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Academic misconduct and scientific misconduct are similar to a great degree. There are some differences between the both. The former pertains to the academic community, whereas the latter caters specifically to the professional, scientific community. In essence, misconduct in the literary world sabotages the integrity of the research process. Scientific misconduct is a heinous transgression, and it can have disastrous consequences. Academic and scientific misconduct violates the principles upheld by the academic community. It dishonours scholarship, which has serious repercussions for society as a whole. It can be damaging to the people and the environment. Scientific misconduct can lead to wastage of resources and loss of trust. It can cause irreparable damage to the scientific community.

This article aims to highlight the key differences between academic and scientific misconduct. It will also provide guidelines for students to avoid academic misconduct. 

What is Academic Misconduct? 

Academic misconduct pertains to cheating or actions to gain unfair educational advantages. According to the, academic misconduct comprises those actions that violate the integrity of research. It encapsulates the following:

• Attempts to gain unfair academic advantage
• Helping others to gain an unfair academic advantage in formal university assignments or tasks
• Possession of unauthorized materials or electronic devices during examinations

Types of Academic Misconduct

Let us discuss in detail what the different types of academic misconduct are. 

• Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the most common example of academic misconduct. It has become a nuisance for higher education and universities. Plagiarism constitutes presenting another person’s work as your own without proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism is when you copy another person’s work. If you do not cite the source intentionally or unintentionally, it amounts to plagiarism. 

• Collusion

Collusion is another type of academic misconduct. It entails unauthorized student collaboration in research work. It also pertains to plagiarism since the collaborators are not given proper acknowledgement. 

• Falsification 

Another example of academic misconduct is presenting falsified, fictitious or distorted data. It also covers using fictional evidence, references, citations and experimental results in your study.

• Cheating

Cheating pertains to obtaining or giving help for an unfair academic advantage during an examination. It also consists of submitting the work done by others as your own. 

• Deceit

Submitting your previously assessed work for any other assignment is tantamount to deceit to achieve an unfair advantage. 

• Impersonating someone or being impersonated

If you ask someone to appear in your examination or, if you impersonate someone else for an exam, it is within the domain of academic dishonesty. 

What is Scientific Misconduct?

Scientific misconduct pertains to altering data, adjusting calculations, and being dishonest about the scientific process. Let us discuss what scientific misconduct is.  

• Falsification

Fabrication of data and selective reporting of findings which omits conflicting data and distorts the results.

• Plagiarism

Using another scientist’s language, ideas without acknowledging them.

• Improprieties of authorship

It includes excluding co-authors and including those individuals who have not contributed to the research work. 

• Misappropriating the ideas of your colleagues

Improper use of your colleagues’ ideas shared in secrecy or for the sake of discussion is scientific misconduct.

• Violation of Legislative and Regulatory Requirements

Violation of safety precautions in case of chemical usage, human and animal test subjects.  Also, if you misuse research funds, equipment and investigative drugs, it is equal to scientific misconduct.  

Consequences of Scientific Misconduct

The implications of scientific misconduct are far greater than academic misconduct. It may result in the loss of trust among colleagues. It can also impair the relationship between researchers and funding agencies. It makes the grant approvals more difficult. These academic misconducts can ruin student’s research. If you want to avoid these misconducts, you can surely get help from a trusted dissertation writing service to make your research work trustworthy.

How Can Students Avoid Academic Misconduct?

Coursework writing services experts suggest the following methods for students to avoid academic dishonesty. 

• Ask your instructor to give you a timetable of your assessments early in the semester. It gives you a lot of time to prepare for each assignment.
• While making an assignment, you should identify the sources from which you are making notes.  
• Keep a diary or a notebook to remember the references if you are using their exact words or ideas
• You should be aware of the citations and references format for your subject. Watch tutorials for various referencing styles
• Spend time to organize your bibliography and make sure to include every source which you have cited in your work
• Try to access the original sources if you encounter any theory or evidence cited by another author. 
• Even if you are paraphrasing someone else’s work, cite it properly
• Don’t wait until the last night to complete your assignment
• Don’t share your assignments with your classmates
• If you are late for an assignment, ask for an extension
• In the classroom, exams choose carefully where you sit and hide your answers from others

Conclusion

Academic and scientific misconduct can be intentional or unintentional, but it amounts to plagiarism in any case. We hope that by following the methods mentioned above, you will avoid academic misconduct in the future.