DVA1502 ASSIGNMENT 6 SEMESTER 2 2025 (Answer Guide) 738113 – Due 16 September 2025

DVA1502 ASSIGNMENT 6 SEMESTER 2 2025 (Answer Guide) 738113 – Due 16 September 2025 6.1 Academic Integrity, Paraphrasing and Referencing 6.1.1 Define plagiarism (4 marks) Plagiarism refers to the use of another person’s words, ideas, or intellectual outputs without appropriate acknowledgment. It includes directly copying text, using paraphrased material without citation, reusing one’s own previous work without permission (self-plagiarism), and presenting collaborative work as individual effort (UNISA, 2005). In academic contexts, plagiarism is considered a serious breach of ethical standards because it constitutes intellectual theft and undermines the credibility of scholarship. 6.1.2 Why plagiarism should be avoided (4 marks) Plagiarism should be avoided because it erodes academic integrity and devalues qualifications. At a personal level, students risk disciplinary action, which may include reduced marks, suspension, or expulsion (UNISA, 2005). More broadly, plagiarism hinders genuine learning, as students bypass the process of engaging critically with sources. It also damages the reputation of academic institutions and undermines public trust in higher education (Carroll, 2015). By avoiding plagiarism, students demonstrate originality, respect for intellectual property, and accountability in knowledge production. 6.1.3 Measures to avoid plagiarism (4 marks) Several practical measures can help students avoid plagiarism. First, effective time management reduces the temptation to copy material under deadline pressure. Second, students should take careful notes that clearly distinguish between their own ideas and information from sources. Third, when directly quoting, they must use quotation marks and cite the author. Fourth, paraphrasing should be accompanied by proper acknowledgment of the source. Fifth, students should use the prescribed referencing style consistently across all assignments. Finally, tools such as Turnitin can be used to check originality before submission (UNISA, 2024). These measures support ethical writing and compliance with in