Doctoral Program Ethics and Academic Integrity

Doctoral students are expected to conduct original research and contribute new knowledge to their field. This requires them to be honest and transparent about their sources and to avoid plagiarism.

Self-plagiarism is the act of reusing one's own previously published work without proper citation. While it is not considered as serious as plagiarism, it is still a violation of academic integrity.

A doctoral dissertation is a major research project that demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, and draw conclusions. It also contributes new knowledge to the field of study and fulfills the requirements for the doctoral degree.

The doctoral dissertation committee provides guidance and feedback to the student during the research process, evaluates the student's dissertation and makes a recommendation to the graduate school, and ensures that the student's research is ethical and complies with university regulations.

Violating academic integrity in a doctoral program can have serious consequences, including failing the course or being expelled from the program, having to retake the course or complete additional coursework, and being denied the doctoral degree.

The best way to avoid violating academic integrity is to be honest and transparent about your sources, cite all sources properly, and get help from your professors and TAs if you are struggling with a course.

Plagiarism is copying someone else's work and presenting it as your own, while self-plagiarism is reusing your own work without giving yourself credit. Both are considered violations of academic integrity.

The IRB (Institutional Review Board) is responsible for reviewing and approving research proposals involving human subjects, ensuring that research is conducted ethically and in accordance with federal regulations, and protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects.

Doctoral students should be aware of the ethical considerations related to the rights and welfare of human subjects, the use of animals in research, and the use of confidential information when conducting research.

The best way to ensure that your research is ethical is to consult with your advisor and the IRB, follow all applicable laws and regulations, and be honest and transparent about your research methods and findings.

A primary source is a firsthand account of an event or period of time, such as a letter, diary, or government document. A secondary source is an account of an event or period of time that is based on primary sources, such as a textbook or historical analysis.

Citing sources in academic writing is important to give credit to the original author, to avoid plagiarism, and to provide readers with more information about the topic.

APA (American Psychological Association) style is the most common citation style used in academic writing.

The purpose of a literature review in a doctoral dissertation is to demonstrate the student's knowledge of the existing literature on the topic, to identify gaps in the literature and justify the need for the study, and to provide a context for the study and help the reader understand the significance of the research.

The best way to write a strong literature review is to be comprehensive and cover all relevant studies on the topic, to be critical and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the existing research, and to be organized and present the information in a logical and coherent manner.