Title: Different Types of Academic Dishonesty
Course: Academic Integrity > Section: Pages You Can Show Students

Look up "academic integrity" online and you will quickly find that there are a lot of different types of dishonesty that fall under the heading of dishonest behaviors. And depending on the source, there might be a different number. However, many of them are related or can fall under the same umbrellas. For example, St. Petersburg College lists 12 different kinds in their library guides. Let's take a look at six of these groups in the diagram below and some examples.

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The most common forms of dishonesty that occur in academic settings are cheating on tests and plagiarism. Plagiarism, which is taking credit for someone else's work, can be deliberate, such as having someone else write a paper that you put your name on, or accidental, such as not correctly or completely citing a source in your paper.

Cheating can come in the form of copying someone else's work or answers on a test, but it is also giving someone else the answers. This can also fall under collusion, in which two or more students work together on an assignment without the instructor's permission. And that brings up a key point, and one that is frustrating for many students: It can be difficult to know what constitutes dishonesty, and what doesn't. Is studying for a test together cheating or is it a good way to learn more?

Some are easier to define and identify than others. For example, it's never okay to bribe someone, or to buy, sell, or trade test answers. It's not okay to post actual exam questions online. It's not okay to use quote or paraphrase a source without credit.

But in other cases, whether it's cheating or not may come down to what's in the syllabus and the assignment parameters. Does the professor give you study guides made up of questions of their previous exams? Great! That's their choice. But if your buddy in a different section takes the course before you and then gives you the answers, that's dishonesty, and it can land you -- and them! -- in hot water.

Another common version of academic dishonesty is fabrication. This is using a lie or half-truths, either in an assignment (like making up statistics for a paper or using false citations) or even using an excuse to make up an exam you aren't prepared for, such as claiming a family emergency or illness, or that the computer didn't submit your exam results.

The list and examples above are by no means exhaustive. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Assume the test is closed book if your professor doesn't tell you that it's open book and there's nothing in the syllabus (though it can't hurt to clarify). If you're not sure you need to cite a source, cite where you found the information. Ask your instructor, and seek help if you're not sure. You won't get a lower grade for asking ahead of time, but you could stand to lose quite a lot if you don't.