Being a student gives you the chance to be part of a wider academic community, using other people's research to support your own ideas. You will often be expected to develop an argument where you will take a position or make a central claim and then support this with a clear narrative and supporting evidence including citations and references. As part of this community of academics and students, it is important to show academic integrity in your work.
Indigenous and Community Knowledge & Academic Integrity
Indigenous and Community Knowledge & Academic Integrity
Indigenous peoples respect the knowledge that is being caretaken as it flows forward through time, the individuals who do the work of carrying this knowledge, and those who are new learners of the knowledge, who will someday take their place
(Poitras, Pratt & Gladue, 2022, p.).
The quote above demonstrates that respect for knowledge and integrity is also important in the broader community. To show our respect for Indigenous and community knowledge it is important to acknowledge the stories and knowledge passed down through the ages, even if they cannot be attributed to one individual or are not written down.
Decolonising academia (and society at large) and/or the Indigenisation of learning is ongoing important work, which, to fully explore is beyond the scope of this this course. We do, however, strongly encourage you to find out more and make efforts to decolonise your own work wherever possible.
To find out more, click here.
Select each image in the infographic below to learn how building on other people's work and citing others can help you demonstrate academic integrity.
Continue on to learn how building on other people's work and citing others can help you demonstrate academic integrity.
Accuracy
Providing references for ideas shows you are accurate. It helps others locate and understand concepts and develop their own perspectives on the original work. You can also demonstrate accuracy by recording the details of each source and identifying direct quotes in your notes, so you do not unintentionally copy them as your own.
Understanding
Conducting a thorough review, building on others' ideas, and acknowledging sources shows that you have a good knowledge of the area, understand important concepts and can explain where your work 'fits in'. This means that others will respect your work.
Argument
Building on the work of others and acknowledging sources appropriately strengthens your argument or provides evidence for alternative perspectives. It also improves your communication skills.
Respect
Citing sources shows respect for authors, researchers and communities. Keeping accurate records helps to avoid unintentional plagiarism or copyright breaches.
-
Accuracy
Providing references for ideas shows you are accurate. It helps others locate and understand concepts and develop their own perspectives on the original work. You can also demonstrate accuracy by recording the details of each source and identifying direct quotes in your notes, so you don't unintentionally copy them as your own.
-
Understanding
Conducting a thorough review, building on others' ideas, and acknowledging sources shows that you have a good knowledge of the area, understand important concepts and can explain where your work 'fits in'. This means that others will respect your work.
-
Argument
Building on the work of others and acknowledging sources appropriately strengthens your argument or provides evidence for alternative perspectives. It also improves your communication skills.
-
Respect
Citing sources shows respect for authors, researchers and communities. Keeping accurate records helps to avoid unintentional plagiarism or copyright breaches.
At university, you are expected to build on others' work even when you develop your 'own ideas' or put ideas into 'your own words'. This shows that you understand the task, have a strong argument and clear writing style, and that you respect others' work as well as your own. This approach is also vital in professional contexts as copyright breaches can result in legal action, for example.
Good referencing or acknowledgments are a fundamental element of academic integrity and also of being a good member of the academic community at large – no matter your subject. Whether you're writing an essay, building a project or conducting laboratory-work, we all need to acknowledge the sources from which we have built upon.
Architecture
When I design a building, I always build on a long history of design, but I explain my influences and sources.
Science
I use previously published research to inform my experimental hypothesis and methods and I describe these in my scientific reports.
Humanities
I make use of published research to help me explain my 'arguments'. Arguments are key ideas supported through evidence. I usually also look at counter-evidence before coming to a conclusion. I quote other authors' words or synthesise their ideas in support of my 'argument'.
Law/Justice
I analyse the problem, identify key facts and determine the legal issues. Then, I use primary legal sources such as cases and legislation to apply to the problem and develop a legal argument. I also use secondary sources such as textbooks, legal dictionaries and journal articles to support my argument.
The options in the menu below represent three conversations between two students. In the first they discuss an essay assignment, in the second they discuss a media-based assignment and in the third a design assignment. Select the option closest to your area of study and proceed through the conversation.
Continue on through the screens to see three conversations between two students. In the first they discuss an essay assignment, in the second they discuss a media-based assignment and in the third a design assignment.
Essay
EssayMedia-based assignment
Media-based assignmentCreative design project
Creative design project
Jen: This essay sounds great. Are they all your own ideas?
Nuno: Well, I used a few ideas I found in journal articles. I thought that would make my argument a bit more convincing.
Jen: But there aren't any references in your essay. I don't know which ideas are yours and which ones belong to other writers. This essay is really long – how did you read so much?
Nuno: I didn't. I just read the most relevant sections from the articles I found and took notes from those.
