Tips for Preventing Academic Offences

1. Clearly define the different types of academic offences by providing examples.

2. Be sure to discuss the course syllabus with your class and explicitly define plagiarism by providing examples.

3. Advise students on how to avoid plagiarism and why using the appropriate citations are necessary.

4. Clarify what “common knowledge” is in your course, and provide examples of what would and would not require a reference.  ( http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/osai/instructors/prevention/deterring-offences-by-offence).


5. Suggest that students visit the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre or approach you if they are unsure of whether they are committing an act of academic misconduct.


6. Clarify that students are responsible for what they submit and a failure to provide appropriate sources, citations for their work may result in an allegation of academic misconduct.


7. Emphasize that students must use internet sources with caution and require citations just like any other source. Remind them that they must not assume everything on the internet is accurate.


8. Remind students that if they are selling their work to others, this may result in an allegation of academic misconduct.  (http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/osai/instructors/prevention/deterring-offences-by-offence)


9. Encourage students to attend academic skill-building workshops to strengthen their research and writing skills.


10. During tests/exams, remind students that they must place all electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, pagers, etc.) at the side/back/front of the classroom. Be sure to explain the consequences of failing to abide by these rules.

*Image courtesy of the University of Virginia