RSS 1.0Research Ethics Series
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Research Ethics has integrity as one of its most essential core values. By focusing on the variety of basic norms and values of the research community, this Series aims at highlighting honesty and responsible ways of doing research across all disciplines.
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The new boundaries of academic integrityThis book extends and completes the construction of the sciences of integrity begun in 2021, and continued at the 2nd IRAFPA International Colloquium in Coimbra, Portugal, 16-18 June 2022. Eleven most accomplished contributions attempt to answer the question of what these new frontiers of integrity are in a changing academic world. If we were to define a unity of tone between them, it would be that of frankness; a unity of analysis, that of rigour; a unity of vision, that of academic rigour; and a unity of character, that of lucid optimism. It is this optimism that allows us to believe that the integrity sciences movement, capable of addressing the personal, relational and systemic levels, is well and truly underway. The ground assumption of the editors is that multidisciplinarity is central and necessary. It is mainly through multidisciplinarity that intellectual propositions can be fully validated, through the subtle variations of disciplinary perspectives and levels of analysis. In order to ethically remain in our own zone of discomfort, we all need this cross-validation, which ensures that everyone,author and reader alike come to a same ground of understanding.
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Distance exams : can targeted warnings discourage cheating?During the COVID-19 sanitary crisis of 2020, many exams were hastily moved to online mode. This revived a much-needed debate on the privacy issues of online proctoring of exams, while the validity and fairness of unproctored exams were increasingly questioned. In a randomized control trial, we send a targeted warning to half of the students who were identified as cheaters in previous exams. We then compare their cheating behavior at the final exam to the group of unwarned cheaters. Preliminary results show that the warning proves effective but does not completely annihilates cheating as the cheating strategies of some students become more sophisticated. We conclude that switching traditional exams to online mode should come with proctoring. When proctoring is not possible, credible and effective anti-cheating technologies should be deployed, together with adequate warnings.
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Didactic evolution of similarity detection software : the example of CompilatioSince 2005, Compilatio has been offering tools to help detect and prevent plagiarism. Users of similarity detection software were initially attracted by the ability to track down cheaters. They are now more aware of the tools and services offered to create an environment that encourages the adoption of integrity and citizenship values, especially digital ones. They are aware that plagiarism is not a passing evil to be eradicated, but a deep-seated temptation that each individual must learn to overcome. The technology used to help teachers spot cheating has also evolved. The approach was initially syntactic, comparing texts formally to detect similarities. It then became semantic, using so-called artificial intelligence techniques to find similarities between different words with the same meaning. The issues related to plagiarism prevention illustrate how technology and pedagogy can be used together to train individuals for their future professional and civic life.
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The professor : a conduit for integrity in the dissertation processPlagiaristic behaviour by students is still considered a deviance that needs to be prevented or cured. Prevention is achieved through training and communication and repression through manual or computerised controls. The qualitative study presented in this article shows that the practice of plagiarism by students is a behaviour that has become normalised. By understanding the logic expressed by the respondents, we argue that every teacher can be a conduit for integrity by adjusting to the challenges of the six stages of dissertation production and by knowing how to respond appropriately. Considering creacollage as a learning option opens up new perspectives here.
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Implementation of an e-proctoring solution for online exams : stumbling blocks for trustThe case illustrates the difficult, but successful, journey of choosing and implementing an e-surveillance tool in a Swiss public university during the COVID-19 health crisis. The importance of this case is to show the difficulty of using new technologies in the public administration, given the conjuncture of several aspects in this type of project, especially for academic projects. This feedback also shows the technical, pedagogical and ethical challenges to be consolidated in order to maintain academic integrity in times of crisis.
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Training the sages of integrityDrawing on his experience in the field and his familiarity with theatrical techniques, Marian Popescu offers us a stimulating reflection on what he ends up calling academic "integrative ethics" and on the role that "wise men of integrity" should play in its implementation. The author develops his proposal by understanding the historical flaws and advances in the field of character education. The training, combining cognitive devices and communicative and dramatic skills of these experts, mediators and referents appears, in his view, to be the key element in the current fight for integrity.
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Rethinking research integrity : a dialogical and reflective approachIn this chapter, we reflect on responsible conduct in research and the need to complement a top-down normative approach with a bottom-up dialogical approach, giving the example of the training sessions organised since October 2019 at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences - i3S based in Porto, Portugal. Research integrity has been the main concern of universities and other research institutions due to the increasing number of cases of research misconduct every year. Although scientific governance documents aim to promote the integrity and accountability of researchers, rather than focusing exclusively on cases of misconduct, they tend to be interpreted as warnings to avoid fabrication, falsification and plagiarism, emphasising the need for sanctions. However, the meaning of integrity for researchers is not homogeneous and can be determined by context. We argue that the integrity of researchers should be promoted in a positive bottom-up approach, without neglecting open, transparent and clear standards and guidelines for responsible conduct.
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Academic integrity at the University of Montenegro : pathway to certificationAcademic dishonesty is one of the major challenges in higher education. In developed countries, higher education institutions have, for some years now, begun to put in place strategies and mechanisms to combat academic misconduct. In developing countries, such as Montenegro, the formalisation of processes to strengthen academic integrity is a relatively new concern. In this paper, we will analyse the framework for the development of a determined academic integrity strategy, which resulted in the international certification of the University of Montenegro. Based on the literature review on academic integrity and using the case analysis method, we highlight the steps in the certification process. We will show how the holistic approach that has been adopted strengthens the culture of academic integrity.
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Using plagiarism detection software : the other side of the coinThe conclusions of this article are the result of a study conducted over three years, based on the expertise files that the author established as a scientific collaborator of the current IRAFPA. The use of similarity detection software was systematic for each case. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the absurdity of a persistent belief in universities: that it would be sufficient to call on the services of a computer services company specialising in so-called "anti-plagiarism" software to curb such cases. We will show, by example, what can and cannot be expected of them, and then we will compare the two most widespread in France, Urkund and Compilatio.
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Knowledge delinquents and sex offenders : same difference?The article proposed by André Ciavaldini takes us to the shores of an often little known world, that of psychoanalysis. At the end of a very detailed analysis of the psyche of the sexual pervert and the 'manipulative' plagiarist identified by Michelle Bergadaà in her research, showing the analogy of behaviours (and their sources), he reveals that academic institutions are not equipped to spot and treat these manipulators. The author tells us that "plagiarism seems to be built on this conjunction: lack of self-esteem and the impossibility of accepting the reality of it, because it is too hurtful". There is therefore no reason why our institutions of higher education should not be less trapped in these perverse games than health care or religious institutions are by paedophiles.
