of student-originated academic integrity violations in this context are as follows:
- Submitting someone else's work as if it were their own,
- Using information from a website without citing the source,
- Using information without in-text citation and not listing the source in the bibliography,
- Not citing the original/primary source used when presenting research results and data,
- Distorting or misusing data obtained to support research,
- Copying maps, pictures, photographs, drawings, graphics, etc.,
- Using registered designs and trademarks without permission and without indicating the owner,
- Quoting information from a book, magazine, encyclopedia, or electronic source without using quotation marks,
- Translating information from one language to the assignment language without citing the source,
- Falsely presenting non-existent sources as if they exist,
- Copying or directly using another student's assignment,
- Having an assignment prepared by another person or institution,
- Purchasing an assignment,
- Submitting the same assignment for different courses,
- Fabricating data (experiment, research result, etc.) to be used in their work,
- Providing false excuses when assignment deadlines are not met, requesting additional time with an invalid justification,
- Claiming to have submitted an assignment when it has not been submitted,
- Bringing inappropriate materials into the exam room,
- Obtaining and sharing exam questions with other students,
- Exchanging information during the exam,
- Cheating during the exam,
- Not adhering to the exam duration,
- Taking an exam on behalf of another student or having another student take an exam on their behalf,
- Damaging library resources,
- Forging signatures,
- Facilitating violations of academic integrity practices.
Examples of academic integrity violations originating from academics in this context are as follows:
- Not noticing the malpractice in a student's work,
- Not analyzing assignments with insufficient and invalid information,
- Accepting an assignment with quotations and transfers without citing references,
- Not checking whether a bibliography is prepared in assignments and projects,
- Not indicating the sources of all written texts and visuals given to students
- Providing exam questions to students before the exam,
- Neglecting to securely store exam papers before the exam,
- Helping students during the exam,
- Leaving students unsupervised during the exam,
- Using a mobile phone during the exam,
- Giving unauthorized extra time to students at the end of the exam,
- Ignoring a student who is cheating.
2. Academic dishonesty includes all forms of "cheating" (intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids); "fabrication" (intentionally distorting or producing any information), "facilitating academic dishonesty or falsification" (knowingly assisting those who want to commit or attempt to commit academic dishonesty); "plagiarism" (presenting someone else's words or ideas as one's own) and all behaviors not evaluated within the framework of academic integrity by the relevant committee.
3. Our university has adopted the principle of treating every community member with respect, and all behaviors that are not befitting human dignity are prohibited.
4. Our university provides equal opportunities to all its members and candidates, regardless of color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, health status, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or citizenship, and prohibits discrimination and harassment.
Violations of Academic Integrity Principles and Consequences
Students at every level of education and academic staff who do not comply with academic integrity rules may face various sanctions, including disciplinary penalties. These violations are taken seriously, and necessary steps are taken to protect the academic reputation of both the work owners and Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. As a result, we expect and support all our staff, including our students, to adhere to academic integrity at the highest level at our university. These principles form the basis of scientific research and are necessary for all students to pursue a successful and ethical academic career.
Date and Number of the Senate Decision Accepted 13.06.2024 592/3