SPARK

What assignments are permitted as group work can vary from course to course, and even from assignment to assignment within a course.

Collaborating with others can help you understand and retain information, clarify confusing subject materials, and apply what you have learned. However, it is your responsibility as a student to determine what kinds of collaboration are permitted within a particular course or assignment. Ask your course instructor to clarify and provide direction about what kinds of group work and collaboration are acceptable within a particular course or assignment.

The sections below review general guidelines for acceptable group work or collaboration on assignments.

Work that is typically permissible in group assignments and projects: 

• collaborating on the structure, approach and execution of an assignment
• completing an assignment through a division of labour that has been agreed upon by the group and has been documented

Things to avoid in group assignments and projects: 

• taking credit for work completed by another individual in the group
• relying on outside services such as editing services or research services to complete elements of the assignment

Study groups are common in many disciplines and courses. Working together and drawing on one another’s ideas is often expected and encouraged.

Work that is typically permissible in study groups: 

• comparing and reviewing study notes
• discussing and clarifying concepts
• developing and evaluating study strategies
• studying together for tests and exams
• reviewing graded assignments and exams

Things to avoid in study groups:

• copying written text, tables, diagrams, code, and charts from other students and submitting the work as your own
• working together on an assignment designated as an individual activity

In general, seeking feedback from peers can be very valuable.

Being directly involved in the editing process is necessary in order to avoid collusion. Ultimately the decision to edit all minor and major edits should be left to the writer.

Do not relinquish authorship over the essay or assignment. Rather, consider feedback carefully and ensure the rationales for changes are fully understood and agreed to.

To ensure academic integrity compliance in peer feedback. The writer/student must:

• choose how to best make use of the feedback
• learn from peer feedback to become a better self-editor
• ask questions or get clarification on any confusing suggestions/revisions

To help gather feedback from peers, consult the Peer Feedback Guide located in Resources for Academic Integrity.