The Assignment Help NZ and Academic Integrity

The Assignment Help.co.nz positions itself as a solution for students struggling with academic workloads, referencing, plagiarism, and language proficiency. While these are common and valid student concerns, the method offered by the service—completing assignments on behalf of students—directly contravenes the fundamental principles of academic integrity upheld by all reputable educational institutions worldwide, including those in New Zealand. Academic integrity is the bedrock of higher education; it ensures that qualifications are earned through honest effort and that graduates possess the genuine knowledge and skills they claim. When students outsource their assignments, they are essentially engaging in a form of academic dishonesty, which is often termed “contract cheating” or “ghostwriting.” This practice undermines the entire learning process and devalues the degrees earned by honest students.

Understanding the Concept of Academic Integrity

• Definition: Academic integrity refers to the commitment to ethical principles in academic work, including honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. It means presenting one’s own work and acknowledging the contributions of others.
• Core Principles: The International Centre for Academic Integrity (ICAI) identifies six fundamental values:
  • Honesty: In all academic endeavours, including exams, assignments, and research.
  • Trust: Fostering an environment where academic work is seen as credible and genuine.
  • Fairness: Ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to succeed based on their own merits.
  • Respect: For intellectual property, fellow students, and educators.
  • Responsibility: For one’s own learning and for upholding academic standards.
  • Courage: To act ethically even when it is difficult.
• Consequences of Violations: Academic institutions in New Zealand have clear policies on academic misconduct. Consequences can range from failing an assignment or course, suspension, to expulsion, and may also impact future career prospects or applications for further study. In fact, reports from Universities New Zealand highlight an increasing trend of academic integrity breaches, with institutions actively implementing stricter policies and detection methods.

The Ethical Dilemma of Ghostwriting Services

• Misrepresentation of Skills: Submitting ghostwritten work misrepresents a student’s actual skills and knowledge, leading to a degree that does not accurately reflect their abilities.
• Undermining Learning: The purpose of assignments is to facilitate learning, reinforce concepts, and develop critical skills. When assignments are outsourced, this crucial learning process is circumvented.
• Plagiarism by Proxy: Even if the “Ph.D writer” creates original content, the act of submitting it as one’s own constitutes plagiarism by the student. Educational institutions define plagiarism broadly to include submitting work done by another person.
• Devaluation of Education: The prevalence of ghostwriting services devalues the hard-earned qualifications of students who complete their work ethically, and erodes public trust in academic credentials.
• Long-term Detriment: Students who rely on these services fail to develop essential academic and professional skills, such as research, critical thinking, writing, and time management, which are vital for success beyond university. A 2021 study by the Australian Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) found that students who engage in contract cheating often struggle more after graduation due to their undeveloped skills.

Why Students Seek Such Services and Legitimate Alternatives

• Perceived Pressure: Students often feel immense pressure due to heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and complex academic requirements.
• Lack of Confidence: Some students, particularly those with English as a second language, or those transitioning to higher education, may lack confidence in their academic writing abilities.
• Time Constraints: Juggling studies with work, family commitments, or other responsibilities can lead to severe time constraints.
• Legitimate Support: Instead of contract cheating, students should seek help from their university’s academic support services, writing centres, tutors, and learning advisors. These resources are designed to equip students with the skills they need to succeed independently and ethically. For instance, most NZ universities offer free workshops on essay writing, referencing, and research skills.