Explorer,Winter­2023 Vol­ LXII ISSN 0974­6757

Upholding Academic Integrity in Higher Education: A

Prof. Ajay Kumar Shukla

Abstract:
This paper explores the pivotal role of academic integrity in the pursuit of
knowledge and scholarly advancement. It presents a holistic framework
aimed at fostering academic integrity, encompassing the foundational at­
tributes of robust research, guiding principles for scholarly inquiry, and
initiatives implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to
promote ethical scholarship. The framework suggested in the paper delin­
eates the essential elements of robust research, emphasizing familiarity
with existing literature, critical evaluation of knowledge, synthesis of di­
verse information, and adherence to ethical conduct. It introduces the
6Cs and 6Ds as fundamental pillars in conducting comprehensive and
effective research, highlighting clarity, credibility, coherence, context, com­
pliance, and contribution. Additionally, the paper discusses the digital ini­
tiatives spearheaded by the UGC, including the Research and Publication
Ethics (RPE) course for Pre Ph D students and platforms like the UGC­
CARE website, Shodhganga, and Shodhgangotri, aimed at enhancing
awareness of publication ethics, facilitating research consultation, and pro­
moting academic integrity. By embracing this comprehensive framework,
scholars, educators, and institutions can cultivate a culture of ethical schol­
arship, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and societal
progress.
Keywords: Academic integrity, Ethical scholarship, Robust research, UGC
initiatives, Digital platforms.

