The University of New South Wales

Faculty of the Built Environment

STANDARD METHOD OF REPORT WRITING AND

REFERENCING

FOR
MCPM & MPD STUDENTS

BY

MICHAEL C. BRAND

2008 Edition

Editors:
Dr. George Earl
Dr. Thomas Uher
Dr. Goran Runeson

© Michael C Brand 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 STRUCTURE OF A REPORT ............................................................................. 1

1.1 General introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
1.2 The ‘title page’ ....................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 The ‘table of contents’ ............................................................................................................ 1
1.4 The ‘abstract’ .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 The ‘introduction’................................................................................................................... 2
1.6 The ‘body of the report’ ......................................................................................................... 2
1.6.1 Headings and numbering ........................................................................................... 2
1.6.2 Contents ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.6.3 Language .................................................................................................................... 3
1.7 The ‘conclusion’ ..................................................................................................................... 4
1.8 The ‘recommendation’ ........................................................................................................... 4
1.9 The ‘list of references’............................................................................................................ 4
1.10 The ‘appendix’...................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 REFERENCING OF A REPORT ........................................................................ 5
2.1 Referencing standard .............................................................................................................. 5
2.2 In-text referencing .................................................................................................................. 5
2.3 Figures and tables ................................................................................................................... 7
2.3.1 Figures .............................................................................................................................. 8
2.3.2 Tables ................................................................................................................................ 9
2.3.3 In-text quotations ............................................................................................................ 10
2.4 List of references .................................................................................................................. 11
3.0 UNSW AND PLAGIARISM ............................................................................... 17
LIST OF REFERENCES .......................................................................................... 18
APPENDIX ................................................................................................................. 19

© Michael C Brand 2007 i

1.0 STRUCTURE OF A REPORT

1.1 General structure

In general terms, the structure of a report is as follows:

Title page Front

Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Body to
Conclusion
Recommendation
List of References
Appendix Back

The following is a brief discussion of each element listed above (see Appendix).

1.2 The ‘title page’

The title page of you report must contain the following information:

 Name of the university (UNSW crest should not be included);

 Name of faculty;
 Course code and name;
 Title of report (must be clear and specific);
 Student name;
 Student number;
 Due date.

For the purposes of assignment work at university, the title page need not be
elaborate. Colourful graphics, fancy paper and catchy titles are of no consequence.
Lecturers are only interested in what you have written. Therefore, you are better
advised to spend the time on the substance of the report rather than on its title page.
So long as the title page is neat, clear and contains the information required, it will be
considered quite acceptable.

1.3 The ‘table of contents’

Where a report is eight or more pages in length a Table of Contents (ToC) should be
included. The ToC may be viewed as a map of your report. Rather than the reader
having to sift through the whole report to find the section they are interested in (if
any), the table of contents will direct the reader to the relevant part of the report they
want quickly. It is also useful to the reader to get an idea of what it is you have written
about and idea of your approach to the topic.

It is best to generate the TOC using the ‘style’ and ‘table’ functions, which are
available on many word processing software applications, such as MS Word.

© Michael C Brand 2007 1

1.4 The ‘abstract’
The abstract is most read part of a report. Most readers will read the whole abstract,
but very few readers (other than your Lecturer) will read the full report.

The abstract is a condensed version of the full report. The abstract should be brief
and informative. Tell the reader what the report is about, how it was undertaken, and
what was discovered.

The essential elements of the abstract are:

 Background: a simple opening sentence placing the report in context.

 Aim(s): maximum of two sentences giving the purpose of the report.
 Method(s): maximum of two sentences explaining what was done.
 Result(s): maximum of two sentences indicating the main findings and the most
important conclusion.

Conventionally, the abstract should NOT exceed 130 words for a report of, say, 5,000
words or less, and must be written as one paragraph.

1.5 The ‘introduction’

The introduction must provide enough background information for the reader to fully
appreciate what has been written in the body of the report. Therefore, the purpose of
the introduction is to place the body of the report, including its conclusion, in
sufficient context for the reader to get the greatest appreciation of your work.

Generally speaking, the introduction is broken into the following sub-heading.

 Background to report: description of the current state of affairs and definition of

the problem/situation .
 Objectives: a clear statement of what the author intends to do/achieve in the
report.
 Research method: how and what information was collected including any
limitations of the research material or method of collection and method of
analysis.
 Structure of the report: how the report will be structured (chapter-by-chapter or
section-by-section).

