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Using Information Ethically

This guide will introduce you to the importance of using information ethically in your academic work. We will discuss academic integrity, strategies for avoiding plagiarism, and ethical issues with generative artificial intelligence.

What Is Academic Integrity?

Academic integrity is respecting our own rights and the rights of others while also taking responsibility for our actions. UNC's Office of Student Conduct and Accountability stresses the importance of practicing academic integrity in college to instill a foundation of integrity in all areas of our lives. 

Understanding Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to be fair, honest, and respectful in all the work that you do for your college classes.  

Three things you can do to help with academic integrity are:

  1. Demonstrate your skills and abilities
  2. Respect the work of others
  3. Follow instructors' expectations

Academic misconduct occurs when someone cheats, plagiarizes, fabricates, or is otherwise not honest about their own work. UNC's Code of Conduct defines academic misconduct as:

"Cheating (the use, or attempt to use, academic work, material, information or study aids that are not permitted by the instructor), plagiarism (the use of another person’s work or reuse of your own work without giving proper credit to the original source), fabrication (the creation of material or a source that does not exist to use as authority in academic work), or other acts of academic dishonesty."

You can be flagged for academic misconduct even when you inadvertently do something, so be aware of class policies and follow assignment instructions.  

This module will help you understand academic integrity, what constitutes academic misconduct, and provide tips on how to avoid misconduct, whether it is plagiarism, cheating, citation or writing errors, or unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.  

UNC's Student Code of Conduct

Funny Video on What is Acceptable and Unacceptable Relating to Academic Misconduct