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The 6Cs and 6Ds are fundamental pillars in conducting comprehensive
and effective research:
In the pursuit of knowledge and scholarly advancement, maintaining aca­
demic integrity is paramount. At the core of academic integrity lies the 1. Clarity: Clarity is indispensable for presenting ideas, hypotheses, and
commitment to honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all aspects findings in a clear and concise manner. Researchers must ensure that their
of scholarly endeavour. Central to this commitment is the practice of con­ work is understandable to their target audience, whether it’s fellow aca­
ducting robust research—an endeavour characterized by rigour, critical demics, policymakers, or the general public.
thinking, and adherence to ethical principles. As Albert Einstein aptly stated,
‘Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with 2. Credibility: Credibility is the cornerstone of trustworthy and reliable
important matters.’ This quote underscores the fundamental importance research. It involves employing sound methodologies, accurate data, and
of honesty and integrity in scholarly pursuits. transparent reporting to ensure that the findings can withstand scrutiny
from peers and stakeholders.
Let us now begin with what constitutes Robust Research. Robust re­
search is distinguished by several key attributes that underscore its rigour 3. Coherence: Coherence refers to the logical flow and organization of
and credibility. Firstly, it is built upon a comprehensive comprehension of research. A coherent study presents well­connected arguments, smooth
existing literature and theoretical frameworks pertinent to the research transitions between sections, and a clear structure that guides the reader
subject. Researchers are tasked with demonstrating their familiarity with through the research process seamlessly.
relevant scholarly works by appropriately citing them and incorporating
4. Context: Context is crucial for understanding the broader background
them into their analyses. Secondly, robust research entails the critical evalu­
and significance of research within its field or discipline. Researchers must
ation of existing knowledge through systematic comparison and contrast.
situate their work within existing literature, theories, and debates to dem­
Researchers are entrusted with assessing various perspectives, method­
onstrate its relevance and contribution to the field.
ologies, and findings to identify gaps, contradictions, or areas of consen­
sus within the literature. Thirdly, robust research involves the meticulous 5. Compliance: Compliance entails adhering to ethical guidelines, research
critique of research methodologies, data collection techniques, and ana­ regulations, and standards of conduct. This includes obtaining proper con­
lytical approaches employed in prior studies. By scrutinizing the strengths sent, protecting participants’ confidentiality, and following institutional pro­
and limitations of existing research, scholars can refine their own method­ tocols to ensure that the research is conducted ethically and responsibly.
ological choices and contribute to knowledge advancement in their field.
Moreover, robust research is characterized by the ability to establish 6. Contribution: Contribution refers to the originality and significance of
meaningful connections between disparate ideas, theories, or empirical research. A valuable study offers new insights, advances knowledge, or
findings. Researchers must demonstrate their capacity to synthesize di­ addresses important gaps in existing literature. Researchers should clearly
verse sources of information and identify patterns or relationships that articulate the contribution of their work to the field and its potential impact
foster a deeper understanding of the research topic. Finally, robust re­ on theory, practice, or policy.
search underscores the significance of ethical conduct and integrity through­
out the research process. Researchers are expected to uphold principles Additionally, the 6Ds encompass critical components in the research pro­
of honesty, transparency, and respect for intellectual property rights, cess:
thereby ensuring the integrity and credibility of their work.
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1.Define: Clearly defining the research problem or question is essential Upholding academic integrity is essential not only for maintaining the cred­
for ensuring a focused and purposeful research effort. Researchers ar­ ibility and reputation of educational institutions but also for fostering a
ticulate the objectives, scope, and boundaries of the study to avoid ambi­ culture of honesty, fairness, and trust among students, faculty, and re­
guity and maintain clarity. searchers. In this context, six pillars emerge as fundamental elements of
academic integrity, each contributing to the cultivation of ethical scholar­
2. DesignDesign involves planning and organizing the research study, ship and the advancement of knowledge.
including decisions about the research approach, sampling strategy, data
collection methods, and analytical techniques. A well­designed study en­ 1. Honesty: At the heart of academic integrity lies honesty, which entails
sures that research objectives are addressed effectively and efficiently. truthfulness and sincerity in all scholarly endeavors. Honesty involves ac­
curately representing one’s work, acknowledging sources, and avoiding
3.Data Collection: Data collection entails gathering relevant information deceptive practices such as plagiarism or fabrication of data.
or evidence to answer research questions or test hypotheses. Research­
ers must carefully plan and execute data collection to ensure validity, reli­ 2. Fairness: Fairness ensures equitable treatment and opportunities for
ability, and representativeness of the data. all individuals within the academic community. It involves adhering to im­
partial grading standards, providing equal access to resources and educa­
4.Discuss: Discussing the findings is integral to the research process. tional opportunities, and avoiding favouritism or discrimination.
Researchers interpret results, evaluate their significance, and discuss im­
plications in relation to research questions or objectives, providing in­ 3. Respect: Respect entails valuing the contributions, rights, and per­
sights, context, and meaning to their findings. spectives of others in the academic community. This includes respecting
intellectual property by citing sources appropriately, engaging in civil dis­
5.Delineate: Delineating involves clearly outlining key findings, conclu­ course, and recognizing the diversity of ideas and backgrounds.
sions, and recommendations of the research study. Presenting results in a
structured and coherent manner helps readers understand the significance 4. Responsibility: Responsibility encompasses taking ownership of one’s
of the research and its contribution to the field. actions and academic pursuits. It involves adhering to academic standards,
meeting deadlines, and upholding ethical guidelines in research, teaching,
6.Document: Documenting the research process and outcomes is cru­ and scholarly communication.
cial for transparency, reproducibility, and accountability. Proper docu­
mentation, including research proposals, reports, articles, or dissertations, 5. Trust: Trust is built on a foundation of reliability, consistency, and ethi­
ensures that others can evaluate, critique, and build upon the work effec­ cal conduct. By demonstrating integrity and transparency in their actions,
tively. individuals within the academic community foster trust among peers, men­
tors, and stakeholders.
In summary, both the 6Cs and 6Ds are indispensable stages in the re­
search process, guiding researchers to plan, execute, and communicate 6. Transparency: Transparency promotes openness and clarity in re­
their findings effectively and ethically. search practices, methodologies, and decision­making processes. It in­
volves disclosing potential conflicts of interest, accurately reporting data
and findings, and maintaining integrity throughout the research lifecycle.

