Business Questions on Academic Integrity

Who was most at fault for this situation?

Both Reggie and Arnie were in the wrong, both severely compromised academic integrity by copying the work of another and presenting it as their own. Reggie did not only copy the ideas and present them as his own, he copied the entire text. One may argue that under the circumstances he may have made a bad decision, with the different pressures he had not time to write the paper, as he had more important priorities. However, even allowing for difficult circumstances he undertook a course of action he knew was wrong. This is seen with the conversion he had with Arnie, when he told Arnie not to do the same; he was attempting to ensure that he was not caught. Arnie then made the same decision; to copy from an internet web site, and submit it as his own. However, if Reggie had not told Arnie about the web site, Arnie may not have cheated.

One may ultimately argue that the students are to blame. However, when looking more deeply there may also be some contributory factors. The students had a lot of reading, and do not appear to have understood the subject matter, there may be some consideration of the teaching that took place. However, this does not move the blame, as the students should have approached their teacher to ask for help. One may also argue that had the content not been available, then the student should not have been able to use it. However, there may also be many legitimate uses of the content, such as to increase understanding; therefore it is not the real cause. One could also look at the level of warnings that the collage gave regarding academic integrity; if they were...

However the ultimate blame can only reside with the poor decision made by Reggie who was the cause, and was followed by Arnie.
2.

Was Reggie more at fault than Arnie?

Reggie found the web site and gave Arnie the idea, so one may argue that Reggie has a greater share of the blame. However, Reggie made a decision to copy the web page, and Arnie made the same decision, so both may be seen as to blame. One may argue that it may have been Arnies decision to copy the web site that led to them being caught due tot he similarities in the two papers. However both made the same decision to cheat so both are equally to blame.

3.

Should Dr. Johnson have given Reggie and Arnie an 'F' in the course?

Dr Johnson gave both students an F. When one considers the situation, neither student fulfilled the basic criteria, as neither sent in their own work; therefore an F. is more than fair. The only other options would be to pass or fail the students. If they were passed they would pass a course without doing all of the work, which would be unfair on other students, and as seen in the case, without fully understanding the content. It may be argued that failing the students would also be fair, as the students copied work, and this may also place doubt on past work. However, as a first offence, an F. is fair.

4.

Is it ethical for websites to sell term papers, even if they advertise them as 'for information only?"

This is a difficult question, as just like any other tool that may be used in…