Introduction to the AIS Code of Research Conduct

In this paper, we discuss the AIS Code of Research Conduct approved by AIS Council at its December 2003 meeting. . We explain the purpose of the Code, its focus, who developed the code, and indicate the participation of many leading scholars in our community. We discuss how the Code may be used as an instrument to assist in maintaining the integrity of our journals and conference proceedings. We identify processes by which scholars who were victimized may seek redress. The adoption of this code of research conduct is as an important step in the maturing of our IS community

Plagiarism by Academics: More Complex Than It Seems

The unattributed incorporation of the work of others into an academic publication is widely regarded as seriously inappropriate behavior. Yet imitation is fundamental to many things that people do, even in academic disciplines. This paper examines the range of activities in which academics engage, including a detailed study of the authoring of textbooks. It concludes that a more fine-grained analysis of plagiarism is needed, in order to distinguish copying that is harmful to the intellectual process, and that which is important to it

Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Member Misconduct to the AIS Council

This article contains the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Member Misconduct which was presented to the AIS Council at its meeting on December 15, 2002 in Barcelona, Spain. The committee was established in response to an inquiry on plagiarism that was placed before the Council. The report includes an overview of the literature on plagiarism, the views of eight editors of IS journals, and guidelines for dealing with the issue. The Committee makes four recommendations: 1. Creation of a new standing committee of the AIS Council to deal with member misconduct. 2. A pledge of originality for every paper submitted to AIS for publication 3. A change in the way members are dismissed from AIS so it becomes the responsibility of Council 4. A member poll to determine what is considered acceptable behavior as the first step in creating an AIS code of ethics