Cheating

What is cheating?

Cheating is a breach of academic integrity. It is never acceptable to present text that you did not compose as your own original work. This applies whether the answer has been generated by a chatbot, someone else, or a source you cite without referring to who wrote it. Peer-reviewed sources are the only reputable sources of information. Academic integrity entails distinguishing between your own thoughts and ideas, and those acquired from others.

You might get accused of cheating if you:

• do not include sufficient information about sources, including your own previous work
• provide the impression that the examination answer paper is more independent than what it is
• utilize unauthorised aids or assistance

Additional information can be obtained in the regulations on studies an examinations at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University.

The requirements of the legislation also apply to those who participate in, and aid others in cheating, even if they do not benefit from the act of cheating themselves. When lending your previous work or papers to other students, you should use caution.

The regulations relating to cheating apply to both mandatory work an course requirements, as well as supervised and unsupervised examinations (submissions, home exams, and so one). All students, including external candidates are subject to the rules.

What are the consequences?

Consequences of cheating are stipulated in the Norwegian Act relating to Universities and University Colleges § 12-4.

What is considered cheating during written examinations with invigilation?

Using examination support materials during school exams is considered cheating, unless the exam paper explicitly states that this is allowed. Having aids available, whether or not they are being used, can also be considered cheating.

During the exam, the exam invigilators and the exam office monitor the session in the digital exam solution (Inspera). Candidates should notify the exam invigilators immediately, should they encounter error warnings in the exam question papers or if something unusual occurs with the PC.

What is considered cheating when submitting a paper/thesis (home exam, etc.)?

You may be suspected of cheating also when you are working on an home exam, portfolios, coursework or study requirements, reports and examination answer papers in all courses/subjects and at all levels of study throughout your education. Examples of cheating in relation to a home examination may include:

• Not stating your sources or marking quotes correctly
• Submitting an answer paper that you or others have previously submitted as part of a prior assignment.
• Having someone else write the examination answer paper for you on your behalf
• Collaboration with other students, unless it is required as part of a group exam

Cooperation with fellow students that results in highly similar or substantially identical assignments may be deemed as cheating when submitting individual papers. This applies even if all aids are permitted as part of the exam. If two ore more examination answer papers appear very similar/identical in terms of content and structure, language, professional viewpoints, misunderstandings and mistakes, references to sources, etc., this could be an indication of a prohibited collaboration that could be considered cheating/attempted cheating.

OsloMet examines all submissions, bachelor's theses, and master's theses for plagiarism using Ouriginal. Ouriginal perform checks against the open access internet, but also a variety of text databases, and previous exams and assignments. Ouriginal is exclusively available to educational institutions and examiners.

What happens if I am suspected of cheating?

OsloMet has established regulations for dealing with cheating/attempted cheating for exams at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University. These include rights for students who are currently under investigation.

Cases related to cheating or attempt at cheating are decided by the Appeal's Committee at OsloMet (Norwegian only). The Appeal's Committee's decision may be appealed to the National Appeals Committee.