Artificial Intelligence

What happens if you're accused of using Artificial Intelligence tools

 

It is an academic misconduct offence to submit an assessment containing any words generated by a software tool, such as ChatGPT or translation software, unless your assessment instructions tell you it can be used.

This is because content produced by these platforms does not represent your own original work and you should not be using them to generate content to pass off as your own.

 

Why Have I Been Accused Of Using Artificial Intelligence? //

 

What is an AI academic misconduct offence?

These are some examples of academic misconduct (unless your tutor has expressly allowed it):

 

  • Using AI to write all or part of an assignment.
  • Using AI to improve your writing, for example by asking AI to rewrite your work or accepting suggested rewrites.
  • Using AI for research and then not following this up with your own research.
  • Getting your work translated into English.

Why does the marker think I used artificial intelligence?

There are a number of reasons why a marker could become suspicious about a student's work. Some of the most common reasons may be:

 

  • The assignment is vague, lacks depth, or goes off-topic. 
  • You've included information that wasn't covered in classes or available in the main sources. 
  • You've referenced sources that either don't exist or they don't include the information you claim - AI is known for making up references or choosing the wrong ones.
  • You've used unusual sources that weren't recommended or covered in class. 
  • The language is unusual for student writing. AI can generate elaborate, flowery sentences and may use inappropriate words and strange metaphors. Below is an example of an essay introduction that was written by AI - it looks impressive, but is it really what you would expect a student to write?

'In an era marred by the spectre of environmental degradation, a beacon of hope emerges from the crucible of human ingenuity: the fusion of cutting-edge technology with unwavering environmental stewardship. This symbiosis, heralding an epoch of innovation-driven sustainability, promises to redefine our relationship with the planet. This essay embarks on a journey through the labyrinth of technological marvels, exploring their profound impact on environmental conservation and the dawn of a greener tomorrow.'

 

Academic Misconduct Meetings //

 

How can I prepare for the meeting?

Your invitation letter or your feedback may include reasons for asking you to a meeting, for example the marker may comment on incorrect sources or the writing style. If you do have some information about the marker's concerns, you can focus on those areas.

 

Gather any notes and drafts you can find, to show you worked on the assignment. You can send them to the Academic Conduct Officer (ACO) before the meeting or bring it with you if you're meeting in person. You may also still have the websites you visited in your browser history, which could show your research at the time of the assessment.

 

Go through your essay and remind yourself of the topic. Be prepared to answer specific questions about what you wrote - think of it as an oral exam where you explain your work. Think about the sources you used, how you found them, and why you decided to use them. Check for any incorrect references, and find the correct ones if there were any mistakes. 

 

If your work is very different than your other assessments, did you approach it differently this time? Did you understand this topic more, put more effort into it, or have you worked hard to improve your skills?

 

If you did use AI to help you with your work, submit a statement to explain what happened. If there was anything happening in your personal life that was affecting your ability to study, make this clear in your statement and send evidence of those circumstances. Exceptional circumstances can change the penalty, so it's important the Academic Conduct Officer is aware of what happened.

What will happen in the meeting?

The meeting will usually be with the Academic Conduct Officer (ACO) and the marker, and a note taker may be present. The ACO and marker will tell you what their concerns are and will ask you questions to determine your knowledge.

 

You will have the opportunity to explain how you worked on the essay and how you think any irregularities might have occurred.

 

If you did use any artificial intelligence to write, research, or proofread your work, explain what happened. If you have exceptional circumstances, it's important you send evidence before the meeting and explain how you were affected.

What are the potential outcomes?

If the ACO believes the work is your own, the case will go no further and there will be no offence. For very small usage of AI, you may be given a warning without an offence.

 

If you are found to have committed an AI offence, they will decide whether it is a minor or major offence and the penalty will depend on whether you have a previous offence. 

 

First offence (not including research degree thesis or published work):

  • Minor offence: You will need to submit an acceptable version. The final mark will be capped at the pass mark and cannot exceed the original mark, if given before the investigation.
  • Major offence: a zero for this attempt, with normal reassessment consequences i.e. if you have an attempt remaining, you can take the reassessment for a capped mark. Please note that if you have no attempt remaining and this penalty would lead to you failing your degree, the ACO could exceptionally allow a further reassessment opportunity..

Second offence (not including research degree thesis or published work):

  • Minor offence: this has the same penalty as a major first offence.
  • Major offence:  a zero for the module. This means that all the assessments for the module will be set to zero and, if reassessment is allowed, you will have to take all the assessments again for a capped mark. For modules of 30 credits or more, where this would be disproportionate or it is not feasible to redo some of the assessment components (e.g. lab work), an appropriate alternative penalty will be given.

