ASM Plagiarism Malpractice Policy

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline:

• To identify and minimise the risk of malpractice by staff or learners.
• To respond to any incident of alleged malpractice promptly and objectively.
• To standardise and record any investigation of malpractice to ensure openness and fairness.
• To impose appropriate penalties and/or sanctions on learners or staff where incidents (or attempted incidents) of malpractice are proven.
• To protect the integrity of the ASM Group and all relevant qualifications.

2.0 Context

The overall context for the development of this policy is to define the circumstances where malpractice or plagiarism can arise in the provision of the ASM Group’s training services.

Malpractice can be defined as any action by the learner, staff member, tutor or independent which has the potential to undermine the integrity and validity of the assessment of the learner’s work. For example, plagiarism, collusion, cheating, etc.

Plagiarism can be defined as taking and using another’s thoughts, writings, inventions, etc. as one’s
own work.

3.0 Scope

This policy applies to all present staff (temporary and permanent), all independent contractors, tutors providing services and customers (individual learners and client companies).

4.0 Policy

ASM policy in relation to a potential or actual malpractice and plagiarism:

• Endeavour to avoid potential malpractice and plagiarism by informing learners, staff members, tutors or independent contractors of the ASM Policy on malpractice/plagiarism and the penalties for attempted and actual incidents of malpractice/plagiarism.
• Request learners to record cited texts and other materials or information sources used in assessments if applicable.
• Request learners to declare that their work is their own by assigning declaration with submitted work.
• The investigation will be conducted in a form commensurate with the nature of the malpractice/plagiarism allegation. Any such investigation will be supported by the Training Manager and all personnel linked to the allegation

It will proceed through the following stages:

• The individual will be made fully aware of the nature of the alleged malpractice/plagiarism and of the possible consequences should malpractice/plagiarism be proven.
• The individual will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations being made.
• The individual will be informed of the avenues for appealing against any judgment made.
• All stages of any investigation will be fully documented.
• Where malpractice is proven, ASM will invoke the following sanctions:
  For Learners
  • Removal from the programme
  • No certification will be provided
  • No reimbursement of fees
  For ASM staff
  • ASM Disciplinary procedure
  For Tutors and Independent Contractors
  • ASM will cease using the services of these individuals

5.0 RESPONSIBILITY

All employees, independent contractors, tutors and learners are responsible for maintaining and adhering to this policy.

6.0 REFERENCES

N/A

Approved By: Eamonn Horgan
Position: Training Manager
Date: 01/06/2022