Plagiarism Guide - Swinburne University of Technology

Avoiding plagiarism and cheatingA guide for students at Swinburne University of TechnologyThis guide explains what is meant by plagiarism at Swinburne University of Technology(Higher Education). It also provides guidance on how to avoid plagiarism and cheatingwhen undertaking assessment tasks.The information, suggestions and advice that follow will be useful to all students enrolledin university courses at Swinburne. The contents of this guide may be especially useful ifyou are an international student and unfamiliar with Australian university educationassessment practices.1. What is plagiarism?Put simply, plagiarism is cheating.In essence, plagiarism is ‘stealing’ intellectual material. It can take many forms.Three of these forms are discussed in this guide. Before these three types of plagiarismare discussed in detail, it will be helpful to clarify some definitions.1.1 Helpful definitions within the academic contextThe words discussed below have particular meanings in an academic context, that isthey have a particular meaning when used in relation to university study generally, andplagiarism in particular. All the words below are used more loosely in common speech,where they have different meanings to the ones here. Here are the meanings of thesix most important terms:Quote: To quote is to reproduce, in your own written work, the precise words thatsomeone else has written or spoken. A quotation (or ‘quote’) is the reproduction oforiginal material within your work. (See section 2.4.1 for more detail about how toquote properly).Paraphrase: To paraphrase means to re-phrase or rewrite, in your own words, the wordsor ideas of others within your own written work. A paraphrase is the rephrased orrewritten material within your own work. (See section 2.4.2 for more detail about howto paraphrase properly).A guide for students at Swinburne University of Technology ■ 5