Academics place great importance on the development of ideas.
Therefore, people must be given due credit for these ideas. Taking
an idea from any source without properly acknowledging it is plagiarism.
It is the use of someone else's work without proper recognition.
Plagiarism can involve the use of someone else's argument, even
if the exact words are not used. It can be the use of a quote without
referencing it correctly. It can also mean the subtle changing of
another author's sentences in order to present them as your own.
Alternatively, plagiarism could involve copying another's work.
All of these can be avoided with correct referencing procedures.
Most often plagiarism is the result of poor study and note-taking
methods. Remember to write down the exact references for all the
material that you use as you take your notes.
Your Teacher/Facilitator will advise you of the many ways to avoid
plagiarism. Remember that plagiarism is punishable by failure.
Procedures in cases of alleged academic misconduct are as follows:
Action shall be taken by the facilitator responsible for supervising
the activity in which the alleged misconduct occurred.
The facilitator will take prompt action to prevent the continuance
of the suspected academic misconduct.
If the alleged misconduct occurs during examination, the
examining facilitator shall, as soon as possible, provide a
written report to the Head of Department.
The Head of Department shall take immediate steps to consult
with the examining facilitator to make a decision concerning
any further action to be taken.
If the Head of Department considers it necessary to proceed
with the matter, the examining facilitator shall be instructed
to inform the student, at the conclusion of the examination
or as soon as possible thereafter, that an allegation of academic
misconduct has been made. The examining facilitator will then
note on the subject listing sheet that the student's examination
paper has been sent to the Principal because of alleged academic
misconduct.
A zero mark may be awarded for any form of dishonesty or
cheating by a student or any attempt by a student to submit
work that is not their own at a formal examination. A zero mark
in such cases will be regarded as a case of academic misconduct.
Each zero mark will apply to a single period of assessment only,
irrespective of the duration of that assessment.
