Plagiarism is using another persons’ work without acknowledgement. This can be direct copying or paraphrasing of text, ideas, findings, or images.
Accused of plagiarism?
Plagiarism can have very serious consequences. If you are found guilty of plagiarism you may be
- required to undertake additional assessment
- given a mark of zero for the piece of assessment
- given a fail grade for the subject
- referred to the Discipline Committee under statute 13 for academic misconduct which may result in termination of enrolment and expulsion from University.
The University’s website on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism contains important information and useful links. University policy on plagiarism can be found at: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/plagiarism/policy.html
Come and see an advisor at the Student Union Advisory Service for independent advice and support if you have been accused of plagiarism.
Referencing
If you are unsure how or when to reference your work, the Language and Learning Skills Unit runs workshops and tutorials on essay writing, including how to reference correctly. Check out their website for further details: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/plagiarism/policy.html
There are many different styles of referencing and acknowledging sources commonly used within the University. Check out the following website for excellent detailed descriptions and examples of each style: www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/cite/index.html
Also check with your faculty or department for workshops on avoiding plagiarism and more specific details about the style of referencing that is acceptable within the department.
A useful guide to avoiding plagiarism has been produced by Purdue University in the United States: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html
