University of North Carolina School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology

EPID600, Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health

Rules for collaborating (Classroom edition, Fall 2011)

Why does EPID600 devote so much attention to the Honor Code and rules for collaborating on course work?

The vast majority of students taking EPID600 believe in the Honor Code and conscientiously follow its dictates. Among the thousands of students who have taken EPID600, only about two dozen have been reported for Honor Code violations - either collaborating on examinations or using instructor answers on case studies. But when violations occur, they take signficant instructor time away from the class and damage violators' careers, their finances (if they have financial aid), and their family relationships. EPID600 students who have been caught collaborating on examinations have given various reasons, which almost always reflect some of the following (1) Exaggerated fear of failing the course if they do not obtain help, (2) Failure to give serious consideration to the consequences of being caught; (3) Self-deception (e.g., assisting my friend is not cheating since I have already answered the questions); (4) Irrational avoidance of giving up a few points to "purchase" assistance from a TA.

EPID600 believes in the value of collaboration and encourages collaboration and group work on the case studies. The only requirements for the case studies are that (1)nbsp;you do not have/use/see the instructor answers (e.g., from a previous semester) and (2) you write up your own answers, not just copy them from someone else. The only requirement for the examinations is that you do not communicate about the exam or the exam article with anyone other than an instructor.

When anyone breaks these rules, the entire class suffers. Also, the belief that others are not obeying the rules erodes confidence in the ability to trust and can make those who follow the rules anxious about being disadvantaged. Faculty are required to report suspected violations of the Honor Code. If a friend asks you for help, help them by telling them to purchase a hint from their TA.

What is allowed, and what is not allowed?

There are two basic rules for collaborating in EPID600:

1. Examinations: You may not communicate about Exam 1, Exam 2, or Exam 3 (the "final paper") or the articles on which they are based, even indirectly, with anyone other than an instructor
2. Case studies: If you choose to submit your case study answers for credit, you must write up your own answers and not have had direct access to the instructor answers. (You can work with and receive assistance from other people, even former students who have the instructor answers, as long as you write up the answers you submit and you do not see the instructor answers before you submit yours.)

EPID600 case studies and examinations are "open-book", so you may use published (print or web) materials when working on case studies and examinations.

What about . . . ?

Here are some examples of behaviors that have occurred in relation to case studies and examinations, presented in question-and-answer format.

• Question: Do I need to cite material that I use from the lecture slides, textbook, or the Evolving Text? I sincerely hope I did not cause any honor code violations. Please kindly let me know if there was a problem with my exam in terms of references. Answer: Direct quotes should be cited. “General knowledge” in the lectures or texts does not need to be cited, but if you are referring to something that is not likely to be in many sources, then citing is desirable.
• Question: Can I look up and use information on the web in order to answer examination questions? Answer: Yes.
• Question: Can I share a copy of the article on which the exam is based with my roommate, in order to save paper? Answer: That is not recommended, and if there are notes, highlighting, or other markings on the article it could (and has) amount to communication.
• Question: Can I show my outline for my final paper to another EPID600 student - or to a friend - just to make sure that I am on the right track. Answer: No - the instructions say that you may not communicate with anyone about the final paper article or your paper.
• Question: I do all of the case studies with my friend and study together. I answered all of the examination questions by myself, but I did call her to ask about a few of the answers, because I didn’t want to pay for a hint. Does that violate the Honor Code? Answer: Yes. You may not communicate with anyone other than an instructor about the examinations.
• Question: A classmate and I got help with the case study from a friend who took the course last year. We ran out of time, so to help us finish the case study he gave us the instructor answers that he received when he took the course. Was that all right? Answer: No. It was fine to obtain help from your friend, but you may not have access to the instructor answers before you submit yours.

Do you have a question? Please ask Vic.

More information about this semester’s course

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8/17/2011 by Vic