BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering

ID11012– Technical Writing

Citing, Referencing and Plaigarism

<copyright notice – copyrighted to LNBTI>

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Presented by: Ms. Adithya Perera

Contributors:
Lecturer 1
Lecturer 2
Lecturer 5

Reviewed by: -

Technical Writing 2
RESOURCES

References available for the course.

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=summa
rising+a+text&btnG=

Online resources for the section

• Kieran Morgan, Technical Writing process,Better On Paper Publications,
2015
• Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, Walter E. Oliu, Handbook of
Technical Writing, Eleventh edition ,Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015
• Alan S. Pringle , Sarah S. O'Keefe,Technical Writing 101: A Real-World
Guide to Planning and Writing Technical Documentation, 3rd
Edition,Scriptorium Publishing Services, 2011

Technical Writing 3
AGENDA

1. What is citing?
2. What is referencing?
3. What is plagiarism?
4. How to avoid plagiarism
5. Activity

Technical Writing 4
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)

By the end of this section, students should be able to:

• ILO1: Identify features of academic language related to
research papers and project presentations/viva voce

Technical Writing 5
Citing, Referencing and
Plagiarism

Technical Writing 6
What is meant by citing and referencing?​

• Process how you acknowledge

• give credit to the sources or material

Ex: books, journal articles, websites, data from

consortia

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Why citing and referencing are important?

• It is unethical to not cite or give references

• Failing to cite violates the rights of the person who originated the idea
• The reader will gain a better understanding of the subject
• The reader has access to references for further research
• Some research publications are typically short, reference citations give the
required support for other supporting arguments
• It is critical to acknowledge and honor people in the scientific community
whose previous work has resulted in gradual improvement

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• Writer Gains more knowledge
• Makes you a well-read individual
• build your credibility as a scientist, scholar or an academic
• A good bibliography helps researchers to establish credibility among peers
in their field
• It’s crucial because you never want to be suspected or even found
guilty of plagiarism

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What is plagiarism?
• “Presenting work or ideas from another source as your own, with or
without consent of the original author, by incorporating it into your
work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished
material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is
covered under this definition, as is the use of material generated
wholly or in part through use of artificial intelligence (save when use
of AI for assessment has received prior authorization e.g. as a
reasonable adjustment for a student’s disability). Plagiarism can
also include re-using your own work without citation. Under the
regulations for examinations, intentional or reckless plagiarism is a
disciplinary offence.”
University of Oxford, UK [plagiarism definition]
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Why should plagiarism avoid?
• Breach of academic integrity (considered as an untrustworthy, unethical person)
• It affects other authors, involved individuals of the research as well
• Keep in mind - You are responsible for yourself and others
• Paves way for lose, sloppy Research, education and ethics without any standard
• Plagiarism is unethical and can have serious consequences for your future career
• Legal consequences
• You can be sued on the grounds of copy-right infringement
• May be subjected to fines

• Undermines the standards of your institution and of the degrees it issues

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• How students commit plagiarism
• Getting someone else to write their thesis or report
• Using material in reports or thesis without citing, referencing

• Consequences
• Getting a failed (F) grade for assignments
• Entire semester/ term fail
• Must face committee disciplinary hearings
Ex: investigation
• Getting expelled from the University or Institution

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• Why?
• We hold important, responsible positions and must represent honesty and
integrity therefore dire consequences follow
• Journals will refuse to accept your articles for publication
• No one will accept you for a responsible position again
• Investors will ignore your proposals, fund requests and grant applications
• Loosing the possibility of getting funding or approval is the end of their
career for an academic
• You will face disrespect and embarrassment among your peers
• You will lose trust in the work environment (students will lose trust in the
professor)
• Shunned in the scientific and academic community

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How to avoid plagiarism?

• Be HONEST and have standards for yourself !

• Cite, reference and give credit where it is due
• Learn to think on your own (your own original ideas) and also develop
proper, sound writing skills and confidence in your writing
• Be confident, learned, respectable as a student (later on a professional)
who can instigate, implement and proceed with your independent ideas
• Be conscious about the fact that we are living in a society where you are
responsible for yourself and others
• [Case of plagiarism and research misconduct – STAP cell scandal in 2015]

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Activity 1
Refer the different styles of citing and referencing

Examples should be shown using this

Data Structure & Algorithms | Graphs Theory | Introduction to Graphs 15

Summary

By now you should be able to,

ILO1: Identify features of academic language related to research papers and

project presentations/viva voce

Data Structure & Algorithms | Graphs Theory | Introduction to Graphs 16