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Preparing for 3rd Level

Information and Digital Literacy for 2nd level students preparing to enter 3rd level

So Whats the big deal...?

Why does academic integrity matter? Think about the following scenarios... (adapted from http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/academic_integrity/)


  • You are injured playing football and the nurse who treats you bought her essays instead of writing them.
  • She doesn’t know how to keep up with the latest research because she never learnt how to read the journals so she recommends old, outdated treatments.

  • You are an engineer whose best friend was always better at doing assignments so you relied on her throughout college to help you.
  • Now, two years out of college, you have been put in charge of a major project that could result in a big promotion.
  • But you don’t know how to go about getting it done. You know how to memorise for exams but you don’t know how to solve problems.

What is a reference list?

  • Referencing is acknowledging other people's work
  • Indicating where exactly all the information you are referring to is coming from

Why should I reference?

  • It avoids charges of plagiarism
  • Easy to trace
  • Shows how much research you have done
  • Helps to back up your arguments