Cheating and plagiarism

Cheating (academic misconduct) includes actions or situations aimed at giving the student an unfair advantage in exams or coursework requirements. It also includes actions or situations intended to grant the student unauthorized access to exams or diplomas.

Examples of cheating or attempted cheating in exams or coursework requirements include:

• Using or having access to unauthorized aids after the exam or test has started. This also applies to failing to log in to the exam tool when the exam/test has started.
• Collaborating on the solution/answer when collaboration is not permitted.
• Acting in a way that unfairly provides an advantage in exams or coursework requirements.

Examples of plagiarism include:

• Presenting someone else’s work as your own without proper citation and/or clear quotation marks.
• Using someone else’s material but modifying it to some extent. An example is paraphrasing, where the original material is rephrased slightly, keeping identifiable elements, and failing to credit the original source. This also applies to the use of AI-generated material.
• Forging or fabricating data, including citing fictional sources.
• Reusing your previously submitted work that has already earned credits without sufficient acknowledgment (self-plagiarism).

Østfold University of Applied Sciences uses text recognition software to check for plagiarism in exams and coursework submissions via platforms like WISEflow, Canvas, and others.

When a document is uploaded, the software detects textual similarities with other sources and documents. These sources may include academic literature, articles, previously submitted assignments, compendiums, codes, lecture materials, etc.

Cheating and plagiarism can have serious consequences for you as a student.

If you are suspected of cheating or plagiarising, a case will be opened and investigated further. You will have the opportunity to explain your side before the case is sent to the institution's Student Appeals Board. The board reviews the case and makes a decision on sanctions.

Cheating or attempted cheating/plagiarism may result in:

• Cancellation of the exam/annulment of a grade
• Suspension from the institution for up to one year.
• In particularly severe cases, suspension for up to two years.

During suspension, you cannot enroll in studies at Østfold University of Applied Sciences or take exams at this or other norwegian institutions governed by the Universities and University Colleges Act.

Cheating/plagiarism in coursework requirements is treated as seriously as in exams.