About academic ethics
ISM University of Management and Economics takes academic ethics very seriously and is dedicated to educating the ISM community (students and employees of the university) and maintaining high ethical standards and integrity within the community. In order to fulfil these purposes, there are two committees at ISM University that oversee different aspects of academic ethics: The Committee on EthicsThe Committee on Ethics, which oversees general and academic ethics; and The Institutional Review Board, which oversees research ethics.
In case you encounter a potential ethical violation, please report it using the following forms:
Relevant documents
Ethics provisions and requirements
Members of the ISM Community commit themselves to:
- Follow the ISM Code of Ethics
- Respect other members of the ISM Community
- Support standards of academic integrity
- Ensure the safety of confidential information of ISM University and its stakeholders
- Not to use University affiliation in a way that may damage the reputation of the University
- Avoid conflicts between private and University interests
- Not tolerate cheating, corruption, breaches of ISM intellectual property and other ethical misconduct
- Contribute to continuous improvement through constructive criticism and engagement
The Committee on Ethics oversees academic integrity and adherence to ethical norms by the members of the ISM Community.
Operational Regulations define the functions, operating principles, and procedures of the Committee on Ethics.
The Code of Ethics defines the ethical norms, principles, and ethical conduct expected of members of the ISM Community and that it is mandated to be known and adhered to. The norms and principles apply to situations that occur on campus and in situations where individuals explicitly act as representatives of the ISM Community.
Ethical requirements for students
ISM University of Management and Economics uses Academic Good Practice – A Practical Guide by the University of Oxford to define plagiarism:
‘Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional’
Definition of Plagiarism
ISM University of Management and Economics uses Academic Good Practice – A Practical Guide by the University of Oxford to define plagiarism:
‘Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional’
Types of plagiarism
There are multiple types of plagiarism, for example:
- when using verbatim (word-for-word) quotation or paraphrased ideas of other authors, students do not clearly acknowledge the original source and author;
- when students do not use the appropriate format to accurately cite and reference sources
- when students fail to attribute received assistance from fellow students or other people or use materials written by professional agencies or other persons
- when the same (full or partial) work is submitted for assessment several times for the same or different courses
How to avoid plagiarism?
ISM University of Management and Economics requires students to follow APA Style. For more information, go to Academic writing – APA Style page.
Turnitin
Turnitin is an internet-based ‘plagiarism detection’ service, which ISM University uses to confirm that students’ submitted coursework is free of plagiarism. Many of your written assignments will be submitted to Turnitin, which produces a report – called a ‘similarity report’, that allows your teacher to discover how ‘similar’ your work to other authors’ work: the content within a database of other students’ coursework, copyrighted pages from books, newspapers, and journals, and with the publicly accessible Internet.
To learn more, consult the Turnitin website, particularly its description of ‘similarity reports’.
Self-assessment test
You may self-assess your understanding of plagiarism by using an online test by Turnitin: Turnitin Plagiarism Quiz
Alternatively, use the APA Style Knowledge Quiz: APA Style; 7th Edition, Test Your APA Style Knowledge Quiz
Cheating
According to ‘The Complete University Guide‘, cheating is a deliberate and dishonest act in relation to submitting academic work.
Cheating can include, but is not limited to:
- copying from another student’s test or exam;
- communicating to other students during an exam;
- taking or receiving copies of an assignment without the permission of the lecturer;
- using notes, ‘cheat sheets’, or any other information devices inappropriate to the prescribed test or exam conditions;
- allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent same.
Disciplinary actions
If a student is reported as having potentially committed an ethical violation, the case will be considered by the Committee on Ethics. If a violation is established, the Committee may issue a warning, a penalty, or recommend expelling the student from the University.
Examples of disciplinary penalties:
- The required completion of an academic integrity assignment(s) or course(s);
- The required completion of a make-up assignment or rewriting of an assignment or examination;
- The awarding of a lower grade for an assignment, examination or other piece of work;
- The awarding of a lower grade for the course;
- The awarding of a fail for the course;
- The denial of Erasmus+ opportunities for one or more semesters;
- The denial or revocation of an ISM-awarded scholarship;
- The delay or denial of a BA, MA or PhD thesis submission and/or defence for one or more semesters.
If an exchange student commits a violation, notification is also sent to their home university.
Ethical requirements for lecturers
Information about the ethical requirements for lecturers
Information about the ethical requirements for lecturers
Teaching and learning are the core activities of ISM University and its academic community.
Lecturers at the University are employees or contractors of the ISM University of Management and Economics that are engaged in teaching or evaluating the University’s students. All are responsible for acting ethically and with integrity.
The ethical responsibilities of lecturers:
- Encourage the free exchange of ideas between lecturers and students
- Fair and transparent assessment of students’ knowledge and skills
- Not to exploit students for their private advantage and not to use students work without appropriate attribution
- Not to engage in bullying behaviour
- Strive to be impartial and non-discriminatory
- Protect students’ personal and confidential data
Lecturers are responsible for reporting instances of plagiarism, cheating, or other ethical violations on their taught courses. However, lecturers are not held accountable for the academic misconduct of their students.
Ethical violations are considered by the Committee on Ethics, which establishes whether a member of staff has committed an ethical violation, and if a warning and/or reprimand should be issued.
To access the full guidelines concerning ethical decisions in the conduct of teaching activities, go to the following document: Appendix II. Academic Ethics Requirements for Lecturers
The Committee of Ethics structure and contacts
Members of the ISM Community are required to inform the Committee on Ethics about any violations of the Code of Ethics. Any notifications are considered as confidential information. Those who report such violations also have the right to remain anonymous (i.e., ask for whistle-blower protection status). The Committee is also happy to discuss any queries or answer any questions related to ethical matters.
Contact us by email etika@ism.lt or use the online reporting form.
If you want to file an appeal, please start with familiarising yourself with the process of the appeal: for students (see Section III) and for lecturers (see Section III).
Members of the Committee on Ethics are unpaid volunteers and elected by ISM Community. Current members of the Committee are:
- Laurynas Puidokas (Chairperson, administration representative)
- Prof. dr. Virginija Poškutė (faculty representative)
- Jolita Butkienė (faculty representative)
- Lilija Vilkancienė (faculty representative)
- Kira Yugova (student representative)
- Jarl Aleksandr Branting (student representative)
- Lina Česonytė (administration representative)
The Institutional Review Board
The purpose of the Institutional Review Board (hereinafter the IRB) is to evaluate the compliance of research to be conducted by members of ISM University community to the general principles of research ethics and integrity and grant an ethical approval of it.
IRB evaluates research involving human subjects, personal data, and/or environmental concerns.
IRB research evaluation is aimed at assuring:
- respect for research participant dignity, welfare and rights and to mitigate the risks of causing any damage to research participants;
- adherence to open science practices where possible and the requirements of (personal) data management regulations;
- compliance with the values and principles of the research ethics.
For more information, please see IRB regulations.
The application to be submitted for an ethical approval of research and information on its preparation and submission is available on the E-Learning platform.
Current members of the Committee:
- Dr. Pijus Krūminas (Chairperson)
- Dr. Rūta Kazlauskaitė
- Dr. Irina Liubertė
- Dr. Aras Žirgulis
- Dr. Valdonė Darškuvienė
- Lina Česonytė