Updating the Aalto guidelines on academic integrity was necessary, because they were based on the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity’s guideline, which was updated in 2023 and is now titled the Finnish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and Procedures for Handling Alleged Violations of Research Integrity in Finland (‘RI guidelines’). An update was also needed in order to reflect the changes that the university teaching and learning environments have undergone since the last guideline was published.

The new Code of Academic Integrity in Studies of Aalto University defines academic integrity, provides examples of its violations, while also describing the process for handling alleged violations and their consequences. A new element in the code is the process for handling suspected misconduct in student admissions.

Learners, forms of misconduct in studying and misconduct through abetting others

While the process for handling suspected violations and the consequences of violations still mainly concerns degree students, the new code applies to all Aalto University learners. The code includes a more detailed list of the forms of misconduct in studies and specifies three concepts related to violations of academic integrity – plagiarism, fabrication and falsification – to bring them into line with the 2023 RI guidelines. Furthermore, a new concept, unethical dissemination of teaching materials or study attainments is introduced. The code also explicates that student who abets another student in obtaining an unfair advantage in studies is considered guilty of misconduct.

Educational units, investigators and the thesis investigation group

The new code specifies the responsibilities for investigating violations that have taken place in educational units outside Aalto schools (such as the Language Centre and the Open University). As before, suspected violations of academic integrity are still primarily investigated at the schools under the leadership of the dean. Conducting the investigations and providing advice on the investigation process to both teachers and learners is the responsibility of the school manager of academic affairs and other designated members of staff. As the 2023 version of the national RI guidelines no longer covers the processing of suspected violations of academic integrity related to master’s theses, the new Aalto University code allows the dean to set up a thesis investigation group for investigating such cases.

Failing a study attainment, verbal admonition, written caution and dismissal 

Violating the code of academic integrity in study attainments, such as exams or coursework, may lead to the student failing the study attainment or being verbally admonished by the dean. According

to the new policy, severe violations of academic integrity may lead to the student failing the course in which the violation was committed. In addition, if a learner has been found guilty of a violation in courses offered by some other educational unit than the student's Aalto school or educational unit, such as the Open University, the violation will be communicated to the student’s school or unit, which is to take measures in cases of severe or recurring misconduct. As before, degree students found guilty of serious or recurring misconduct may be issued a written caution or suspended for a fixed term in accordance with the Universities Act.

Monitoring, instructions and communication

The new Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity in Studies sets forth new responsibilities to record and report the number of suspected violations of academic integrity, the related investigations as well as the consequences imposed.

The code no longer provides detailed instructions on the conditions for using tools (such as Turnitin) for example in preventing misconduct or investigating it. Instead, instructing on the responsible use of Aalto University tools is the responsibility of the relevant Aalto services. To make sure that all Aalto learners are aware of the code of academic integrity, every learner is required to complete a training module covering good research and artistic practices.

Resources and training on academic integrity must be readily available to everyone at Aalto University. To that end, information and self-study materials for students and teachers are being prepared and should be ready for publication in early 2025.

Information on the new policies introduced in the code will be disseminated to teachers by the managers of academic affairs at schools and by relevant persons in charge at educational units outside the schools.

Further information: Anna Johansson, Matti Raatikainen

Links: 

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity in Studies (in force from 1 January 2025) (aalto.fi)

Guidance for the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning at Aalto University (aalto.fi)

Turnitin: an originality checking and feedback software (aalto.fi)

Research integrity (aalto.fi)

The Finnish Code of Conduct  for Research Integrity and  Procedures for Handling  Alleged Violations of  Research Integrity in Finland. Guideline of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK 2023 (PDF)