Academic Integrity: Contract Cheating

Contract cheating is a form of academic dishonesty in which a student uses a third party to complete their academic work and then falsely claims it as their own. A third party can be a commercial provider or company, current or former student, family member or acquaintance.

Academic file sharing is the illegal sharing of copyrighted materials including course materials, assignment documents, and assessments.

If a student shares course materials on contract cheating websites, they are using copyright protected materials without permission and violating the Academic Integrity Policy. NSCC can identify students who upload content to these websites.

Contact the Library & Learning Commons or the Copyright Office if you have questions or concerns about contract cheating or academic file sharing.

Academic integrity is built on core values like love, courage, respect, honesty, humility, truth, and wisdom, all of which contribute to a just and honest learning environment. Contract cheating undermines these principles by encouraging dishonesty and showing disregard for original creators, authors, and intellectual property rights.

To better understand contract cheating, ask yourself the following questions:

• Who is profiting when copyrighted materials are shared?
• Who is harmed when materials are shared online and without permission?
• How can you determine if an online service is trustworthy?
• What are the risks associated with these sites?

Contract cheating can take many forms. These actions not only compromise academic integrity but also diminish the value of your learning experience and undermine the principles of honesty and fairness.

Some examples include:

• uploading assignments, tests or other course materials to websites
• purchasing an assignment or paper from an online website
• having AI services complete or contribute to your work without faculty permission
• having someone else do your academic work and take credit for it as your own
• having someone take a test in your place
• sharing your work without faculty permission is a form of academic misconduct

Take time to understand the NSCC Academic Integrity Policy and academic misconduct consequences. 

Academic file-sharing websites are platforms where users upload, share, and access academic materials such as notes, essays, assignments, and other educational resources. Be aware that such websites often disguise their services as "homework help" or "tutoring support".

There are many reasons to avoid file-sharing sites, including:

• Material may be out-of-date or inaccurate.
• Sharing materials may put students at risk of academic misconduct and violate copyright law.
• Payment is often required to use content and services. Some companies have been known to threaten students by asking for more money or they will contact their school or instructor.
• As registration is required to upload, access and use content, personal and financial information maybe saved or shared without your knowledge or consent.
• Many websites reward students who upload course materials by giving them access to website content and services without having to pay.

Examples of Websites to Avoid

The following websites do not meet NSCC academic integrity standards: Course Hero, StuDocU, Easy EDU, Docsity, Chegg, Thinkswap

For NSCC approved tutoring and assignment help, visit Tutoring Services.

It can be challenging to identify when a website is selling contract cheating services. If you are unsure, contact your faculty or Library & Learning Commons for assistance. Use NSCC's tutoring and writing services.

Developing skills in time management, stress management, research skills and academic integrity, can foster confidence in you academic work. 

Steps you can take to prevent contract cheating include:

• taking time to understand your assignment expectations well in advance of your due dates
• reviewing academic integrity policies
• understanding the risks associated with contract cheating
• seeking extra support when needed
• contacting your faculty for more time, if needed

Centennial College Libraries. (2020, October 20). Contract cheating [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/G3zQx7gr3Pk