ACADEMIC INTEGRITY vs. INTEGRITY
According to the Journal of Education, there seem to be some disparities between students and institutions as to defining academic integrity. Integrity is defined as “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty” (Dictionary.com 2008).
In Samuel Johnson’s novel, The History of Rasselas, character Prince of Abissinia, said, “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful” (Andrews, Biggs, & Seidel, 1996.)
Trying to define academic integrity in my own words has me pondering over a vast array of information. I have ascertained that it is defined by one’s actions. Academic Integrity, in my opinion, is having the knowledge of what is expected of your conduct as a student and choosing to abide by those guidelines. The keyword here is choosing: choosing to be moral, ethical, and honest is having integrity. Is there a secret code to this? I believe there is. It is called a code of ethics. I do not see a real difference between academic integrity and any other integrity. You either have it or you choose not too. If you have a strong code of ethics, which I believe is where your integrity comes from, you will uphold it not just in your academics, but throughout your life. I truly believe academic integrity creates an upright conduct for society and not just for institutions. You see this in many different fields of study. However, while the concept of integrity remains constant, ethics tend to adapt to societal change (Martin, 2009.) A law student will have to take a pledge to be admitted to the bar. This is a great example of how integrity is constant. However, as in adapting to societal change, you will also see ethics adapt as well. For example, on February 23, 2012, the Arkansas Supreme Court joined a national movement and changed the pledge that lawyers take to be admitted to the bar to include a pledge of civility. The APA helps maintain the academic integrity of institutions by giving us guidelines to go by. This will instill a great code of ethics that we will carry with us long after we graduate.
I believe critical thinking is a cornerstone to maintaining academic integrity.
By learning to think critically, you are able to write scholarly. Scholarly writing is presenting genuine, original work. Maybe you know what you want to say but are not sure how to say it. There is nothing better than researching a topic to discover an accredited author who feels the same way you do on a subject. If you realize that this author says something in a way that explains what you are trying to convey to your reader, then maybe you can put these agreements between you and the author in your own words. Critical thinking gives you the ability to decipher between which of these thoughts were truly yours and which were the authors. By being able to discern the difference between these two, you will then know which parts of your assignment need to be cited to uphold your academic integrity.
The integrity you learn in your academics will be carried with you throughout your life. This is not to say that as you continue to grow in knowledge your views on certain issues will not waver, but your morals and values will be constant. Applying this to your work environment will come naturally. For example, If you have a project at work and are playing with ideas of how to go about it in your mind and a co-worker offers you an idea at lunch break that you think is awesome, it is your integrity that will be the deciding factor as to whether or not you mention her name as credit to the idea when the project is completed and given to your employer. Not only does this affect your personal integrity as to how you feel and what you will think of yourself, but it will play an even greater role in your work environment. You can create great lasting relationships with co-workers who trust your integrity, or you can create an uncomfortable work environment by not having the integrity to do what is right. Maintaining integrity in your career can bring you great success as well as a sense of pride.
References
Dictionary.com. 2008. “Integrity.” Dictionary.com Unabridged (v1.1).
(accessed September 21, 2008).
Andrews, Robert, Mary Biggs, & Michael Seidel, eds. 1996. The Columbia World of Quotations. New York: Columbia University Press. (September 21, 2008).
Martin, M, A. (2009, January 01).
Leadership: Integrity and the APA Code of Ethics. Knowledge Quest, (3), 6, Retrieved from http://elibrary.bigchalk.com