Chemistry 484

Policy on Scientific Honesty &
Laboratory Reports

There have been problems in the past with students copying one another's lab reports rather than slogging through on their own. There is a distinct difference between working together, e.g., discussing with a classmate how to use an equation or what should be included in the report, and getting a copy of someone's lab report from a past or current semester and using it to write your own. Even in experiments which require a partner to perform the actual lab work, each person should write an independent report.

One of the major things you should take from this lab is the ability to determine what information is necessary and important in reporting scientific experiments. By using another's lab report, you are less likely to generate your own ideas. You also risk committing plagiarism, because once somebody else's words are in your head, it's far too easy to use them without realizing that you're doing it. The people who grade your lab reports also have copies of old reports, and will be watching for instances of copying data or words. If someone gave you copies of their old lab reports from a previous semester, resist the temptation to look at them until your report is completed. You may then look over them to see if you missed any major elements in your own report. If you have any doubts that we are serious about this matter, read the section excerpted from the Student Code of Conduct, and know that we expect all students to comply with it.

From the Student Code of Conduct:

4. Misconduct
4.2 Academic Dishonesty
a. The maintenance of academic honesty and integrity is a vital concern of the University community. Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty shall be subject to both academic and disciplinary sanctions. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

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2. Fabrication and Falsification. Falsifying or fabricating any information or citation in any academic exercise, work, speech, test or examination. Falsification is the alteration of information, while fabrication is the invention or counterfeiting of information.
3. Plagiarism. Presenting the work of another as one's own (i.e., without proper acknowledgement of the source) and submitting examinations, theses, reports, speeches, drawings, laboratory notes or other academic work in whole or in part as one's own when such work has been prepared by another person or copied from another person.
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