All work submitted for assessment or during examinations at STARS International University® must be the candidate's own. Any action by a candidate that may mislead examiners and moderators regarding the authorship and preparation process of the submitted work is considered a violation. This also includes misleading information regarding the sources used in the work.

Introduction:

All academic writing must include a full acknowledgment of all sources of information used in the preparation of the work. This applies to both written and electronic sources. If the work is completed under examination conditions, it is sufficient to indicate the source without full citation.

Our Vision:

Candidates are prohibited from bringing any means of accessing information into the examination hall, including:

1. Internet-enabled devices (computers, tablets, interactive whiteboards, etc.);
2. Mobile phones or other messaging devices;
3. Books, journals, or notes.
4. If such materials are absolutely necessary, they must be handed over to the invigilator (and electronic devices switched off)
5. before the start of the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the specification or the assignment itself, candidates must prepare their work independently.

Types of Academic Misconduct:

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of another person's intellectual work without acknowledgment and the presentation of another author's ideas or discoveries as one's own in written work submitted for assessment.

1. Copying sentences or phrases without acknowledgment (either with insufficient citation or without quotation marks) is considered plagiarism.
2. Paraphrasing without acknowledgment is also plagiarism. Direct quotations must be enclosed in quotation marks or set out as a block quotation and clearly indicated as a quotation.
3. Ignorance of citation rules or deliberate disregard for them is considered plagiarism.

Impersonation:

This is a situation where someone else prepares the work submitted by the candidate, including purchasing or commissioning an essay from a third party (including websites or other students) or asking someone to sit an examination on their behalf. Candidates arriving at an examination without a student ID card or other photographic identification (e.g., passport) will not be assessed until their identity has been verified.

Examination Irregularities:

This includes the possession of, or attempt to access, books, websites, notes, unauthorized calculators, or any other materials not provided by the invigilator. It is also forbidden to assist another candidate, attempt to obtain assistance, or engage in any communication within the examination room.

Investigation of Academic Misconduct:

1. Detection of Plagiarism

Allegations of plagiarism may be made by markers or moderators.

1. Irregularities Detected During an Examination

Cheating is recorded by the invigilator on an irregularity report. This report is attached to the candidate's work, and sanctions are applied.

Candidates are prohibited from working in groups. If the work of several candidates is found to be excessively similar, marks will be reduced. If a candidate has knowingly allowed another to copy their work, sanctions will be applied to both.

Sanctions:

1. Warning

Marks are not reduced, but the candidate receives a warning that such actions are unacceptable and must not be repeated.

1. Reduction of Mark to Pass Standard

Marks are reduced to the minimum pass standard, allowing the candidate to pass the assessment component but precluding the possibility of achieving a higher grade (e.g., a distinction).

Sanctions:

1. Zero Mark for the Assignment

If misconduct is identified in only one part of an assignment or examination, the mark for that component may be zeroed.

1. Zero Mark for All Assessments

If misconduct is identified across multiple assessments/examinations in succession, all marks for that module may be zeroed.