How would you handle the situation if you saw one of your classmates cheating during the course? What would you say, and who would you address it to?
This is an ethically based question and is requiring you to consider the dilemma, and how you would handle it. Many employers include ethical questions as part of their interview process and it can be tricky to determine how to best answer these types of questions. Medical school interviews are also known for their ethical questions to determine the interviewee's ethical decision making. It can be helpful to first review different ethical interview questions so you have a good sense of what these questions are like and then practice responding so you are better prepared in your interview.
"I do not condone cheating personally, and therefore if I saw someone cheating I would want to raise it with my teacher or someone senior at the school. I believe it is important to be honest however I would ask that the issue be dealt with anonymously so as not to affect my future studies or cause conflict within the class"
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Unfortunately, many individuals believe that cheating is an answer to success. However, this could not be further from the truth. Cheating can affect more people than just the cheater themselves. I would bring the situation to the instructor's attention, and I would ask for the situation to be handled anonymously.
Rachelle's Feedback
You are correct in that cheating impacts a lot more than just the person cheating. It seems you would handle the situation well.
Anonymous Answer
I do not think cheating is fair, so I would raise my concern with a teacher, allowing them to decide on the next steps. I would ask for my claim to be anonymous.
Rachelle's Feedback
The industry must remain fair, and this starts with every graduate being a person of integrity. Good response.
Anonymous Answer
Cheating is morally wrong and dishonest. It is unfair to those who are successful through hard work. I would report my concerns to a teacher and ask them to keep my identity anonymous so I am not impacted negatively by another individual's actions.
Rachelle's Feedback
Nice work! Your answer is straightforward and you take a strong stance against cheating while providing compelling reasons as to why it's wrong.
Anonymous Answer
I would speak to them first as there may be a reason why they may be struggling to keep up with work, and if this is the case, I will help them seek extra help. However, cheating is very unfair on other students who are working hard, so I would bring up the issue with a teacher if they refused to talk to someone about it themselves.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very good approach! Your reply shows a lot of kindness and understanding while still showing a firm stance on ethics in the industry.
Anonymous Answer
I would try to speak to them in private, in a way that shows I am not judgmental but just concerned for them. I would not speak to a tutor about it without their consent. It is important to understand why they decided to cheat because it may be due to extenuating circumstances that the person was in. If so, I would try to get them to speak to the tutor about their case (I could do it for them without disclosing their name if they're unwilling to) to see if there is any help available for them. If they cheated and were not in extenuating circumstances, I would make sure they knew what they did was wrong and not fair to other students, and I would ensure they don't do it again.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your approach to this hypothetical situation is fair, and it also showcases your caring and understanding nature. You make a great distinction between extenuating circumstances vs. someone who is simply looking for an easier path.
Anonymous Answer
It is always best to address this with the person directly involved. Therefore, I would first open a discussion with them stating that I think they have acted dishonestly and inappropriately. This allows them the opportunity to change without harming them. If they do not change, I would tell them that I will have to report this to one of the professors so the necessary consequences are implemented.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's nice that you would approach your classmate first to uncover the reasoning for their actions. Your answer shows maturity and care for others.
Anonymous Answer
If I saw a classmate cheat I would discuss with them what I saw to help me understand the situation better. I would then communicate with them that I think they should report themselves to the teacher, owing up to the cheating as it is what is morally acceptable to do.
Amanda's Feedback
This is a good start. Ethical behavior is valuable to every employer. Expand your answer further by talking about what you'd do if he or she didn't report the cheating? Do you report it to the instructor? You can also talk about why it's important to report unethical behavior because cheating can prevent the student from gaining the knowledge needed to treat patients correctly.
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