What is Collusion and Why is it Important to Avoid?
Collusion happens when you work with someone else on an assignment in a way that goes beyond general help, leading to work that is not entirely your own. This is different from correctly citing another person’s opinions or research—collusion means presenting another person’s knowledge, work, or experience as if it were solely yours. Like plagiarism, collusion is considered academic dishonesty.
Why is Collusion a Problem?
Collusion is a form of academic misconduct because:
- It blurs the line between independent work and shared work—your assessments should reflect your own understanding and effort.
- It creates unfair advantages, as not all students may have access to expert help.
- It reduces learning opportunities, as completing work independently is an important part of developing skills and knowledge.
Examples of Collusion
- Getting direct help from someone without crediting them – If an expert (e.g., a specialist surgeon at your workplace) helps you with your assignment, you must acknowledge their contribution. This ensures their knowledge is credited properly.
- Working too closely with a friend or colleague – If you and a classmate discuss an assignment and submit very similar work, it may be considered collusion. While study groups can be useful, your final work should be written independently.
How to Correctly Use Another Person’s Knowledge
If you include insights from a knowledgeable person, you should:
- Use quotation marks when directly quoting their words.
- Include an in-text citation to acknowledge their contribution.
- List them in your reference section to ensure proper credit is given.
By correctly referencing contributions from others, you maintain academic integrity and demonstrate your ability to research and apply knowledge ethically.