Ethics are an important aspect of being a professional and it is expected that participants who undertake study at this level be aware of the requirements for academic ethics and to refrain from cheating or plagiarism.
Plagiarism is the presentation of ideas or the expression of ideas originated by another as the participant's own. Plagiarism involves a failure to indicate the source of original ideas. Plagiarism also includes presenting sections of text (or other media) from an article, book, or other source (including assignments previously completed by other participants) as the individual's own work.
While it is acceptable to quote from an original source, such quotes should be visually obvious (with italics or inset paragraphs) and referenced. Quotes should generally be limited to a few paragraphs. Participants who have concerns about how or how much source material should be quoted should contact their instructor.
When plagiarism involves the presentation of original ideas and research without identifying the source, instructors may lower the mark of a participant who does not reference the source of information and ideas or they may ask the participant to resubmit their assignment with the references added.
If significant portions of another individual's work are submitted and presented as the participant's own work, the instructor need not attempt to determine whether it was inadvertent or intentional. The assignment will receive a mark of zero. If such plagiarism is identified more than once, the individual may be asked to withdraw from further online study.
Instructors and participants are expected to contribute to an environment in which personal and intellectual development is supported and other members of the online learning community are treated without discrimination, harassment, intimidation, physical or psychological abuse.
Any participant who makes abusive, discriminatory, profane or obscene comments or who threatens the safety of a participant, instructor or supporting staff may be suspended from further study whether such communication occurs as part of course activity or outside of learning activities.
Any participant who is found to have sexually harassed another may be suspended from further study whether such communication occurs as part of course activity or outside of learning activities. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate sexual solicitation and unwelcome remarks, jokes, innuendoes or taunting about a person's body, attire, physical characteristics, gender or sexual orientation and inappropriate sexual solicitation.
Any participant who is the recipient of such comments from another participant or from an instructor should contact NIDMAR and if their communication about the harassment is verbal, it should be followed up with an email outlining the problem. Depending on the severity of the complaint, the individual who has committed the offence will be contacted with a view to educating them and ensuring the behaviour does not reoccur; that individual may be suspended from further study without an opportunity to complete the module they are currently enrolled in and without remuneration; or other appropriate action may be carried out including communication with relevant authorities.
