Integrity in and Beyond Contemporary Higher Education: What Does it Mean to University Students?

Abstract

Research has focused on academic integrity in terms of students’ conduct in relation to university rules and procedures, whereas fewer studies examine student integrity more broadly. Of particular interest is whether students in higher education today conceptualize integrity as comprising such broader attributes as personal and social responsibility. We collected and analyzed qualitative responses from 127 students at the National University of Singapore to understand how they define integrity in their lives as students, and how they envisage integrity would be demonstrated in their lives after university. Consistent with the current literature, our data showed that integrity was predominantly taken as “not plagiarizing (in school)/giving appropriate credit when credit is due (in the workplace)”, “not cheating”, and “completing tasks independently”. The survey, though, also revealed further perceptions such as, in a university context, “not manipulating data (e.g., scientific integrity)”, “being honest with others”, “group work commitments”, “conscience/moral ethics/holding true to one’s beliefs”, “being honest with oneself”, “upholding a strong work ethic”, “going against conventions”, and “reporting others”, as well as, in a workplace context, “power and responsibility and its implications”, “professionalism”, and “representing or being loyal to an organization”. The findings suggest that some students see the notion of integrity extending beyond good academic conduct. It is worthwhile to (re)think more broadly what (else) integrity means, discover the gaps in our students’ understanding of integrity, and consider how best we can teach integrity to prepare students for future challenges to integrity and ethical dilemmas.

Impact of COVID-19 on General Chemistry Education at the United States Military Academy

“…A documentation cover page, a reminder of the expectation to uphold the honor code by which every USMA student must abide, and trust that students would do so addressed academic integrity considerations. Likely as a result of the emphasis on the honor code, the systems in place at USMA to address honor violations, and regular reinforcement and application of documentation of academic work, there were no known academic integrity issues that arose from the exam …”

“…Likely as a result of the emphasis on the honor code, the systems in place at USMA to address honor violations, and regular reinforcement and application of documentation of academic work, there were no known academic integrity issues that arose from the exam. 28 As in previous academic terms, the final exam was administered in two parts. Part one was administered via Mastering Chemistry with one allowed attempt using the American Chemical Society Full-Year General Chemistry Exam library of multiple-choice questions that were adapted for the COVID-19 environment.…”

How researchers perceive research misconduct in biomedicine and how they would prevent it: A qualitative study in a small scientific community

“…Science has become a very competitive endeavor. Ideally, the scientists should be honest, independent in their work, have good relations with their colleagues, and be loyal to the organization where they work (Wong, Lim, and Quinlan 2016) However, the environment where scientific performance is measured by the number of publications, combined with constant pressure to obtain funds for research, creates the potential for the occurrence of unethical behaviors (Edwards and Roy 2017).…”

Professional ethical competence for medical students: a qualitative study

“…Academic integrity signifies copy and cheating prevention; however, it may be widely defined. In a qualitative study, students referred to other factors including being honest with oneself and others, fulfilling group work commitments, reporting ethical violations, and etc (21). Academic integrity as well as learning technical aspects of medicine along with honesty and no cheating cause sincere service delivery of graduated students and avoid patients injuries.…”