What is considered cheating?

Cheating, in an academic context, is a broad term encompassing a variety of dishonest actions taken to gain an unfair advantage in assessments or other academic work. It undermines the integrity of the educational system and devalues the accomplishments of students who earn their grades honestly. Here's a breakdown of common cheating behaviors:

• Plagiarism: Presenting someone else's work (words, ideas, or other creations) as your own without proper attribution. This includes copying and pasting from websites or books, using another student's paper, or paraphrasing without citing the original source.

• Unauthorized Collaboration: Working with others on assignments or exams when individual work is required, or sharing answers or materials without explicit permission from the instructor.

• Using Unauthorized Materials: Bringing notes, electronic devices, or other prohibited aids into an exam or assessment.

• Obtaining or Sharing Exam Content: Gaining access to exam questions or answers before the test, or distributing exam content to others before or after the exam.

• Contract Cheating: Paying someone else to complete an assignment or exam on your behalf. This is often done through online essay mills or other services.

• Fabrication or Falsification of Data: Making up or altering research data, sources, or other information for academic work.

• Impersonation: Having someone else take an exam or complete an assignment in your place.

Consequences for cheating can range from a failing grade on the assignment or exam to suspension or expulsion from the educational institution. Institutions typically have clear policies outlining what constitutes cheating and the penalties associated with it.