What is an interview to determine authenticity of work?
Some students may make an error in judgement or may simply be unaware of the rules governing academic best practice. We recommend you familiarise yourself with the guidance provided by your department for each module you undertake as part of your studies. Nevertheless, the University regulations on unacceptable academic practice (UAP) are strict and they govern cases where a student has been alleged to have undertaken unacceptable academic practice (intentionally or otherwise).
The definition of ‘unacceptable academic practice’ is multifaceted but when it triggers an interview to determine authenticity of work it will include allegations of students presenting work generated by AI as if it were your own or assignment submissions from essay mills or ghost-writing services.
The Chair of Examination Board may request that an interview be held to establish the authenticity of work submitted.
The department shall inform the student of the date, time and place of the interview.
Because there is reason to believe the work is not entirely a students’ own work, the purpose of the interview is to test the student’s knowledge of the work they have submitted and to provide the student with the opportunity to demonstrate the work is their own, prior to a UAP panel investigation (if appropriate).
The interview panel shall be composed of a Chair who is independent to the allegation and a subject expert (normally the marker or module coordinator). A record of the interview must be kept in the form of written minutes and may be added to the evidence of a UAP allegation if the allegation is progressed.
What if you are suspected of submitting work which is not entirely your own?
Students shall have the opportunity to submit evidence relating to the allegation including any preparatory work such as drafts and feedback. They may be represented by an advisor from the Students’ Union. Representation by other persons will be at the discretion of the Chair, and any requests for such representation should be made in writing to the Chair in advance of the interview panel meeting. Legal representation at the meeting will not normally be permitted.
The panel usually ask questions around how you went about creating the piece of work you’ve submitted, what your process is, where you get the information and sources you’ve used etc. They will also ask questions regarding the subject matter to determine your understanding of the topic. And they will also ask you if you utilised any AI tools when producing the piece of work in question and if so, what you used and how it is used within the submission. Each department has guidance regarding the use of AI for each module which you should be able to find on Blackboard.
What are the penalties?
Following the interview the panel will report their opinion on the student’s knowledge of the work and the reasons for this conclusion.
Where the interview panel determine the student has not demonstrated the work is their own the Chair of the Examination Board will refer the case to a UAP panel to investigate an allegation of Unacceptable Academic Practice along with details of the allegation and the report from the interview.
Where a student admits that they committed UAP as part of the interview process the Chair of Examination Board will refer the case to the Academic Registry to determine the appropriate penalty.
Where the interview panel determine the student has demonstrated the work is their own the Chair of the Examination Board will inform the module coordinator that the work should be marked according to published departmental criteria and inform the student that no further action will be taken. Your marks will then be released to you.
What can the Undeb Aber Advice Service do to help?
The Undeb Aber Advice Service is independent from the University and provides a free, confidential and impartial service to all Aberystwyth University students.
We recognise that being suspected of undertaking Unacceptable Practice can seem worrying, and therefore encourage you to contact the Advice Service as soon as possible.
The Advice Service can assist you in a range of ways, including:
- Explain the interview to determine authenticity of work process to you;
- Give you an idea of the type of questions the interview panel are likely to ask as well as advise you how best to clarify, dispute or explain your circumstances;
- Accompany you to any interview to provide support and representation;
- Advise you on potential penalties that could be imposed;
- Continued advice if your case is progressed to a UAP panel.
To discuss all of your options, including what support is available to you, please contact us below:
Contact an Advisor
Useful links:
First Produced: August 2024
Reviewed: August 2024