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Together, these six pillars form the bedrock of academic integrity, guiding late a policy specifically addressing plagiarism and obtain approval from
scholars and educators in their pursuit of knowledge and scholarly excel­ the appropriate statutory body of the university. Additionally, institutes are
lence while upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct. required to submit electronic copies of Ph.D. dissertations to INFLIBNET,
a digital repository. These measures underscore the UGC’s commitment
In the contemporary landscape of academia, it seems students are em­ to upholding academic integrity and ensuring rigorous standards of re­
bracing a rather unconventional approach to research, one that humor­ search and scholarship across higher education institutions.
ously prioritizes shortcuts over thorough investigation. They appear to
favor a strategy encapsulated in the quirky acronym ACT­FACT­TACT­ Plagiarism is categorized into different levels based on the degree of simi­
CONTACT. Essentially, this suggests a desire to minimize active engage­ larity detected in academic works, each carrying its own set of conse­
ment (“act”), while selectively gathering facts, albeit with a certain finesse quences:
or tact. Moreover, their focus extends beyond the mere acquisition of
information to the cultivation of strategic connections (“contact”) that may · Level 0: This level entails up to 10% similarity between the sub­
expedite their research endeavors. While this approach may raise eye­ mitted work and existing sources. While minor similarities are noted, there
brows, it underscores the evolving dynamics of academic integrity in the are no penalties imposed for such instances.
digital age, prompting a deeper reflection on the challenges and com­ · Level 1: With a similarity range from above 10% to 40%, Level 1
plexities surrounding scholarly conduct. plagiarism triggers the withdrawal of the manuscript. This indicates a sig­
Having established the foundational principles of good research and in­ nificant overlap with existing content, warranting action to maintain aca­
troduced the 6C and 6 D framework as a guide to scholarly inquiry, we demic integrity.
now turn our attention to the guidelines provided by the University Grants · Level 2: Plagiarism at this level involves a similarity range of above
Commission (UGC) regarding academic integrity in Indian higher educa­ 40% to 60%. Along with withdrawing the manuscript, individuals found
tion. The UGC, as the apex body responsible for coordinating and main­ guilty at this level face additional repercussions. They are denied one an­
taining standards of higher education in India, has issued directives and nual increment, impacting their career progression. Furthermore, they are
recommendations aimed at upholding ethical standards and promoting barred from supervising new Master’s and Ph.D. students/scholars for a
academic integrity among students, faculty, and researchers.The UGC’s period of two years.
instructions on academic integrity encompass various aspects of scholarly
conduct, including plagiarism, research ethics, and publication practices. · Level 3: The most severe form of plagiarism, Level 3, encom­
These instructions serve as a framework for educational institutions to passes a similarity rate above 60%. In addition to withdrawing the manu­
develop policies and procedures that foster a culture of honesty, trans­ script, individuals at this level face substantial penalties. They are denied
parency, and intellectual integrity. two successive annual increments, significantly affecting their professional
advancement. Moreover, they are prohibited from supervising new
In 2018, the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced the “Pro­ Master’s or Ph.D. students/scholars for an extended period of three years.
motion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Edu­
cational Institutions” Regulations, which have a broad application encom­ These penalties are established in accordance with the guidelines pro­
passing students, faculty, researchers, and staff within higher educational vided by the University Grants Commission (UGC) through Letter No. –
institutions. Under these regulations, institutions are mandated to formu­ D.O.No.F.1­18/2010 (CPP­II), dated August 6, 2018. They serve as a
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deterrent against plagiarism and emphasize the importance of upholding resources to support ethical research practices.
academic integrity within higher education institutions
Guidelines for the Indian academic community
The public notice outlines guidelines for the Indian academic community
To promote academic integrity and curb plagiarism, the University Grants to safeguard academic integrity:
Commission (UGC) issued a public notice on 14th June 2019, address­
ing the escalating concerns surrounding compromised publication ethics 1. Avoidance of Predatory Practices: Individuals are advised to refrain
and declining academic integrity within the research landscape. The no­ from publishing in predatory or dubious journals and participating in asso­
tice outlines measures to uphold ethical standards and foster responsible ciated conferences. Engagement with journals, publishers, or conferences
conduct in research and publication. involved in fraudulent activities should be avoided.

