Global Utilities

La Trobe University
Academic Language and Learning

Academic Integrity and avoiding plagiarism

Promoting academic honesty

Academic integrity means being honest in academic work and taking responsibility for learning the conventions of scholarship.

In taking an academic integrity approach, La Trobe promotes academic honesty and teaches the conventions of scholarship. Scholarship involves research which builds on the work of others and requires appropriate acknowledgment of this work.

 

 

Academic honesty is a fundamental principle in teaching, learning, research and scholarship. The University requires its academic staff and students to observe the highest ethical standards in all aspects of academic work and it demonstrates its commitment to these values by awarding due credit for honestly conducted scholarly work, and by penalising academic misconduct and all forms of cheating.

Academic Integrity Procedures (2010, p. 1 of 6)

Related topics

  • The Academic Integrity Module - AIM
    The University is keen that students take the opportunity to be informed about La Trobe University's standards and rules. The AIM teaches students about La Trobe's values and its academic integrity guidelines to minimise the chances of academic misconduct.

    All commencing undergraduate students are expected to complete AIM as part of their course requirements and the result will be recorded on your Academic Record.  Further information is provided in the
    ‘Information Sheet for Students’     (PDF 44KB).

    This short video explains how the AIM works and will show you what to expect.

  • What is academic integrity?
    Read some real life examples of academic misconduct.
  • Acknowledgment terms and definitions(DOC 42 KB)
  • Your responsibilities
    The La Trobe University Policy: Academic Integrity Procedures lists student responsibilities
  • Penalties
    A list of penalties that can be applied to academic misconduct
  • Plagiarism
    What is plagiarism?
  • Academic Integrity Policies
    Here you will find

    Academic Integrity Procedures
    Examples of Penalties for Academic Misconduct
    Plagiarism Guidelines

  • Library Skills and Information Literacy
    These guides teach you how to research and how to use information without plagiarising.
    Here you can access the Academic Referencing Module and the Academic Referencing Tool
  • Referencing and avoiding plagiarism
    Activities which students can use or can be adapted by lecturers for teaching.
  • Where to get help
    What if you receive a letter telling you to go before an Academic Misconduct Committee because of alleged misconduct?
    You could make an appointment to speak to your lecturer so that he/she can explain the issue. If Turnitin was used you can ask your lecturer to explain the report.
    The La Trobe University Student Union Student Advocacy service provides free, confidential and independent support to assist students prepare written submissions responding to allegations of academic misconduct. Student Advocates can also attend hearings with students. Contact ltsu_advocacy@latrobe.edu.au
    International students It is important to contact one of the International Student Advisers. Call 9479 1199.
    The Student Complaints Office works with Student Complaints Liaison Officers in each Faculty to deal with student grievances.
    The Ombudsman If you have asked for help from the contacts listed above and the problem is still not resolved you can call on the La Trobe University Ombudsman. Call 9479 1897.
  • LMS notice
    Student Responsibility for Academic Integrity
    By submitting any piece of work you agree that:
    1. the work is your own work or the work of the group;
    2. except where clearly stated, the  material has not been used elsewhere or presented for examination in any other course or subject at this or any other institution;
    3. you have read and agreed to be bound by the Statutes, Regulations and Policies of the University relating to Academic Misconduct available at www.latrobe.edu.au/learning/integrity.html ; and
    4. you may be subject to student discipline processes in the event of an act of academic misconduct by you including an act of plagiarism or cheating.


    Plagiarism means the reproduction of someone else's words, ideas or findings and presenting them as your own ideas without proper acknowledgement and includes:

    • direct copying or paraphrasing from someone else's published work (either electronic or hard copy) without acknowledging the source;
    • using facts, information and ideas derived from a source without acknowledgment;
    • producing assignments (required to be independent) in collaboration with and/or using the work of other people; and
    • assisting another person to commit an act of plagiarism.

    You further grant to the University or any third party authorised by the University (www.latrobe.edu.au/text-match) the right to reproduce and/or communicate (make available online or electronically transmit) the work you have submitted for the purpose of detecting plagiarism.
  • Academic Integrity Student Declaration Form: An assignment cover sheet for submitting hard copies
    A statement form for use in both individual and group assignments (PDF 37KB)

    • Research Ethics and Integrity Unit
    Information on the conduct of research involving humans, animals and genetically modified organisms.