Examination Standards

It is crucial for quality that all participants accept and apply the same basic concept of how examinations are administered. Therefore the University of Göttingen sets out its general guidelines on Bachelor and Master degree programme examinations as well as other degree programmes in its General Exam Regulations (Allgemeine Prüfungsordnung, APO), which are developed in close cooperation with the faculties. In addition, there are examination and study regulations applicable to each specific degree programme which set out more practical details on the arrangement of examinations and studying. The doctoral regulations of the faculties govern the process of obtaining a PhD.

The General Exam Regulations set out rules on the organisation and completion of a degree as well as every aspect of the examination process. The examination process is managed and organised by the Examination Offices. An Examination Office receives its standards from the degree programme’s Examination Board.

Transparency is critical to success for everyone who takes part in an examination. This includes all the examiners as well as those taking the exam, and starts with a clear explanation of the form and situation of the exam, through to its duration and how grades are applied. Section 15 of the General Exam Regulations stipulates both the type of examination as well as the time allowed for work and correction. Section 16 governs the grades.

Usually the arrangements for a specific exam are also set out in the module descriptions in the examination and study regulations.

The compensation for disadvantages enshrined in the General Exam Regulations (APO) (Section 21 Safeguards) aims to provide equal opportunities during studies and examinations to students with health problems, pregnant women, and students with parenting or caring responsibilities, as well as to set standards for the design and implementation of the degree programme. Students can obtain information and advice about the arrangement of measures to compensate for disadvantages either from the representative for students with disabilities and chronic diseases or the Family Service; the faculties’ study and examination advisors also offer information about responsibilities and procedures on individual degree programmes and provide support for implementation.

One key factor is the equal treatment and equal opportunity of all examinees. If a candidate faces severe limitations the exam situation may have to be adapted. Appropriate compensation for disadvantages is governed in the degree programmes’ exam regulations. The study and examination advisors in the faculties consult about what compensation for disadvantages is necessary.

Examination Prodecure Guidelines

Since December 2014 there have been Examination Procedure guidelines, which were developed by staff from Student and Academic Services (Exam Administration (FlexNow) and e-learning, Ombudsperson and complaints, Academic Programme Development and Examination Regulations, Student Advisory Service, Diversity Management and Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) in close consultation with teaching staff and employees from the study and examination advice services; they are designed to be an aid to teaching staff in preparing, conducting, assessing and reviewing their examinations, as well as being a reminder of the relevant regulations. These guidelines were explicitly developed as an optional aid to teaching staff. They are recommendations which are revised at regular intervals and adapted to new discoveries.

Good Research Practice

“Academic integrity forms the basis of trustworthy research. It is an expression of academic commitment, which embraces respectful conduct towards one another, to study participants, to animals, cultural heritage and the environment, and strengthens and promotes the indispensable trust of society in research. (…) Academics bear responsibility for realising and guaranteeing the fundamental values and standards of research work in their actions.” (DFG Leitlinien zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis [DFG’s guidelines for ensuring good research practice] 2019, p. 7/9).

Ensuring high standards of scholarship in research while maintaining an atmosphere of openness, creativity and motivation is essential to the University of Göttingen. Upholding the rules of good research practice plays a key role in the realisation of these goals. Therefore, great importance is placed on raising awareness of the rules of good research practice and the exercise of suitable skills both during undergraduate studies and in later stages of studying, as well as in the oversight of junior academics at the University of Göttingen.

In order to make sure that the principles of good research practice are transparent to all those working in research, the university and the University Medical Centre Göttingen (UMG) have developed the Rules of the University of Göttingen Governing the Safeguarding of Good Research Practice (Ordnung zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis) based on the DFG guidelines, which is binding on all members of the university and UMG. Information on the rules of good research practice and an outline of the university’s system of ombudspersons can be found in the brochure Ein Orientierungsrahmen für die gute wissenschaftliche Praxis [Guidance on Good Research Practice].

Reporting suspicions of academic misconduct & contacts

If there are questions about good research practice and in the event of academics at the University of Göttingen being suspected of violations, the head of the Ombudsperson service for good research practice, Dr. Katharina Beier, is here as first contact to provide confidential personal support to all members of the university. The ombudsperson service in particular also provides information on the ombudsperson procedure and what stages may follow.

At the request of the reporting individual the ombudsperson service can also establish contact with an ombudsperson. As well as advice and mediation, the ombudsperson team is responsible for examining the plausibility of any suspicions that are raised. If there are indications of academic misconduct, the ombudsperson team will conduct its proceedings as a panel. Both advice from an ombudsperson and the proceedings are confidential. If the proceedings by the ombudsperson team corroborate the accusations of academic misconduct the case will be passed to the Gemeinsame Untersuchungskommission der Universität und Universitätsmedizin [Joint Investigation Commission of the University and University Medical Centre] which will conduct formal investigation proceedings. The university executive will only be informed if academic misconduct is proven.

Other contacts, e.g. in the case of disputes with a supervisor, are available; for instance the confidential advisors in the faculties and postgraduate schools or the coordinators of the postgraduate and doctoral degree programmes. Students can approach the Representative for Academic Quality/ombudsperson) in conflicts and difficult situations affecting teaching and learning. The contact for identification of plagiarism at the university’s IT competence centre, GWDG (Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen), is Mr Roland Groh roland.groh(at)gwdg.de.