Introduction
Audio-visual version
Text version
Welcome to the Better Referencing Program.
Through this online program, you will have the opportunity to learn why, when and how to confidently reference – effectively and correctly.
Before examining Academic Referencing, Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarising, and Synthesising, it is important to present you with an overview to understand what Academic Integrity is.
Notice that the word ‘Plagiarism’ hasn’t been mentioned – that’s intentional. Have you heard about Plagiarism? It’s most likely that you have.
You will have the opportunity through this program to recognise what plagiarism looks like. However, rather than focusing on plagiarism, you will have the opportunity to know the main purpose of referencing and to learn to reference well.
New Skills
Try to picture the following in your mind.
Can you picture your first driving lesson?
Hopefully the driving instructor didn’t scare you by telling you about all the accidents you might have when behind the wheel.
Instead, a good driving instructor would help you to relax, start the car, put it in gear, gently accelerate, and start moving forward.
Accidents can happen, but there’ll be less chance when you’ve learnt to apply your new found skills.
This is how the Program will take you on the journey – learn the skills of referencing, practise applying them, and become confident and competent in Academic Integrity.
This program will look at:
- Understanding
What is Academic Integrity - Note-making
Part of the process from original text to your assignment - Quoting
Copying the exact words from the source into your assignment - Paraphrasing
Part of the process from your notes to your assignment - Synthesising
Part of the process of combining paraphrases to develop your argument or create a new idea - Referencing
Part of academic discourse from beginning to end – not just the mechanics
Please enjoy this Curtin University resource – it will provide you with a set of necessary skills to be a successful academic student. And please do give us your feedback by completing the survey at the end of the program.
PDF version
Follow the link to view the ‘Introduction’ pdf version.
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