Upholding Academic Integrity in EAP

Abstract

Given that academic integrity is an important component in academic writing courses, outlining the types of academic misconduct that are mostly encountered in EAP settings along with the possible causes can lead to possible solutions and suggestions. Thus, in this chapter, we depict the types of academic dishonesty in EAP settings based mainly on writing skills and portray the possible causes along with the attainable suggestions. Studies on academic integrity show that plagiarism is the most common type of academic misconduct. Language barrier appears to be the main reason, and literature supports that international students have a greater tendency to plagiarize due to feeling incompetent in the target language. Moreover, with advancements in remote learning methodologies and technological tools, learners have a propensity to use AI tools while creating their assignments, believed to be a problem beyond plagiarism. Lastly, contract cheating is another common type of academic dishonesty in EAP settings. The reasons are highlighted as discontent about the setting of the instruction and learning and the attitude of learners toward various ways of cheating. For all these problems and causes, a penalty would be regarded as a possible solution or suggestion. However, instead of focusing on the results of academic dishonesty and sanctions, solutions should be centered on the pedagogic policies developed to prevent academic misconduct. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.