referencing and plagiarism

Own words

This means rephrasing ideas from sources you have read. It includes summarizing information in a way that shows your understanding. Vocabulary and sentence structure changes are necessary.

In text reference

When borrowing an idea or words (paraphrasing or quoting) from a source, the reference details are supplied next to it. The in text reference or citation includes the author's family name, year, and if necessary a page number. Take note of formatting rules applicable to different referencing systems.

Bibliography

A bibliography is a list of the sources consulted when researching for an assignment. It includes sources that have been quoted and paraphrased as well as ones that guided the author's thinking on the topic, although he / she might not have specifically referred to these in the assignment. The term 'annotated bibliography' is used to refer to a list of works on a topic, or by an author; it includes a brief description and or evaluation of each item that is listed.

Citation

A citation is the way you tell your readers that certain material in your work comes from another source. It also gives your readers the information necessary to find that source. The information supplied in the citation typically includes the author's name, year of the publication, and a page number if you are quoting.

Reference list

A list of all the sources that you referred to in your work. It provides the information necessary to identify and retrieve each source you have cited in the body of your work. Even with a reference list you will still need to acknowledge sources in the body of an assignment, either with in-text references or footnotes, depending on the referencing system you are using.

Collusion

A number in the text next to the quote links to the reference details at the bottom of the page. This system of citation is used only in some referencing systems (e.g., MLA) - you should check before you use this

Endnotes

A number in the text next to the quote links to the reference details at the end of the text. This system of citation is used only in some referencing systems - you should check before you use this.

Quote / quotation

A quote or quotation refers to the use of the exact words of an original author in one's written work. This is sometimes referred to as a direct quotation. The quotation (exact words) should be placed in quotation marks and be accompanied by a citation or reference (thus giving acknowledgment or attribution to the work of the original author). Quotations longer than 40 words, within the APA referencing style, should be displayed as an indented block, without the use of quotation marks.

Reference

A reference refers to the full bibliographic details of a source. The reference list is a composite list of references an author has used.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity means being honest in academic work and following ethical standards.

Collaboration

Collaboration involves working with others; this is quite a common practice as it helps students exchange ideas and support each other in their learning. In fact, it is expected when students are working on group projects and assignments. Collaboration likely involves discussing with other students and tutors assignment questions; working together on approaches to start an assignment, and helping each other by finding readings and discussing these. However, you must write the assignment separately, unless it is a group assessment.

EndNote

Not to be confused with Endnotes (see above), EndNote refers to a software package for storing, managing and searching your individualized reference library. It is available free to Curtin University students.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism refers to the act of reproducing someone else's words, ideas or findings and presenting them as one's own without giving credit to the source of information. There are many forms, including but not limited to the following: • direct copying of sentences, paragraphs or passages from someone else's published work (including on the Internet and in software) without acknowledging the source; • paraphrasing someone else's words without acknowledging the source; • using facts and information derived from a source without acknowledgement; • using ideas directly derived from an identifiable author without acknowledging the source; • producing assignments which should be the student's own independent work in collaboration with and/or using the work of other people (e.g. a student or tutor).

Own work

Presenting your own work means commenting on what you have learned based on what you have read. This can involve choosing, analysing, summarising and interpreting the ideas of others, and then developing arguments and drawing conclusions about these ideas. It does NOT mean that you must create something that has never been thought of before.

Common knowledge

This refers to facts or ideas that can be found in several places and are likely to be known by a broad range of people. When you are new to a subject it can take a while before you can work out what is common knowledge within that subject area. Common knowledge within a subject area usually refers to the basic principles; these principles will be familiar to people who have studied the subject for a long time. You are not expected to reference common knowledge. If in doubt about whether a piece of information is common knowledge or not, it is safest to acknowledge your source.

Bibliographic details

This refers to the publication information of sources. It includes the author's name, year, title of article or book, journal or book, volume, issue, and page numbers.

Acknowledgement

To acknowledge a source is to give recognition to the author/creator for their ideas or words. This is also referred to as 'giving credit.' In academic work we do this by providing a reference or citation.

Attribution

To attribute a source means that you identify that the work was done by some one else, or was the result of something that someone else did. This is also referred to as 'giving credit' to the author. In academic work we do this by providing a reference or citation.

Paraphrase

To paraphrase is to rewrite completely another author's words or ideas with the intention of presenting the author's ideas and where the precise language used by the author is unimportant and/or perhaps inappropriate for the context. The source must always be referenced. This is sometimes referred to as an indirect quotation.