-
Essay / The Importance of Ethics and Integrity in Academic Work
Table of ContentsIntroductionDefinition of TermsEthics and Integrity in AcademicsConclusionIntroductionThis essay will aim to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ethics and integrity in academic work. It will first propose to define, in its simplest form, ethics, integrity and fundamental morality, supported by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code (NMC, 2018), further developing the way of which these can be applied to academic work. The author will then highlight common behaviors within academia, such as the use of mobile devices, online etiquette, plagiarism and general misconduct, and how these fail to be diversified on an ethical and moral level; without introducing integrity, honesty, accountability or professionalism. Finally, we explain the importance of ethics and integrity in academic work and how they relate to personal morals and behavioral standards. Furthermore, summarizing the ethics and integrity in academia introduced in this essay while highlighting the skills that must be demonstrated throughout the course. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Definition of Terms Ethical can be defined as being responsible, honorable, and modest, while striving for academic excellence. Integrity can also be defined as “the strict adherence to a moral code, which is reflected in transparent, honest and complete harmony in what one thinks, says and does”. Ethics and integrity go hand in hand in healthcare as well as academia. Basic moral principles, such as honesty, trustworthiness, respect, and professionalism, also correlate with behaviors within academia, reflecting personal character. In addition to this, the NMC Code (2018): a basic behavioral code or standard that nurses must follow to provide the best person and family-centered care, outlines skills that correlate with ethics and integrity in academic work. It is about practicing effectively and promoting professionalism and confidence. While practicing effectively, with the best available evidence; in academia this would be linked to Harvard referencing and not representing other people's work as one's own. Additionally, the NMC states to “promote professionalism and confidence, that is, maintaining your professionalism at all times and maintaining your position as a registered nurse, midwife or nursing associate.” While in academia this may be linked to personal morals and behavioral standards, meaning that all students must adhere to the behavioral contract established by the university, "serious issues that are not tolerated are the plagiarism, cheating and any form of dishonesty; refusal to accept and follow academic guidelines" and respect their own professionalism, remaining professional and strictly adhering to a moral code. Ethics and Integrity in Academic SettingsAcademic misconduct is a typical example of lack of ethics and Integrity in an academic setting is plagiarism, using cell phones in class, whether it's texting, not having your phone on silent or using. generally inappropriate use of a mobile device during a class Unmuting a Zoom conference when it is not appropriate, shouting over the professor, all speaking at once.time, are all examples of poor online etiquette. Misbehavior generally includes being inappropriate in and out of class, failing to attend all classes or being late, cheating on exams, copying lectures, having an unacceptable approach to your own learning and your peers. Unacceptable approaches are lack of communication, appearing indifferent or distracted, minimal effort demonstrated in lessons. Besides in lecture halls, mistakes can also concern the community at large, such as internships in hospitals. MW Bultas.et al (2018) states that “when college administrators and nursing faculty value, support, and build a culture of honesty and respect, student integrity should be evident in the classroom and in practice clinical". With ethics, which makes an individual honest and honorable. The above examples fail to be ethically and morally diverse, as they do not show pure and honest character. Bad behavior in classes online exhibits poor communication skills, work plagiarism shows irresponsibility and unreliability Misconduct during clinical placement breaks the “culture of honesty and respect” built by the university, the. hospital and the NMC Nursing Ethics (2019) conducted a survey on academic ethical awareness among undergraduate nursing students, with 581 participants among the data, it was found that the majority of first-year students. , or 23.2% of the study, had higher academic awareness than the remaining 76.8%. This means that these students had a better understanding of academic misconduct; more aware of what not to do. These behaviors are: “cheating on exams, violation of patient confidentiality or respect during placement, unfaithful behavior in clinical practice, plagiarism and irresponsible behavior in the classroom.” It was found in similar studies that university students' ethics and integrity were "associated with maintaining moral ethics by not compromising their conscience, not succumbing to peer pressure in circumstances where l "Honesty is easily compromised." work to gain a basic understanding of what is not accepted in terms of behavior. It is also important to have ethics and integrity, as well as academically, to "make better decisions, with ethics being a basic moral guide, boosting productivity and personal morale in general ". Students will have a guide to what their character should be, while bringing their own morals and core principles. However, nursing students must understand the meaning of integrity as it relates to their role as nursing students and as future professional nurses. Jean Gabriel Guerrero-Dib et.al (2020), emphasizes that the importance of integrity and ethics in academia is to achieve two main things: “acquire the learning and skills necessary to exercise appropriately a specific profession and develop an ethical perspective that leads to correct decision-making. An individual's personal morality and behavioral standards must be consistent with the University's Behavioral Contract and reflect their own basic understanding of ethics and integrity. Being ethically and morally diverse while instilling integrity in good behaviors looks like: arriving to classes on time and having effective time management, attending exams without cheating, turning off cell phones,..