For me, academic integrity is several things. To begin, it is a gut feeling that tells me if I
am not 100% sure what I am doing is okay, then I should not be doing it–plain and simple. I have
people I can reach out for guidance about it. People I am able to throw out ideas and thoughts to
in order to get their opinion. If it is a question about academic integrity or an ethical one, I know
they are going to give me a truthful answer and not one that will make me content. When you
look to scripture, "all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to
make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do
what is right" (2 Timothy 3:16,-New Living Translation). It may be cheesy to say, but if anyone
is wondering if what they are doing the right thing, they can ask “what would Jesus do
(WWJD).” As I said, it is a bit cheesy, but if we stand on our faith and what the Bible has taught,
we will be standing on firm ground.-
Those that attend this school chose to go to a faith-based school. Most people would
think that academic integrity is given, but that is not always true. Or, even if we look at the fact
we are going to school at the doctoral level, why would academic integrity be an issue. "Some
instructors presume that graduate students have prior knowledge of academic integrity, and
assume that they do not need additional teaching or training in this respect” (Yang et al., 2021, p.
2). Yes, it is different than being an undergrad. Often, people go to college because they feel like
it is the next step after high school, or their parents expect them to go. However, we are
choosing, as adults on our own to go, which may make one think or ask why we would
jeopardize that. In doctoral education, we have a lot of writing that can be complex and
challenging; many of us have not needed to write at this level in the past (Cutri et al., 2021). We
need to maintain academic integrity in this and understand the best way is the honest way,
especially when integrating other people's work into ours, however we also need to make sure
our work is our own thoughts, research, and studies.
As for my chosen vocation, it could look like many different things. If I am working with
youth, I will have mandate reporting to adhere to, and, in the past, I have had to fall back on that
and make reports to the state when I learned things about my students. There is a different set of
rules when working with teens. I need to build trust with them, but I also have to look out for
them. Sometimes understanding that can be challenging for them. If I am working with Deaf
people, I also have to build trust. However, I would not have the same rule that is automatic
when working with youth. Working with Deaf and building trust is a significant because of the
history of Deaf people and not having a say or control in their life because they cannot hear. I
have talked about what I need to do, like the failsafe I have for maintaining academic integrity,
such as the fact I can go to others for guidance on ethical things in my future career. I will
always seek out those who know more than me to keep me accountable.-
References
Cutri, J., Abraham, A., Karlina, Y., Patel, S. V., Moharami, M., Zeng, S., Manzari, E., &
Pretorius, L. (2021). Academic integrity at doctoral level: the influence of the-imposter
phenomenon and cultural differences on academic writing.-International Journal for
Educational Integrity,-17(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40979-021-00074-w-
Holy bible new living translation. (2021). DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure
Yang, T., Wang, Y., Deng, J., & Huang, C. (2021). Attitude, social norms, and perceived
behavioral control influence the academic integrity-related behavioral intentions of
graduate students.-Social Behavior and Personality: an International Journal,-49(4), 1–12.
https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.9996-
Response 1: Erik Chase
Having those core values of LDRSHIP is a great thing to fall back on. Having those things
instilled in you gives you a base to fall back on in your current and future endeavors. I know that
my family members who were in the military had that foundation and a solid faith and would
turn to them when things in life needed to be dealt with. When we do not have that integrity and
ethical behavior, things become organizational dysfunctional, and our professional ethics are
missing (Webster, 2016). It is a compelling thing to have a firm and strong foundation of
integrity and ethical behavior. As I was looking through the words that stood for each letter,
honor also stuck out to me as significant. It makes me think when we were little how scared we
were to disappoint our parents. It also brought the verse, "Each of you must show great respect
for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord
your God" (Leviticus 19:3, New Living Translation). When we look at that closer, that is not just
limited to us as children doing everything our parents tell us to do. We can expand that to any
adult in a position of trust and even further honoring our parents when we are adults as well
(Trimm, 2017). We want to be keeping honor in all aspects of our lives, both personal and
professional.
References
Aiello, H., & Clancy, A. L. (2021). Appreciative Coaching: Contributing to a Science of Positive
Human Change.-AI Practitioner,-23(2), 7–14. https://doi.org/10.12781/978-1-907549-47-2-2
Holy bible new living translation. (2021). DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure
Trimm, C. (2017). Honor Your Parents: A Command for Adults.-Journal of the Evangelical
Theological Society,-60(2), 247–263.
Webster, M. (2016). Challenging workplace bullying: the role of social work leadership
integrity.-Ethics & Social Welfare,-10(4), 316–332.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2016.1155633
Response 2: Davis Bascom
When I read your post, and you said integrity is basically doing the right thing, it made me
think of the quote you see around, be the person your dog thinks you are. I agree that when you
lose your integrity, it is a hard road to get it back. What are your thoughts about people that
maintain integrity in some things in their lives but not in others? In a study I read, they saw that
developed spiritual beliefs were integral to professional integrity along with their personal
beliefs. They could see how it affected how they did their job. It was a study in health care and
having personal and spiritual beliefs translated into how they cared for patients. (Jesmi et al.,
2020) I know that I want those in the medical field to have good personal and spiritual beliefs
that lead to good integrity.
When we lose that integrity, redemption can be a beautiful thing. "Now repent of your sins
and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:19, New Living Translation).
That can't happen without honesty with ourselves and with others. Some people may need to
reach out and have someone come alongside them to do so. Getting a mentor or personal coach
can lead to those changes (Aiello et al., 2021). We need to be completely and fully honest with
your mentor or coach or real, and sustainable changes will not last.
References
Holy bible new living translation. (2021). DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure
Jesmi, A. A., Yazdi, K., & Sabzi, Z. (2020). Maintaining professional integrity in Iranian
nurses.-Medicinski Glasnik,-17(2), 239–245. https://doi.org/10.17392/1077-20
Webster, M. (2016). Challenging workplace bullying: the role of social work leadership
integrity.-Ethics & Social Welfare,-10(4), 316–332.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2016.1155633
