Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Plagiarism means knowingly presenting the work or property of another person as if it were one’s own without appropriate acknowledgment or referencing.
It includes:
- word for word copying of sentences or paragraphs from one or more sources which are the work or data of other persons (including books, articles, theses, unpublished works, working papers, seminar and conference papers, internal reports, lecture notes, tapes or works of creative art);
- closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs or themes;
- using another person’s ideas, work or research data without due acknowledgment;
- submitting work which has been produced by someone else on the student’s behalf as if it were the work of the student; copying or submitting computer files in whole or in part without indicating their origin;
- in the case of collaborative projects, falsely representing the individual contributions of the collaborating students where individual contributions are to be identified;
- copying or submitting computer files in whole or in part without indicating their origin.
The University regards any acts of cheating or dishonesty by way of plagiarism, very seriously. There are strong penalties for breaches (including annulment of results or termination/expulsion from the University).
Definition of Plagiarism
Academic honesty is crucial to a student's credibility and self esteem, and ultimately reflects the values and morals of the University as a whole. A student may work together with one or a group of students discussing assignment content, identifying relevant references, and debating issues relevant to the subject. Academic investigation is not limited to the views and opinions of one individual, but is built by forming opinion based on past and present work in the field. It is legitimate and appropriate to synthesise the work of others, provided that such work is clearly and accurately referenced.
Plagiarism occurs when the work of another person, or persons, is used and presented as ones own, unless the source of each quotation or piece of borrowed material is acknowledged with an appropriate citation.
Encouraging or assisting another person to commit plagiarism is a form of improper collusion and may attract the same penalties.
Penalties
The University regards very seriously any acts of cheating, or dishonesty by way of plagiarism. Penalties for such incidences have been defined within the University's Acts and Statutes. There is a range of penalties which may be imposed on a student for academic dishonesty, i.e. plagiarism. Depending upon the severity of the act of plagiarism, or the number of other like offences which have previously occurred, a student may have any one or a combination of the following penalties imposed against her/him by the University:
- cancellation or deprivation of credit for any examination or other academic work, which will entail an ANN* grade being assigned to a students academic record;
- suspension of all or any of a student's rights and privileges including,suspension from attending lectures, seminars, tutorials or other classes;
- suspension from the use of or exclusion from laboratories or other facilities or any part of such facilities;
- suspension from attendance at or exclusion from any examination;
- exclusion from the University or any part of the University for any specified period, not exceeding the remainder of the calendar year;
- refusal for re-enrolment as a student;
- a fine, up to the maximum approved by Council;
- expulsion from the University.
[Curtin University of Technology Act, 1966 - Statute 10 Student Disciplinary Statute - Sections 2 and 4]
Staff are required to make students aware of the University's expectations with respect to academic honesty. All Unit Outlines are required to contain reference to the University Statement on Plagiarism, and additionally the Statement will be published annually in the Curtin Handbook and Calendar . It is incumbent upon a staff member to report incidences of plagiarism immediately upon discovery to facilitate appropriate action being taken.
* ANN - result annulled due to misconduct
