Lab, Studio & Group Work

In labs, and in any work which involves the collection of data, it is sometimes tempting to create data which supports your preconceived notion of how things should turn out, or which give the “right” answers. You should leave yourself enough time to redo your work if things seem to be going wrong, or, maybe more importantly, you should discuss the results with your instructor to see if there is a way to present them that shows why they are not what might be expected. Learning is more important than getting an expected answer.

In group projects it is the responsibility of all members of the group to uphold the academic integrity of the project and not to put the other members of the group at risk. Collaboration on a project is only permissible when the instructor says that it is. If you are not sure, then you should ask.

The Code of Conduct states the following with regard to Group work:

Group Misconduct

• It is recognized that students are sometimes required to complete assignments, projects, papers or tests in a group. If academic misconduct occurs in group work, one or more members of the group may be charged.

• When academic misconduct is suspected, an instructor must determine which of the group members are involved. The instructor will meet with the students either as a group or individually, at the instructor’s discretion.

• Students may also request an individual meeting with the instructor

Only those students in the group who have committed academic misconduct will be penalized. The instructor will determine an appropriate means of evaluating the work of those students not involved in the misconduct on the assignment.

For more information on plagiarism in lab, studio and group work see Collaborative Work.