The basis of academic integrity is the writing of the original author's scientific works, “stealing” other people's texts and thoughts, and lack of adequate references to primary sources in the work is a direct violation not only of ethical norms but also of the law. Manifestations of academic dishonesty - such as copying, plagiarism, and corruption - cannot be decisive for the entire system of education, in particular higher education, because they destroy it, turning the educational process into imitation. Dishonesty in education has a negative effect on the whole society and on each individual because it creates a system in which it is impossible to achieve success in an honest way, and such a society/country cannot be successful in the long run.
The basis of academic integrity is the writing of the original author's scientific works, “stealing” other people's texts and thoughts, and lack of adequate references to primary sources in the work is a direct violation not only of ethical norms but also of the law. The problem of plagiarism in academic and scientific works has recently become quite acute. This is not the least due to the intensive computerization and informatization of all aspects of human life. The use of electronic devices and the World Wide Web greatly increases educational and research opportunities, but at the same time, as it often happens with scientific and technological advances, it creates new threats and increases the danger of certain negative manifestations. In the case of plagiarism, we are talking about an ancient and well-known phenomenon, colloquially known as “writing off”.
The student, having entered the university and thereby proving his desire to obtain a higher education, voluntarily agreed to the existing rules of the educational process and explicitly undertook to fulfill them. The student must successfully complete the curriculum, that is, master a certain set of knowledge, acquire certain skills and abilities (or acquire certain competencies defined by the educational program), and certify this by passing control measures, after which he is assigned the appropriate qualification. They can’t use plagiarism and cheating during studying at college or university. Students should prepare non plagiarized essays or other papers. A student who passes off the educational achievements of another person as his own, for example, submits a master's thesis that he did not write for defense, is subject to punishment for violating the rules of the educational process, up to expulsion from the university.
According to the rules, the qualification can be awarded only if the student has mastered certain knowledge and mastered certain skills, which is demonstrated, in particular, by performing and defending the corresponding graduation thesis, while the conscious submission to the defense of the thesis that the student did not perform directly certifies contrary. It is clear that the systematic toleration of such violations will inevitably lead to the destruction of the very idea of higher education.
And finally, what should be noted. Completion of homework helps the student to be successful in their studies. And this, in turn, leads to the fact that he will be able to be successful and self-fulfilled in the profession he has chosen for himself. After all, during the period of studying at the college, he will get used to achieving success and will strive to be on this wave for the rest of his life.
Successful prevention of plagiarism is possible only if there is a mandatory and sufficiently strict reaction to each detected case. Random checks of academic and research papers, especially when it comes to papers submitted for an educational qualification or a scientific degree or academic title, are necessary. If plagiarism is discovered, the punishment should be public and severe.