Academic Integrity - Assignment Example

Academic Integrity In the article, “Exclusive: Doctors Cheated on Exams”, Zamost, Griffin and Ansari (para explain the integrity issues related to massive examination cheating by physicians in the country. The authors express dismay on the level of academic dishonesty involved in this highly critical and sensitive profession. Doctors cheating using ‘recalls’ questions the authenticity of the results and also brings confusion regarding the actual capabilities of individual physicians. The case is an example of deteriorating academic standards caused by lack of integrity in education. Academic integrity must be upheld, or else education will not offer its perceived benefits to individuals and the society. The credibility of results is the most important aspect of academics. Scholars must ensure that they maintain the integrity in academics by ensuring that they provide original work and also credit other people works. Integrity in education is closely related to leadership and success in public life. Leadership is highly dependent on integrity. A person who shows integrity in education can also depict the same integrity traits in a leadership position. Thus, integrity is vital to effective leadership. Integrity also affects a person’s success in public life. People get more inclined to people whose integrity is not questionable. People with clear integrity records have a more positive public perception and thus command respect from the people and have a high chance of getting into leadership positions. In contrast, people with questionable integrity receive a negate perception and are always reprimanded by the public. An example is the public outrage after the revelations that doctors cheated in their examinations. MSU has a clear policy on academic integrity and outlines the condition that warrant a violation of academic integrity. The University acknowledges that loss of integrity in education is costly to individuals and society as whole (msu.edu). The society loses by absorbing graduates who are not credible and have not fulfilled the academic requirements. Such graduates are low on expertise and may not be competent enough to handle crucial aspects suck as health. Cheating in an examination that determine the competency of individuals is a loss to the society. The result is incompetence and low quality of services. MSU philosophy encourages creativity, research and scholarship (Michigan State University, “Our Philosophy”). It is worth noting that research gaps are easily identified when a student has a thorough understanding of the existing literature. Cheating thus deprives the society of new insights that may solve existing problems. For example, upon reviewing current studies and literature, a medicine student can find better ways of mitigating illnesses. Such a study is of benefit to the society. Cheating is regarded as a betrayal to the society. Students who cheat in examinations deprive themselves a chance to learn more about their professions. The situation can be regarded as betrayal not only to themselves by to the people who they will serve after completing their courses. The society expects, and deserves utmost competency and professionalism from graduates. The Michigan State University outlines self-plagiarism as one of the three major sources of dishonesty (Michigan State University, “Plagiarism”). Self-plagiarism is a consequence of ineffective time management and general laxity in academics. Social consciousness is important in defining success in education. Surveys on attitude to education enable a person to get an insight into the relationship between education and attitude. I appreciate that a positive attitude towards education is a stepping stone towards a successful education achievement. The analysis of the responses to the survey indicates that my attitude towards education is based on a larger social context. In addition, my opinion on education takes into consideration the interests of the society. The survey shows that I take education as a societal good that is meant to benefit and lift the status of the society. Tis implies that happenings in the education sector have direct effects to the society. As such, academicians and students should always have societal considerations when undertaking any educational endeavors. It follows that success in education means a more prosperous society. Thus, education stakeholders must uplift the confidence that the society has in education by ensuring that academic integrity is upheld. Hard work and dedication in both educational and social life are the drivers to a better future. I aspire to be successful in both contexts. I aspire to have a successful family that will be bound by responsibility and trust. Moreover, I aspire to succeed academically. My goal is to achieve graduate status with high academic grades and achievements. By the end of my studies, I aspire to conduct a study on my area of expertise in order to add knowledge to the field. Also, my educational endeavors will be guided by ethics and integrity. Achieving my goals will require several adjustments in my academic, social and professional life. First, time management will be important in ensuring that all activities area covered on time. Success in academics requires discipline in time management. Time management improves quality of education and also preserves the integrity of education. I will utilize time efficiently by making informed priorities (“Time management” para. 10). Poor time management is a major cause of plagiarism. Students who do not have enough time to complete their assignments always tend to copy other people works. Thus, time management skills will be needed to enhance academic integrity. As noted, I aspire to conduct a research in the course of my education. Research undertakings require discipline and self-motivation. To do this, I will make sure that I read as many books and literature as possible from my field of study. The action will ensure that gather enough knowledge to warrant a research. Usually, a research process is triggered by a research gap that is only identifiable after a lengthy reading. I will consult professionals on issues that require clarifications. Moreover, I will ensure that I acknowledge any copied information. In conclusion, academic integrity is supposed to be enforced to enhance the quality of education and also the competitiveness of graduates. Moreover, academic integrity enhances academic and scholarly research that avails solutions to problems in the society. As noted, education integrity ensures that graduates are equipped with powers to do all that pertains to their degrees. Such persons are acceptable in the society and are crucial in offering professional guidance and leadership to the community. As such, academic integrity should be enforced with severe penalties for people who defy the quest for originality. Works cited "MSU Policies, Regulations and Ordinances Regarding Academic Honesty and Integrity." Michigan State University. MSU, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. "Our Philosophy." The Writing Center at MSU. Michigan State University, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2015. "Plagiarism." Michigan State University. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. "Time Management." Study Guides and Strategies. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. Zamost, Scott, Drew Griffin, and Azadeh Ansari. "Exclusive: Doctors Cheated on Exams .com." CNN. N.p., 13 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. Read More