INTEGRITY IN GRADUATE STUDY: A GRADUATE SCHOOL GUIDE
The question of integrity in scientific research is one which has received considerable attention not only in academic circles but also in the news media. A few serious cases of fraud have recently made all of us in higher education especially sensitive to our vulnerability on this issue. These cases, largely in the sciences, have often come to light when attempts to replicate some of the work have failed. In the social sciences and to a larger degree the humanities a second problem, that of plagiarism, assumes greater prominence. A third area is that of cheating, which in the case of a qualifying examination pertains only to graduate students. A fourth, often a murky area in which the integrity of graduate study is open to criticism, involves abuses of confidentiality. And finally, a fifth area is that in which conflicts of interest arise in relationships between faculty members and students.
Although the ethical decisions involved in maintaining integrity in their work may seem very clear to some graduate students, they may not appear to be so clear to others, and some possibly very few, may not even be aware that there is a potential for problems with integrity in research. For these reasons and to help its constituent units in the event that fraud, plagiarism, cheating, abuses of confidentiality, or conflict of interest should arise, the KUMC Graduate School has developed guidelines. These guidelines must be adhered to by all Nurse Anesthesia Students. The full guidelines can be found in the Graduate Studies section of the KUMC Student Handbook which is available online at
http://www.kumc.edu/studenthandbook/graduate.html. PROFITS: PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM Specification of Academic Misconduct
PROFITS upholds behaviors reflective of individual responsibility, mutual trust, professional values, and standards. PROFITS values an academic environment free of academic misconduct or abuse of academic resources. When in doubt, the student must clarify with the instructor, the appropriateness of behaviors that may violate PROFITS. The following are non-acceptable behaviors.
Examinations
Misconduct includes positioning an examination paper so that others can see the answers to the questions and passing or sharing answers to an examination during the examination period, through verbal or nonverbal behaviors. Examinations, case scenarios and completing required written objectives will be completed as scheduled. Students are allowed to discuss the cases with other students enrolled in the course. However, after the questions are distributed (or in the case of computer on-line exams, when the exam questions are accessed for the first time), students are required to work independently. Working together after that point will constitute misconduct.
Papers
Plagiarizing, the presentation of the words or ideas of another person without proper citation or attribution is considered academic misconduct, as is submitting a paper that you did not write yourself, and submitting the same paper that has been turned in to fulfill the requirements for another course. Students who consider writing a paper on a topic they have addressed to fulfill the requirements of another course should first talk to the course professor. Students are encouraged to seek editorial feedback regarding writing style, APA style, and clarity of papers from other students, professional colleagues, or staff of the Student Services Department, Student Center. Reference in a paper to information obtained from non-print materials (e.g. videotapes, scholarly presentations, on-line computer sources) must be cited according to APA style. Failure to do so will be considered plagiarism.
PROFITS PLEDGE
Each student will sign the following honor pledge before beginning classes as a nurse anesthesia student:
“I pledge that I will not give, receive, or tolerate unauthorized aid, nor will I abuse academic resources while I am a member of this academic community.
I will not engage in fraudulent scientific behaviors nor intentionally commit acts of plagiarism.
I will not breech patient confidentiality.
I understand that violation of this pledge is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.”
STUDENT CONDUCT CODE
The Medical Center is the campus for your education and a hospital complex devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of the sick. Thus, it is imperative that students conduct themselves in such a manner as to maintain both the professionalism which typifies those who dedicate themselves to maintenance of health through education, service and research, and hygienic conditions most conducive to the maintenance of health. Since you have chosen to become a health professional, it is our view that such professionalism reflected by appropriate behavior, appearance and personal hygiene should begin on the first day of school and continue throughout your career.
Appropriate behavior around the sick and their families should reflect the student's understanding and concern for them and can be expressed by proper speech and demeanor. Attire must be appropriate to the profession which is practiced here. It must be tempered and guided by a consideration for the sensibilities and medical requirements of patients, their families, friends, fellow students and colleagues.
Custodial service is furnished for major cleaning of the hospital and classrooms; however, each person must be responsible for picking up after himself/herself and policing the student lounge/study areas. Classrooms must be cleaned prior to dismissal of class. Scrap paper and similar waste products will be placed in proper trash receptacles.