1.6 The ‘body of the report’

The body of the report is not labeled ‘Body of report’. Rather, it is divided into
headings, which are in turn divided into sub-headings and sub-sub-headings.
Consequently, the body of the report is the largest component of the report where all
your information and results are presented and findings discussed in a logical and
coherent manner.

1.6.1 Headings and numbering

The titles of headings should be chosen carefully because they assist the reader
appreciate (at first glance) what it is you will be writing about under each heading of
the report. The purpose of sub-headings and sub-sub-headings is to logically focus
the reader’s thoughts.

© Michael C Brand 2007 2

Numbering of headings is mandatory. Students will adopt the decimal numbering
system for all headings. Examples of numbering a heading, sub-heading and a sub-
sub-heading are as follows:

2.0 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE (HEADING)

2.1 Management and information technology (Sub-heading)
2.1.1 Identifying Opportunities (Sub-sub-headings)
2.1.2…
2.1.3…
2.2 Strategic information systems (Sub-heading)
2.2.1 Major types (Sub-sub-headings)
2.2.2…
2.2.3…

3.0 IDENTIFICATION OF CURRENT INEFFECIENCIES (HEADING)

3.1 Document management (Sub-heading)
3.1.1 Office documents (Sub-sub-headings)
3.1.2…
3.1.3…
3.2 People management (Sub-heading)
3.2.1 The client (Sub-sub-headings)
3.2.2…
3.2.3…

NOTE: do not use headings below sub-sub-heading level.

1.6.2 Contents
The contents of the report must be relevant to your investigation i.e., must present and
describe and all essential information in a balanced and logical style, with a view of
coming to some plausible conclusion(s) and recommendation(s).

You must support your argument(s) and opinions with credible evidence so you must
carefully consider which sources of information that you choose to include in your
research. Recent academic journal and conference papers, as well as recent
textbooks, are the most credible sources of information. Newspaper columns and
magazine articles are the least credible sources of information.

Each Chapter or Section must have a concluding paragraph including a brief

statement of what will follow in the subsequent Chapter or Section.

1.6.3 Language
The most important thing to remember when writing a report is that it must be clear
and logical to the reader; the reader must understand the report.

At university, you should assume that you are writing for a ‘non-technical’ reader
(Beisler et. al. 1993). Therefore, the language must be kept simple. Jargon should be
avoided. If jargon is unavoidable then it must be explained adequately.

© Michael C Brand 2007 3

Ensure that you employ correct punctuation and grammar. This aspect of report
writing is often overlooked but is vitally important in giving the report (and its author)
credibility, and in assisting the reader to understand what it is you are writing.

1.7 The ‘conclusion’

Every report you write at university must include a conclusion. It requires the writer
to draw reasonable and objective conclusion(s) from the findings discussed in the
body of the report. These findings must be related back to the problem/situation
defined in the introduction.

No new materials or ideas must be introduced into the conclusion. Your conclusion
must be based on evidence presented in the body of the report.

The conclusion will serve as a platform for the writer’s recommendation(s) so it must
be adequate to support such recommendations.

Importantly, it should not contain any material that might be considered defamatory
or vexatious.

1.8 The ‘recommendation’

Recommendations must relate to the conclusion. They must be specific and
understandable and reasonable.

Do not list recommendations in point or numbered form. Conventionally, they should

be presented in paragraph form.

1.9 The ‘list of references’

Other people’s work and ideas that you have used in compiling your report must be
acknowledged in the text and in the reference list. Failure to do so will be considered
plagiarism.

The accepted method of referencing to be used by BBCM students at UNSW is

discussed in detail in section 3.0 of this paper.

1.10 The ‘appendix’

The purpose of the appendix is to provide supplementary information to the reader in
order to enhance the readers understanding of issues raised in the body of the report.
If an appendix is not directly related to an issue raised in the report then it serves no
purpose and should be removed.

If an appendix is included then it must be referred to in the body of the report at the
appropriate location in the text. At the end of the sentence were you want to refer to
the appendix you would add: ‘(see Appendix)’. If there is more than one appendix,
you must give each appendix an alphabetical identifier i.e., ‘Appendix A’, ‘Appendix
B’, ‘Appendix C’…etc. You must place the appendices in alphabetical order at the
end of the report so that the reader can easily locate them.

As a general rule, writers should avoid using an appendix. Since appendices are often
incorrectly used by novice report writers, who usually render them nothing more than

© Michael C Brand 2007 4

bulky and useless appendages to a report, they should be viewed as an item of last
resort.

