How to avoid plagiarism

According to the La Trobe University Academic Misconduct Policy academic honesty is important because:

	a)	The university must pay money to the government if students are dishonest
	b)	Students must sit a test before they graduate to show they have been honest in their research
	c)	It is the foundation of teaching, learning and research
Correct. This quote is taken from the Academic Misconduct Policy; 'La Trobe University regards academic honesty as the foundation of teaching, learning and research. It requires its academic staff and student to observe the highest ethical standards in all aspects of academic work'.Incorrect. 'La Trobe University regards academic honesty as the foundation of teaching, learning and research. It requires its academic staff and student to observe the highest ethical standards in all aspects of academic work' (Academic Misconduct Policy).Your answer has been saved.

Plagiarism only refers to copying from a book.

	a)	True
	b)	False
Correct. You can plagiarise by copying from a range of sources, for example the internet or another student's work. See the 'Collaboration on tasks' and 'Using materials from the Internet' pages.Incorrect. You can plagiarise by copying from a range of sources, for example the internet or another student's work. See the 'Collaboration on tasks' and 'Using materials from the Internet' pages.Your answer has been saved.

It is acceptable to copy work from another student if that student says it is OK?

	a)	True
	b)	False
Correct. This is plagiarism because it is not your work; you would be getting credit for somebody else's work. See the 'Collaboration on tasks' page for more information.Incorrect. This is plagiarism because it is not your work; you would be getting credit for somebody else's work. See the 'Collaboration on tasks' page for more information.Your answer has been saved.

When you put somebody else's idea into your own words it isn't quoting because you haven't directly quoted the original words.

	a)	True
	b)	False
Correct. Rewriting someone else's idea is paraphrasing or summarising which is how you make an indirect quote. See the 'Using other people's words and ideas - quoting' page for more information.Incorrect. Rewriting someone else's idea is paraphrasing or summarising which is how you make an indirect quote. See the 'Using other people's words and ideas - quoting' page for more information.Your answer has been saved.

If your lecturer doesn't give you a referencing guide it means you don't need to put references in your writing.

	a)	True
	b)	False
Correct. You need to use references. You can find referencing and style guides on the La Trobe Library site at www.latrobe.edu.au/library. Also see the 'Referencing' page for more information.Incorrect. You need to use references. You can find referencing and style guides on the La Trobe Library site at www.latrobe.edu.au/library. Also see the 'Referencing' page for more information.Your answer has been saved.

It is important to use the right style guide for each subject.

	a)	True
	b)	False
Correct. There are many style guides, and you need to use the right one for each subject. See the 'Referencing' page for more information.Incorrect. There are many style guides, and you need to use the right one for each subject. See the 'Referencing' page for more information.Your answer has been saved.

It's not a good idea to put in references as you write because it can slow down your writing.

	a)	True
	b)	False
Correct. It is important to put in references as you write, because it takes longer to find references later. Also if you leave it to later it's easy to forget. See the 'Referencing' page for more information.Incorrect. It is important to put in references as you write, because it takes longer to find references later. Also if you leave it to later it's easy to forget. See the 'Referencing' page for more information.Your answer has been saved.

La Trobe uses software to find out if students' work has been copied.

	a)	True
	b)	False
Correct. La Trobe uses Turnitin software to match text. See the 'Text matching software' page for more information.Incorrect. La Trobe uses Turnitin software to match text. See the 'Text matching software' page for more information.Your answer has been saved.