Academic Honesty at Indiana University
GUIDELINES and RESOURCES

Academic honesty is important at the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science. This handout is to introduce you to the expectations of being a graduate student and the resources to help you be successful.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rhonda Spencer, SLIS Director of Admissions, Placement, and Student Services (email: spencerr@indiana.edu or phone: 812.855.2666).

• Code of Academic Ethics (excerpts from the IU paper Schedule of Classes): Preamble: The central functions of an academic community are learning, teaching, and scholarship. They must be characterized by reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, mutual respect, and openness to constructive change. By accepting membership in this community, an individual neither surrenders rights nor escapes fundamental responsibilities to the entire University community.
• Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct
  • available on the web: www.dsa.indiana.edu/Code
  • addresses: student complaint procedures; misconduct and disciplinary procedures

  Preamble: ...Individual rights are best protected by a collective commitment to mutual respect.

  Policy of Academic and Personal Misconduct (see Parts III and IV) - Faculty are required to report all incidents of academic misconduct to the Dean of Students and may report incidents of personal misconduct, such as classroom incivility. (also in the paper Schedule of Classes)

  Plagiarism (see Part III) - A student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, words, or statements of another person without appropriate acknowledgment. A student must give credit to the originality of others and acknowledge an indebtedness whenever her or she does any of the following:

  1. Quotes another person's actual words, either oral or written;
  2. Paraphrases another person's words, either oral or written;
  3. Uses another person's idea, opinion, or theory; or
  4. Borrows facts, statistics, or other illustrative material, unless the information is common knowledge.
• Citing Sources
  SLIS students need to use correct citation methods in their research. Use a style manual when preparing documents (eg. APA Style Guide or The Chicago Manual of Style) - ask your instructors if they have a preference. Also, ask your instructor if you need help. Other resources are listed here:

  Indiana University Libraries: Library Research Guide Gives links to APA and MLA style manuals. How to cite electronic resources, government publications, international documents, as well as traditional sources.

  Indiana University Libraries: Bibliographic Software

  Writing Tutorial Services Assists students with writing and research. One on one tutoring available. Located in Ballantine 206 - with a branch in the Main Library Information Commons - or call 855-6738 for appointment.

• Other Helpful Resources:

  Student Academic Center
  hosts workshops on learning skills, test anxiety, etc. -- one-on-one help available 316 N. Jordan (corner of 7th and Jordan) or call 855-7313

  Division of Student Affairs
  support offices include:

  Student Ethics and Anti-Harassment Programs
  705 E. 7th Street (855-5419)

  Student Advocates Office -- available to discuss any concerns
  Franklin Hall 206 (855-0761)

• Computing Ethics:

  UITS (University Information Technology Services) at Indiana University:

  This website has links to lots of resources and guidelines. Computer Users' Privileges and Responsibilities - Ethical Usage reminds that "computing resources and network capacity should be used in accordance with the high ethical standards of the University community as described in the Code of Student Ethics... Examples of unethical use follow; some of them may also be illegal:

  1. Violations of computer system security.
  2. Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others.
  3. Intentional use of computer telecommunication facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others (randomly initiating interactive electronic communications or e-mail exchanges, overuse of interactive network utilities, and so forth).
  4. Use of computing facilities for private business purposes unrelated to the mission of the University or University life.
  5. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating).
  6. Violation of software license agreements.
  7. Violation of network usage policies and regulations.
  8. Violation of another user's privacy.