Third offence, or if AI is suspected in your research degree thesis or published work:

You will be referred to the Academic Misconduct Committee. If the committee found you had used AI, the standard penalty is termination of studies with a bar on any future enrolment with the University, unless you have very strong Exceptional Circumstances.

 

 

Open book assessment, class test or flexible class test

These types of assessments are handled a bit differently. The penalty for a first offence is a zero for this attempt, with normal reassessment consequences i.e. if you have an attempt remaining, you can take the reassessment and it will be capped at the pass mark.

 

Subsequent offences are referred to committee, and the standard penalties are:

 

Second offence: a mark of zero for the entire module. If you have a reassessment attempt remaining, you are permitted to take it but you can only get the credits; your mark will stay at 0. This means you could still have the credits to graduate but your transcript and your degree classification calculation would include the 0 from that module.

 

Third offence: termination of studies.

 

 

Contract cheating

If the ACO believes that instead of using AI you may have committed the offence of contract cheating, where you got another person to write your work for you, you will be referred to the Academic Misconduct Committee. The standard penalty for contract cheating is withdrawal, unless you have very strong Exceptional Circumstances.

I am unhappy with the outcome of my case, what can I do?

In some circumstances, you may be able to appeal the decision. You will only be able to do this if you can satisfy one, or both, of the following grounds:

 

  • procedural irregularity in the conduct of the original investigations of the Academic Conduct Officer or Academic Misconduct Committee;
  • exceptional circumstances, providing that these circumstances can be substantiated.

 

More information on appealing can be found on the University website. Remember that there is a deadline of 10 days to appeal.

 

If you would like to appeal or need some more information contact us at ASK and we will guide you through the process.

I am on a professional course, what impact will this have on me?

If you are studying a professional course, a record of academic misconduct may have further implications. You should check your School handbook for further details if this applies to you.

 

Support //

 

How can ASK help?

ASK can help you to prepare your case and attend the meeting with you, if necessary. If there have been reasons why you have committed misconduct, we can explore these and help you to put your case forward to your school Academic Conduct Officer or an Academic Misconduct Committee.

Is there any guidance from the university about AI use?

The University has produced guidance on using AI tools effectively and appropriately when studying.

 

AI tools are normally not allowed for assessments, but on occasions when they are allowed, you must cite the AI tool in the same way you would cite other sources. You can find AI referencing guidance on Cite Them Right.

What issues can AI cause?

In addition to the consequences of being caught, there are significant drawbacks to relying on these tools:

 

They undermine the learning process

You won't have the chance to understand the material or develop your skills if you rely on a computer to produce work for you. Even if you're not caught, it would lead to you progressing on your course without the knowledge and skills you need to pass your future, higher-level modules. You may even graduate without the skills you need for the workplace.

 

Errors

AI tools can make mistakes (there have been instances of an AI claiming 1+1 does not equal 2!), use misinformation, or provide biased information as you don't know the sources they are using. They also often lack the depth needed for a good essay.  

 

Referencing issues

Artificial intelligence is proving to be poor at referencing - it can fail to provide any at all or, if pushed, may direct you to generic websites and even make up references!

 

Bad translations

Translation software can provide inaccurate translations so your work may not be understood and it can produce unnatural sentences, as English may not follow the same structure as the language you have written in. Relying on a programme to translate for you will also stop you from developing your English skills, which you will need in other areas of the course and in your daily life.

What support is available to help me improve my study skills?

There are lots of places you can go to improve your study skills at Keele, including:

 

Academic Skills - this free university service offers one-to-one advice, workshops on and online resources.

 

English Language Unit (International Students) - The English Language Unit offers free 1:1 tutorials all year-round for international students on how to avoid plagiarism.

 

Interactive Study Write - The StudyWrite Plagiarism module explains the concept of plagiarism, why it is important and how it can be avoided.  It also provides a series of activities to check your understanding as the module progresses

 

Learning about Turnitin - Turnitin is a text matching system that the University uses to identify text within submitted assignments to other sources; this can highlight work which is not properly referenced and non-original content in the work submitted by students.  

 

Proofreading Guide - The proofreading guide is useful for students to better understand what is acceptable as proofreading and what may become academic misconduct.

 

Academic Mentors and Module Leaders - Email your school if you are unsure who this is to make an appointment.