Jen: That's a great idea. Wait a minute, though. I can't see a reference list here. Which journal articles did you use?
Nuno: Um... I can't remember! I didn't write the details in my notes!
Jen: You can't submit your essay like that. Can you find the articles again if we look at your search record?
Nuno: I guess so...
Jen: And do you remember that study guide Dr Wilson told us about? Let's have a look and see if we can work out how to write the references in your essay and do a reference list.
Jen: Thanks for showing me your short film – you've really captured the horror movie conventions perfectly. Are they all your own ideas?
Nuno: Well, I've been watching loads of horror films – I found some really old ones online, as well as seeing a few newer ones. I'm really happy with the result.
Jen: But you don't acknowledge the other films. I don't know which ideas are yours and which ones belong to the other directors.... Did you take any notes?
Nuno: I didn't usually. After I watched one film some options for similar films popped up, and I just clicked on them... I got so wrapped up in my research, I forgot to note down the details.
Jen: You can't submit your assignment like that – you need to give credit to other people's work. Do you think you can find the videos again if we look at your internet history?
Nuno: I guess so...
Jen: Do you remember that study guide Dr Wilson told us about? Let's have a look and see if we can work out how to acknowledge the work of other directors.
Jen: Thanks for showing me your designs and your presentation – your designs look like something you would see at New York fashion week. Are they all your own ideas?
Nuno: Well, I was watching a documentary about Brazilian Indigenous artists and the stories that inspired their work. I kind of combined some of those ideas!
Jen: But you don't acknowledge where you got the ideas or the community knowledge you are drawing on. I don't know which ideas are yours and which ones belong to the artists and their communities?
Nuno: I didn't think of that, the work just looked great to me and anyway, some of the artists are copying what their ancestors did.
Jen: You can't submit your assignment like that – you need to give credit for other people's work and the histories and culture it draws upon. Do you think you can find the documentary again?
Nuno: I guess so. Then I can acknowledge the individual artists and the stories they draw on and talk about my inspiration and own ideas...
Essay
Jen: This essay sounds great. Are they all your own ideas?
Nuno: Well, I used a few ideas I found in journal articles. I thought that would make my argument a bit more convincing.
Jen: But there aren't any references in your essay. I don't know which ideas are yours and which ones belong to other writers. This essay is really long – how did you read so much?
Nuno: I didn't. I just read the most relevant sections from the articles I found and took notes from those.
Jen: That's a great idea. Wait a minute, though. I can't see a reference list here. Which journal articles did you use?
Nuno: Um... I can't remember! I didn't write the details in my notes!
Jen: You can't submit your essay like that. Can you find the articles again if we look at your search record?
Nuno: I guess so...
Jen: And do you remember that study guide Dr Wilson told us about? Let's have a look and see if we can work out how to write the references in your essay and do a reference list.
Media-based assignment
Jen: Thanks for showing me your short film – you've really captured the horror movie conventions perfectly. Are they all your own ideas?
Nuno: Well, I've been watching loads of horror films – I found some really old ones online, as well as seeing a few newer ones. I'm really happy with the result.
Jen: But you don't acknowledge the other films. I don't know which ideas are yours and which ones belong to the other directors.... Did you take any notes?
Nuno: I didn't usually. After I watched one film some options for similar films popped up, and I just clicked on them... I got so wrapped up in my research, I forgot to note down the details.
Jen: You can't submit your assignment like that – you need to give credit to other people's work. Do you think you can find the videos again if we look at your internet history?
Nuno: I guess so...
Jen: Do you remember that study guide Dr Wilson told us about? Let's have a look and see if we can work out how to acknowledge the work of other directors.
Creative design project
Jen: Thanks for showing me your designs and your presentation – your designs look like something you would see at New York fashion week. Are they all your own ideas?
Nuno: Well, I was watching a documentary about Brazilian Indigenous artists and the stories that inspired their work. I kind of combined some of those ideas!
Jen: But you don't acknowledge where you got the ideas or the community knowledge you are drawing on. I don't know which ideas are yours and which ones belong to the artists and their communities?
Nuno: I didn't think of that, the work just looked great to me and anyway, some of the artists are copying what their ancestors did.
Jen: You can't submit your assignment like that – you need to give credit for other people's work and the histories and culture it draws upon. Do you think you can find the documentary again?
Nuno: I guess so. Then I can acknowledge the individual artists and the stories they draw on and talk about my inspiration and own ideas...
Efficient researching, good notemaking, record keeping, and careful referencing are key factors in maintaining academic integrity. These practices and skills make you part of a worldwide academic community. They also demonstrate that you are an ethical and respectful member of the broader community. You will learn more about how to demonstrate these skills as you progress though the module.
Each university or institution will have its own academic integrity guidelines. Find out what these are at your institution.