Academic Integrity in Different Contexts
Although the circumstances may differ, the values of academic integrity are applicable to life beyond university, no matter what route you choose
Click the sections below to review the different ways that academic integrity is relevant to your future.
Integrity in Scholarship
For those students who are interested in further developing themselves as scholars, adhering to guidelines for producing academic research with integrity is also expected of you. This expectation deepens as you develop as a scholar within your scholarly community.
Scholars conduct their work within academic communities that are knitted together by shared interests and purposes. They often refer to the work of other community members to identify the conversation in which they are participating and the knowledge they are expanding, deepening, or reconsidering. This “intertextual” nature of scholarship means that scholarly publications are interlinked; the integrity of the whole relies on the integrity of each individual work. As a result, scholars work in accordance to mutually agreed guidelines for maintaining the integrity of their scholarship.
Academic integrity values and principles extend to the work of scholars in many of the same ways they apply to students. For instance, scholars:
- are honest to ensure the validity of their work and produce research findings that allow for future innovation
- show that they are trustworthy when conducting research, as they strive to meet the ethical standards for research in their fields by producing results that are reliable and credible.
- demonstrate respect of previous scholarship that formed their own by properly acknowledging these contributions
- understand their role in conducting research responsibly throughout all stages of the research process
- have the courage to always act in accordance with these values
For more information on York’s expectations, see the Senate Policy on Responsible Conduct of Research.
Integrity in the Workplace
Understanding and adopting academic integrity principles will help you develop skills that are important in the workplace. Observing these principles is important for any work completed in co-op or experiential learning opportunities that take place outside the university. These principles constitute an important part of high professional standards and help organizations run efficiently and effectively. Many professions require adherence to ethical standards and codes of conduct. Upholding academic integrity during education instills these values in future professionals.
Within the workplace, you may find that work generated for one purpose may be re-used for other purposes. If anything about a document is unclear – from the source of information to the methods by which data was gathered or analyzed – the work may have to be verified or redone for subsequent projects. Poorly documented work can waste time and resources and can leave a bad impression of the work’s authors. In this way, material produced in contexts beyond the university has audiences that depend on the accuracy and ethical production of the work. More examples include:
- investors want a corporation to be forthright and accurate in reports
- community organizations and government agencies seek to create and publicize well-documented research
- people working in the arts want to collaborate with partners who will acknowledge, celebrate and respect the artistic efforts of others
- employers want employees who use AI-based tools in ways that are ethical and align with the company’s policies
Academic integrity values and principles extend to the workplace in many ways. For instance, employees who are valued are ones who:
- are honest in completing their work, which includes identifying when other sources or tools informed that work
- can be trusted to do what they say they are going do
- treat others fairly and with respect, which includes acknowledging their colleague’s contributions
- take responsibility for their successes and for their mistakes
- have the courage to always act in accordance with these values
Integrity in Broader Society
Academic integrity is not just a set of rules to be followed within educational institutions; its values help shape individuals and societies. When students uphold academic integrity in university, they gain a sense personal responsibility, engage more deeply with their studies, and develop respect for knowledge, ideas, and diverse perspectives. By committing to these values of academic integrity at York, we communicate to society that we take the scholarship and education of our community seriously.
These attributes of academic integrity extend beyond the classroom as they are fundamental for the well-being and progress of society as a whole. In societies where citizens collectively hold a commitment to truth-seeking and intellectual growth, knowledge flourishes, which is essential for addressing societal issues and promoting positive change. By prioritizing honesty and ethical behavior, universities cultivate future leaders who are equipped to make informed and principled decisions and uphold the values that underpin a just and prosperous world.
We hope you have gained an understanding of how important academic integrity is, not only during your time as a student at York, but also how it impacts others in the academic community and how it influences life beyond the university. You can return to this module as a guide throughout your time at York as a reminder of academic integrity’s importance and as a reminder of how to demonstrate it.
For any questions about academic integrity, please reach out to academicintegrity@yorku.ca.
