Project Approach

A crucial feature of this project is that it aims to explore academic integrity as a student-led and student-driven bottom-up approach, intended to supplement the administration-driven top-down approach to academic integrity. Naturally, in order to successfully get students engaged in academic integrity related activities, we need to understand student perceptions and attutudes in this context, and ensure that the approach undertaken is considered feasible by relevant, experienced stakeholders. For this reason, it was important to gather relevant information from students and appropriate staff, both quantitative as well as qualitative, and analyse it.


Academic Integrity Student Survey (December 2012 - May 2013)

A sizable number of students (jointly 5538 from three institutions: Macquarie University [MQ], Australian Catholic University [ACU] and Sydney University [USyd], together with SIBT as part of MQ) participated in this initial data collection component of the project. The data gathered from this anonymous, online survey identified how students perceive academic integrity, gaps in how academic integrity principles and policies are disseminated at institutions, and has provided insight into how students (prefer to) engage with academic integrity processes and resources at their enrolled institution. Crucially, findings from the survey were also used to identify the key issues that formed focus group discussion points for student focus groups and the questions utilised in structured interviews questions. Demographic data was sought in order to test for relationships between the type of student and preferences with regards to resources and mode of engagement with academic integrity information.

Student Focus Groups (June - August 2013)

Following the academic integrity online student survey, focus groups were conducted with 40 student volunteers from the three institutions that participated in the survey. To include a more diverse range of students in this component of the data collection, the project allowed distance students to respond to (onsite) focus group questions via an online questionnaire. The aim of the focus groups was to identify deeper contextual issues regarding student expectations, preconceptions and concerns about academic honesty and to obtain suggestions to improve student engagement with academic integrity. We also identified resources that students were most likely to engage with. Detailed insight into students' experiences of the academic integrity culture at their universities was garnered, together with feedback regarding the viability of a student academic integrity group.

Structured Interviews (August - December 2013)

To explore the feasibility of a grass-roots level student group to promote academic integrity, and to assess the applicability of such a concept across different university environments, structured, 20-minute telephone interviews were conducted with staff and student with the following positions:

Forty interviews have been conducted across 20 out of the 39 Australian universities. Given their particular roles and responsibilities, these participants were in a unique position to provide insight into the unique issues that students face with regards to engaging with academic integrity processes on campus (i.e., perceptions of the efficacy of various policies, common problems faced by students and suggestions on how to alleviate academic misconduct).

Academic Integrity Student Group Brainstorm (ongoing) *current stage*

The project is currently in the process of recruiting interested students at Macquarie University and assisting them in formulating terms of reference for the academic integrity student group. Based on feedback collected from students and staff in the three data collection stages of the project, the envisaged roles, function and recommended activities of the academic integrity student society are depicted for easy reference in the following diagrams.


Figure 1: Roles of Academic Integrity student group


Figure 2: Main functions and activities of Academic Integrity student group

Merge with International Academic Integrity Matters Student Organisation (IAIMSO) - setting up the first international chapter

The newly implemented academic integrity student group at Macquarie University will be invited to join the IAIMSO, founded by the Academic Integrity Student Organisation at UC San Diego and its Director, international academic integrity expert, Dr Tricia Bertram Gallant, in 2011. IAIMSO consists of student leaders from all levels of education from high school to graduate school. The overall aim of the Organisation is to positively affect academic integrity culture via education and outreach programs. Participation in IAIMSO will afford Macquarie Chapter students the chance to work together with like-minded students in the US and other countries; improve leadership skills and provide students with the opportunity to make a lasting, positive contribution to academic integrity.

Dr Tricia Betram Gallant tells us more about IAIMSO

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