Evidence, Plagiarism, and Referencing in Academic Writing

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This note on Evidence, Plagiarism, and Referencing is summarised from the University of Sydney's Learning Hub (Academic Language and Learning) material.


When writing university assignments, especially those that require persuasion or critical analysis, it’s important to support points with solid evidence. Different fields rely on different kinds of evidence. For example, in the arts, published works like books or journal articles are usually the main sources, while in the sciences, data from experiments, surveys, or statistics are more commonly used.

Not all evidence carries the same weight. When selecting evidence, consider these factors:

  • Relevance: Does the evidence clearly support the argument or show agreement from experts?
  • Reliability: Is the source reputable? For instance, peer-reviewed journals or respected academic publishers add credibility. Does the author have recognised expertise? Was the data collected using proper research methods?
  • Discipline Standards: Different subjects have different expectations. In fast-changing fields like IT, sources should be recent. But in areas like philosophy, much older texts can still be highly valued.


Understanding Plagiarism

Plagiarism means using someone else’s work or ideas as if they were your own without giving proper credit. This is considered a serious breach of academic integrity, whether intentional or accidental.

Examples of plagiarism include:

  • Copying text, ideas, data, images, or code without citing the source
  • Using another student’s work without acknowledgement
  • Listing a source in the bibliography but failing to reference it properly in the writing
  • Changing the wording of someone else’s ideas without citing them
  • Quoting speeches or lectures without credit
  • Using secondary sources without mentioning the original primary source

Not all plagiarism is intentional. Sometimes it happens due to misunderstandings about referencing rules. Early, unintentional cases might be treated more leniently, with opportunities for learning and minor penalties. Repeated or extensive plagiarism, or deliberate attempts to deceive, will be dealt with more severely.

What Is Not Plagiarism?

  • Common knowledge or phrases that don’t have a unique origin
  • Original findings or ideas developed through own research
  • Combining and synthesising others’ work with proper acknowledgement


Recycling and Resubmitting Work

Reusing parts of previous assignments without permission is generally not allowed. Authors can build upon ideas they’ve developed before, but copying and pasting entire sections is considered academic misconduct. 

source: https://www.curtin.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/11/illustration9_ver2_logo2_A4editedURL.png


Fabrication of Information

Fabrication means making up data, research findings, or citations. This includes inventing sources that don’t exist. Fabrication undermines the learning process and is considered a serious violation.


Collusion

Collusion happens when students or authors work together inappropriately on assignments meant to be completed individually. Discussing ideas and concepts with peers or forming study groups is encouraged, but submitting shared work or answers as theirs is not.


How to Avoid Plagiarism

To avoid plagiarism, ones need to have good writing skills and referencing knowledge. Good academic writing involves:

  • Paraphrasing and summarising correctly
  • Knowing when to quote directly versus when to rewrite ideas in own words
  • Combining sources with own analysis
  • Using proper referencing styles

Quoting means using the exact words from a source with quotation marks or indentations. Paraphrasing means rewriting the idea in own language but still citing the original author. Paraphrasing is usually preferred because it shows deeper understanding and better writing skills.


Referencing

Referencing is the process of crediting the sources of information and ideas used. Different disciplines prefer different citation styles, such as Harvard, APA, or MLA. Always refer to the regulations or requirements and be consistent in using the preferred style.


Source:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/writing/referencing.html

https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/

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