Ethical Guidelines for Studies
For Xamk, it is a priority to ensure the progress of studies and the wellbeing of and social interaction between students. Fairness, equality, and non-discrimination are essential qualities of ethically sustainable operations.
Ethical Guidelines support learning and wellbeing
Ethical Guidelines for Studies
Ethical guidelines are an essential part of Xamk’s study guidance system and they support students’ learning and wellbeing. The guidelines aim at preventing misconduct and promoting zero tolerance at Xamk with regard to inappropriate behaviour, bullying and harassment. In addition, the guidelines present instructions on ethical academic study.
Misconduct
Misconduct is any breach of the examination regulations, a plagiarised assignment or thesis or any plagiarised part of an assignment or a thesis, and deceptive conduct with regard to practical training or work placement or deceptive conduct related to one’s studies. Misconduct is always considered a punishable offence against the academic community. There will be consequences for a student who is found guilty of any form of misconduct.
Inappropriate behaviour and harassment
Inappropriate behaviour and harassment are not accepted in any of Xamk premises or learning environments. Members of the higher education community must not harm or endanger their own safety or health or that of others and must follow the safety and security instructions issued by the university of applied sciences.
Responsible Conduct of Research
All studies at Xamk must comply with the Guidelines for the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR guidelines) published by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity. The objective of the guidelines is to promote good research practices and to prevent related violations. The good research practices described in the guidelines must also complied with in UAS studies as well as bachelor’s and master’s theses and research and development projects at universities of applied sciences. However, allegations of research integrity violations in UAS studies and theses are not handled by the procedures in the guidelines. Instead, Xamk has drafted its own process for that purpose.
The Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (Arene) has prepared Ethical Recommendations for Thesis Writing at Universities of Applied Sciences. The recommendations discuss the rights, obligations and responsibilities of participants in the thesis process from a research ethical point of view. They are based on legislation and the scientific community’s international and national research ethics principles, policies, and recommendations.
Support and Guidance
On matters related to research ethics, assistance and counselling is provided by the Research Ethics Adviser. The advisor at Xamk is Social Services Principal Lecturer Johanna Hirvonen, tel. +358 40 546 9262, firstname.lastname@xamk.fi. Mikkeli Campus.