Increased Vigilance Required for Academic Integrity 2. Academic Credit Evaluation: Publications in predatory or dubious
journals and presentations in associated conferences should not be con­
Acknowledging the growing instances of unethical practices in publishing, sidered for academic credit. Henceforth, research publications from jour­
the UGC highlights the proliferation of dubious and predatory journals nals indexed in the UGC­CARE List must be utilized for all academic
globally, with a significant rise observed within India. Such practices, char­ purposes.
acterized by a ‘pay and publish trash’ culture, pose a threat to the cred­
ibility and integrity of scholarly work. 3. Quality­based Assessment: Academic evaluations should prioritize
the quality of research work over the quantity of publications. Rigorous
assessment criteria that uphold academic integrity must be employed by
Vice­Chancellors, selection committees, and research supervisors.
Ensuring Rigorous Scientific Endeavour
4. Challenging Compromised Integrity: Instances of compromised
The UGC emphasizes that research and innovation are foundational to academic integrity should be rigorously challenged, questioned, and
the pursuit of truth and the generation of new knowledge for societal ben­ derecognized at all levels to uphold ethical standards in academia
efit. However, misconduct, including plagiarism, undermines the integrity
of academic pursuits and erodes public trust in scholarly endeavours. All The University Grants Commission (UGC) approved the implementation
stakeholders must uphold ethical standards and promote responsible con­ of two credit courses aimed at enhancing awareness of publication ethics
duct in research. and misconduct, named Research and Publication Ethics (RPE). These
courses are mandated for all Ph.D. students as part of their pre­registra­
Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE). tion coursework. The decision was made during the 543rd meeting of the
UGC held on August 9, 2019. The courses aim to equip PhD students
In response to these challenges, the UGC has established the Consortium with essential knowledge and skills regarding ethical publication practices.
for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE). CARE is tasked with iden­
tifying, monitoring, and curating a ‘UGC­CARE Reference List of Qual­ In alignment with its commitment to enhancing academic integrity and fa­
ity Journals’ across disciplines. This initiative aims to provide the aca­ cilitating research endeavours, the University Grants Commission (UGC)
demic community with access to reputable publications and educational
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has undertaken several digital initiatives. Among these, the UGC has de­
veloped online resources and training modules such as the Research and
Publication Ethics (RPE) course, aimed at raising awareness and under­ References
standing of academic integrity. Furthermore, the UGC has introduced digital
1. Albert Einstein Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote. Retrieved from https://
platforms like the UGC­CARE website, Shodhganga, and
www.brainyquote.com/quotes/albert_einstein_143079
ShodhGangotri. which serve as hubs for quality journals, research re­
sources, and repositories of electronic theses and dissertations, facilitat­ 2. University Grants Commission. (2018). Promotion of Academic In­
ing research consultation and collaboration. These initiatives, including tegrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions Regu­
the RPE course and the UGC­CARE website, not only promote ethical lations. Retrieved from https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/6126280_UGC­
conduct in academia but also provide scholars and researchers with ac­ Regulation.pdf
cessible avenues for seeking guidance, accessing scholarly literature, and
sharing knowledge, thereby enriching the research landscape 3. University Grants Commission. (2019, June 14). Public Notice: Pro­
motion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Edu­
In the quest for knowledge and scholarly progress, academic integrity cational Institutions. Retrieved from https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/
stands as a cornerstone, essential for upholding the credibility and ethical 9574624_Public­Notice.pdf
standards of educational institutions. The framework presented in this pa­
per, integrating the 6Cs, 6Ds, and UGC guidelines, provides a robust 4. University Grants Commission. (2019, August 9). Minutes of the 543rd
blueprint for fostering ethical conduct and ensuring the quality and integ­ Meeting of the UGC. Retrieved from https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/
rity of research endeavours.As we navigate the complexities of academic 6058680_543rd­Minutes.pdf
inquiry, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to honesty, trans­
parency, and responsible scholarship. The pillars of academic integrity 5. Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics. (n.d.). Retrieved from
outlined—honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, trust, and transpar­ https://ugccare.unipune.ac.in/apps1/home/index
ency—serve as guiding principles, illuminating the path toward scholarly 6. Shodhganga. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/
excellence and societal advancement.By embracing this comprehensive
framework and adhering to its principles, scholars, educators, and institu­ 7. ShodhGangotri. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://
tions can cultivate a culture of ethical scholarship, characterized by rigor, shodhgangotri.inflibnet.ac.in/
integrity, and intellectual honesty. In doing so, we reaffirm our dedication
to the pursuit of knowledge and contribute to the collective endeavour of
building a more enlightened and ethical society.In conclusion, let us up­
hold the principles of academic integrity, championing honesty, fairness,
and responsibility in all our scholarly pursuits. Through our unwavering
commitment to ethical conduct and the rigorous application of scholarly
standards, we fortify the foundations of academia and ensure the endur­
ing relevance and impact of our research endeavours.

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