Penalties for Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. It is the student’s responsibility to know what plagiarism and cheating are, so please read carefully the section on academic integrity on page 58 of the university calendar.  It includes definitions of plagiarism and cheating. Plagiarism consists of presenting another person’s ideas as if they were your own. If you are quoting directly from a source, you must place the extract in quotation marks, and give a precise reference to the source, including a page number. Direct quotes should be used only sparingly. If you get an idea or some information from an external source, but then present those ideas in your own words, you must still provide a reference to the book, article, or website from which the information originally came. A specific page number is not normally required if you are using your own words. Note that you cannot just change a word or two here and there; you must literally use your own words. The Library also has a tutorial on how to avoid plagiarism. It is highly recommended that you complete this tutorial: https://library.acadiau.ca/research/tutorials/you-quote-it-you-note-it-2.html

The Psychology Department Policy on Cheating is as follows:

  • a first offence will result in a grade of zero on the assignment or exam involved.
  • an incident of cheating in a psychology course that is determined through consultation with the Registrar not to be the sole offence committed by the student, will result in a grade of zero for the psychology course.
  • three offences will result in a recommendation by the Psychology Department to the Vice President (Academic) that the student be expelled from the university.

The Psychology Department Policy on Plagiarism is as follows:

For students in their 1st or 2nd year of study

  • a first offence will result in the requirement to redo the assignment and submit a one page paper describing what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
  • an incident of plagiarism in a psychology course that is determined through consultation with the Registrar not to be the sole offence committed by the student, will result in a grade of zero for the assignment.
  • three offences will result in a grade of zero for the psychology course.
  • further offences will result in a recommendation by the Psychology Department to the Vice President (Academic) that the student be expelled from the university.

For students in their 3rd year of study or beyond:

  • a first offence will result in a grade of zero on the assignment involved.
  • an incident of plagiarism in a psychology course that is determined through consultation with the Registrar not to be the sole offence committed by the student, will result in a grade of zero for the psychology course.
  • three offences will result in a recommendation by the Psychology Department to the Vice President (Academic) that the student be expelled from the university.

All incidents of plagiarism and cheating will be reported to the office of the Vice President (Academic) and the Registrar’s Office, and records of all offences will be kept in the Psychology Department.