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Academic Honesty: In Principle and in Practice [Your Name Here] Axia College University of Phoenix [Instructor Name Here] September 28, 2008 Abstract The focus of this discussion is on the importance of maintaining academy honesty, which is a requirement of all students of Axia College of University of Phoenix. Each student is responsible for the way they conduct themselves while attending the University of Phoenix. Realizing that a part of being honest is to make sure that all your assignments are in my own words and all of the thoughts and ideas of the works belong to me is critical.
If I am going to use another person’s work or words I must respect that person by giving them credit for their work. Morals are a very important factor in the learning process. I should show more consideration by being completely honest about my works. All I need to do is to read remember and Universities guidelines on Academic honesty, and Student Code of Conduct. I will remember in all that I do maintaining academy honesty will be a golden rule for my own personal benefit. The Importance of Maintaining Academic Honesty
Beginning with my admittance to the University of Phoenix, which I am excited and proud to be a member of, I was made aware of the University’s policies against plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty. I have carefully reviewed many sources including documentation from the University of Phoenix and articles from our online library, as well as done independent study online and in my local library to confirm I fully understand what it means, theoretically, and practically, to maintain my integrity and prepare all of my work to meet the highest academic standards.
I recognize that attending the University of Phoenix is a unique opportunity, which lets me practice these skills while drawing from my own prior professional experience, so that I am in an opportune position to excel. I also realize that in order to take advantage of this opportunity I must demonstrate respect for the institution, my professors, and fellow students, by submitting only original or properly cited and referenced work (Levy, Rakovski, 2006). I have found many clear definitions of plagiarism, which is a primary concern to guard against when I submit any assignment.
I understand that plagiarism may be intentional, in the case of an attempt to pass off another’s work as my own, through deception, or unintentional, in the case of using work where I am unsure how to properly attribute the work, or unaware that my submission is overly similar to another author’s prior contributions (Smith, Nolan, Dai, 1998). However, regardless of the specifics, I know that plagiarism to any extent, from one word, to an entire essay, is absolutely unacceptable and can not be excused by any type of rationalization (Mathews, 1933).
Plagiarizing only hinders the free expression of ideas which higher education aims to encourage, and is disrespectful to the entire academic community, as well as to myself. In addition to plagiarism, the most blatant example of academic misconduct, I have also undertaken an examination of other forms of academic dishonesty and shortcomings, which I am committed to avoiding during my ongoing studies at the University. In particular, I am aware of the need to properly format and reference each source I rely on in the course of completing assignments, whether I rely heavily or only briefly on said works.
I realize the importance of researching each source to provide the proper information as a reference, as well as formatting quotes correctly, and citing work within the text to corroborate my findings and provide an easier reference for the reader. These formatting techniques are critical to properly crediting sources, and are in addition to the use of quotation marks or other identifiers of unoriginal material. There are serious consequences when these guidelines are not followed. When we do not maintain academic honesty it demonstrates we are not deserving trust or being able to be trusted, reliable, truthful, or honest.
Academic honesty is an achievement of strong values with the ability to set goals for yourself and the knowledge that you made a fair and honest attempt to achieve those goals. Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work and have a working understanding of what constitutes academic dishonesty. It is important that we familiarize ourselves with the various forms academic honesty comes in so that we will be able to build and maintain our integrity as students (Shropshire, 1997). Academic dishonesty is not worth being dismissed from college.
I have come too far and too close to mess this up now, and risk not being able to attend college here or anywhere else. In fact, I know that succeeding in life is very important and the skills and knowledge that I am gaining from the University of Phoenix instructors and staff to succeed after college revolve around letting my mind work independently: by being dishonest I forfeit all of these skills. In contrast, I also know that by maintaining academic honesty I will have to keep thinking at all times about what I am presenting to my instructors which will only benefit me in the long run.
I also realize how important and meaningful it is to me to feel that I am trusted and trustworthy. One of the university’s goals is for its students to strive in the pursuit of excellence. Honesty is part of the path which elevates us to learning, and leads us to higher and higher achievements. Goals achieved through cheating to get there are not an achievement since no hard work or effort is put forth to reach the goal, and so it is undeserved. The cost of this dishonesty is diminished future opportunities- a high price to pay for laziness.
Another important realization I have had about maintaining academic honesty is that it is mostly about being honest with myself and the things you love and respect. So, beginning with myself I will hold fast to the standards of academic honesty and integrity. I fully understand that failure to comply with this oath will result in academic and disciplinary action, up to an including being discharged from the college. My plan is to first understand what would be acceptable in order for me to maintain the standards of academic honesty.
This leaves me room to complete a self-test of what I actually know about The Importance of Academic Honesty practices and procedures. This material provides me a set of rules and regulations, the consequences of breaching these rules, and knowledge on how cheating interferes with my education. It is clear that it is my responsibility to protect my work, and the works of others, to make sure they will not be used or turned in by anyone else. Maintaining academic honesty is a way to help you learn to respect other people works, and to give their recognition for creating these works in the first place.
After all, the reason a person goes to college is to become skilled, and gain knowledge. When we seek out other sources online in lieu of developing our own skills, we not only damage our credibility, but our entire education. Clearly, we will become more educated if we do not run the risk of getting disqualified for not making our own inquiries, by working diligently to integrate our learning and create completely original work. I know that in order for me to become a successful college student I will have to change my study habits. One way to help myself is to know my learning method and my personality.
Also, there is what they call personal assessment which is composed of many ethnic, as well as socioeconomic and gender groups that will help me to understand myself. I am going to look up information that is helpful on the SQ3R I feel this process will be very beneficial to me. I have wanted to attend college and get my bachelor’s all my life and I have persevered through many obstacles to get here. I did believe in myself until this happened to me. I really did feel good about what I was doing, but I would never have knowingly taken a chance on getting banned and not ever being able to attend college again.
Thanks to the encouragement of two very special instructors I now think I can do what I set my mind to do, and maintaining academic honesty will be my reward. I do thank everyone for giving me a chance to help myself by having to do this paper. I have truly learned a lot. References Levy, E. S. & Rakovski, C. C. (2006, September) Academic dishonesty: A zero tolerance professor and student registration choices. Research in Higher Education. 47(6), p735-754. Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=a2h&AN=21029109&site=ehost-live Mathews, A. 1933, January 3) Attitudes toward academic honesty. Mental Health Observer. 1. Retrieved September 4, 2008, from PsycINFO database. Smith, J. & Nolan, R. Dai, Y. (1998, June). Faculty perception of student academic honesty. College Student Journal. 32(2), p305. Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=f5h&AN=759272&site= ehost-live Shropshire, W. O. (1997). Of being & getting: Academic honesty. Liberal Education. 83(4), p24. Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://search. ebscohost. com/ login. aspx? direct=true&db=ehh&AN=158092&site=ehost-live