Academic Misconduct

The fairness of the assessment process relies heavily on the proper conduct of the learner.

It is the responsibility of the Learner to complete assessments according to the instructions given by the trainer. On many of our certified programmes the full assessment will be completed during the programme, usually involving a skills demonstration and a written exam. On other programmes there will be a written exam plus an assignment (which must be completed in the learner’s own time, after the programme has finished). Further guidance will be given by the trainer as required. The learner must confirm that the assessment presented is their own work.

The trainer will advise when the learner needs to submit their assignment/portfolio of work, so that it can be submitted to QQI at the next certification intake date. If a learner does not submit the required work on time, then it cannot be submitted to QQI.

Please let the trainer or FPTS staff know if assignments cannot be submitted on time. Arrangements can then be made to submit this work on a subsequent QQI submission date, if necessary.

Academic Misconduct (including plagiarism)

The protection of the integrity of assessment is essential to good training quality assurance. Academic misconduct may include plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, or any other form of academic cheating (e.g., impersonation, collusion, illicit use of third-party services inter alia.)

FPTS management, tutors and learners all have a role to play in ensuring that assessment is fair and consistent.

The following definition of plagiarism will clarify what FPTS considers plagiarism to mean.

“Plagiarism occurs when someone

  1. Uses words, ideas, or work products

  2. Attributable to another identifiable person or source

  3. Without attributing the work to the source from which it was obtained

  4. In a situation in which there is a legitimate expectation of original authorship

  5. In order to obtain some benefit, credit, or gain which need not be monetary”

(sic. QQI Guidelines)

To mitigate the risk of any form of academic conduct FPTS ensures that:

  • Candidates are aware of what constitutes academic misconduct

  • Robust invigilation procedures are in place

  • Tutors exercise good judgement, and

  • Technological aids are used where appropriate (e.g., anti-plagiarism checks)

Where academic misconduct by a candidate is suspected, the following applies:

  • The candidate may be required to participate in an oral (viva voce) defence of their assessment

  • The Assessor/Tutor will decide whether an infringement has been detected and the level (i.e. minor or material). For minor infringements, the Assessor/Tutor may caution the candidate or require them to resubmit a complete or partial assessment, alternatively, they may apply a penalty mark appropriate to the perceived level of infringement. In the case of material infringement, they will refer the matter to the Centre Manager for judgement. The Centre Manager may decide to allow a reassessment, endorse the proposed penalty mark, or remove the learner from the programme without recourse, and without certification for the programme

  • The Assessor/Tutor (or Centre Manager) will provide the candidate with a written description of the infringement detected and the censure to be applied

  • If the candidate wishes to appeal the decision of the Centre Manager, the Academic Council will hear the appeal and make a judgement. The decision of the Academic Council is final.