Support in assessments

Advance Assessments takes learner misconduct very seriously.  Please read and follow the guidance below to avoid putting your qualification in jeopardy. This list is not exhaustive and other instances of misconduct may be considered by Advance Assessments at its discretion.

Academic misconduct is to gain, or attempt to gain, an unfair academic advantage including plagiarism, collusion or impersonation, contract cheating, fabrication of data and possession of unauthorised materials (e.g. during exams).                  

Plagiarism in assignments

Plagiarism is using, without acknowledgement, someone else’s ideas or work.

If you submit assessment evidence that contains work that is not your own, without clearly indicating this to the assessor (this means acknowledging your sources using academic referencing), you are committing plagiarism and this is misconduct.

This might occur in a submission of evidence when a learner has:

• used a choice phrase or sentence found in work that is not their own or has been translated from another source
• copied text word-for-word directly from a book or other source
• paraphrased (put into your words) or translated the words from a text or other source very closely
• used text downloaded from the internet, including that found on social networks
• taken statistics or assembled facts from another person or source
• copied or downloaded images, photographs, pictures or diagrams without acknowledging their sources
• used text from assignment writing sites, organisations or private individuals
• copied comments or notes from a tutor
• copied from the notes of a fellow learner
• given a fellow apprentice their work to use
• worked together with a fellow learner on an assignment that should be completed individually. This is collusion
• paid for work from other sources and submitted it as their own. This is contract cheating
• submitted the same work already submitted by the learner for another assignment. This is self-plagiarism
• not referenced sources correctly, such as missing or incorrect references. Not consistently using a recognised referencing scheme can also be poor academic practice
• falsified evidence or mitigating circumstances for not submitting an assignment on time
• fabricated data, evidence or results included in an assignment.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in assignments

Plagiarism and misconduct are also possible through the inappropriate use of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, as a research tool. When using AI, the tool used should be appropriately referenced and documented.

Instances of plagiarism or misconduct for AI may include when a learner has:

• copied text word-for-word directly from an AI source
• used a choice phrase or sentence found in work that is not their own or has been translated from an AI source
• paraphrased (put into your words) or translated the words from an AI source very closely
• used text downloaded from an AI source
• taken statistics or assembled facts directly and/or solely from an AI source, you must cross reference statistics or facts taken from an AI source
• copied or downloaded images, photographs, pictures or diagrams without acknowledging the AI source
• not stated the use of AI in their answer, where appropriate
• not clearly or correctly referenced AI sources.

The AI statement in the references section typically includes which AI was used, why it was used, what input was used for the results and where the AI output was used in the assignment.  Keeping your own records of the use of AI can be helpful, such as with a screenshot.

Impersonation

This is having another impersonate you when completing online tests/presentations/interviews.

Falsifying records/certificates

This is altering, substituting or fraudulently obtaining a certificate required as part of your entry requirements for admission to a course leading to an AA recognised qualification or EPA Gateway.

Using falsified witness statements, for example submitting a witness testimony for work that you did not do.

Accessing, or attempting to access, assessment materials in advance of them being available to all learners.

Actions

Apprentices that engage in misconduct will have their certificate awards suspended, pending investigation.  Where necessary, the relevant authorities will be notified.

The qualifications assessed by Advance Assessments are regulated by Ofqual.  To find out how to report concerns to Ofqual, please visit: Ofqual’s whistleblowing policy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you have any concerns about plagiarism, please email: support@advanceassessments.co.uk

Good practice and Academic Integrity in Assessments

A well written assignment gives you the best opportunity for a good grade without misconduct. Academic Integrity is the commitment to demonstrating honest and moral behaviour in your written work and exams.  

Some top tips for avoiding breaches of academic integrity or misconduct, are:

• Read and follow the guidance in your assignment brief.  For example, the requested format, assignment structure and submission requirements.
• Use an appropriate referencing scheme consistently or follow the scheme requested in your assignment brief (typically Harvard referencing scheme). All references cited should be included in the list. Any short direct quotes should have single quotation marks, although paraphrasing your argument in the context of the question is better practice. Sort the reference list alphabetically by surname. (A bibliography is a list of sources reviewed but not cited).
• Clearly reference or state the use of software tools applied in your assignment.
• Clearly reference or state the use of generative AI tools used for your research.
• Engage with the theory through appropriate research. This could be academic or industry sources. For example, where requested, support your analysis with concepts from the recommended text or research area and explain the thinking that supports your answer. Correctly reference and cite your sources (cite is to acknowledge the source in your writing e.g. (Smith, 1991) and remember to add the full reference details to your list too).
• Provide a suitable outcome in your conclusion. For example, if requested to provide feasible, practical, actionable or realistic solutions within the context of the answer, such as for a business or organisation. Show how the conclusion was reached with evidence from the referenced sources.
• Focus on covering the learning outcomes in your answer and think about the assessment criteria or grading rubric and where marks are awarded.
• Follow the word count overall, and for each part of the assignment structure if appropriate.
• Give yourself enough time to plan your research and your writing, including editing and then for submission. Try to keep back-ups of your work with version control, it can help with academic integrity.