2.0 REFERENCING OF A REPORT

2.1 Referencing standard

BBCM students will adopt and use the following standard methods of referencing,
which are based on the ‘Harvard method’ of referencing.

The footnote/endnote method of referencing will NOT be considered correct

referencing for the purposes of student assessment unless otherwise instructed by your
Lecturer.

2.2 In-text referencing

In-text referencing is mandatory; simply providing a ‘list of references’ without in-
text references is insufficient for the purposes of assessment.

Students will adopt the parenthetical system of in-text referencing. Examples of this
system are given below.
End of sentence
One author

…this has led management in many industries to think about the

operational, tactical and strategic use of information technology
as part of their organisation’s plan for success (Smith 2004).
Author’s Year of
surname publication

Two authors

…management in many industries to think about the operational,

tactical and strategic use of information technology as part of
their organisation’s plan for success (Smith & Jones 2004).
Author’s Year of
surname publication

Three or more authors (first time you refer to their publication)

… in many industries to think about the operational, tactical and

strategic use of information technology as part of their
organisation’s plan for success (Smith, Jones & Harris 2004).
Author’s Year of
surname publication

© Michael C Brand 2007 5

 Three or more authors (second and subsequent times you refer to their publication)

… in many industries to think about the operational, tactical and

strategic use of information technology as part of their
organisation’s plan for success (Smith et al 2004).
First author’s Year of
surname publication

Note: the Latin abbreviation ‘et al’ means ‘and others’

Referring to author(s) directly.

One author

Author’s Year of
surname publication

According to Smith (2004), information technology should play

an important role in the AEC industry due to its…

Two authors

Author’s Year of
surname publication

According to Smith & Jones (2004), information technology

should play an important role in the AEC industry due to its…

Three or more authors (second and subsequent times you refer to their
publication)

First author’s Year of

surname publication

According to Smith et. al. (2004), information technology should

play an important role in the AEC industry due to its…

© Michael C Brand 2007 6

 Referring multiple publications to one idea/issue.
Method 1

… in many industries to think about the operational, tactical and

strategic use of information technology as part of their organisation’s
plan for success (Smith 2004, Thompson 2002 and Simpson 1999).

Note: Put publications in order starting with most recent year of publication.

Method 2

According to Smith (2004), Thompson (2002) and Simpson (1999),

information technology should play an important role in the AEC
industry due to its…

Referring to several publications by same Author(s) in one year.

… to think about the operational, tactical and strategic use of

information technology as part of their organisation’s plan for success
(Smith 2004a). But this position is later contradicted by Smith (2004b)
where he states that…

2.3 Figures and tables

The incorporation of figures and tables into the body of a report is a useful way of
increasing the readers understanding of issues, particularly complex issues.
Hence the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”. However, there are a
few things that must be considered in relation to their use.

 Both must be introduced and clearly explained to the reader in the text;
 Both must be relevant to your discussion;
 Figures must not be too small and must be legible;
 Tables must be as brief and concise as possible; and
 Both must be correctly labeled and referenced.

The following examples briefly demonstrate the correct use and labeling of
figures and tables on the body of a report.

© Michael C Brand 2007 7

2.3.1 Figures
The example below demonstrates how a figure is introduced then explained. Note
the style, font size and position of labeling. Note also the method of in-text
referencing. Figures would include: pie charts, bar charts…etc, graphs,
photographic images, sketches and drawings…etc.

When labeling figures using the decimal method, the first digit signifies the
chapter/section number where the figure appears. The second digit signifies its
position in the chapter/section. Therefore, the figure number ‘3.1’ (as shown
below) means that this figure is in chapter ‘3’ and is the first (‘1’) figure in the
chapter. The second figure in chapter 3 would be labeled ‘Figure 3.2’. The third
figure in chapter 3 would be labeled ‘Figure 3.3’…and so on. (Note that if there
is only one figure in chapter 3 it would be labeled simply ‘Figure 3’ - there is no
need to differentiate it any further).

…the way information technology can help to eliminate the problems

associated with paper-based document use, a simple comparative model
of document transfer is shown (see Figure 3.1 below).

Figure 3.1 Comparative information flow model.

(Duyshart 1997)

The simple model illustrated in Figure 3.1 above shows that by using
various forms of telecommunications…

(Note that the label sits below the Figure.)

© Michael C Brand 2007 8

2.3.2 Tables
The example below demonstrates how a table is introduced then explained. Note
the style, font size and position of labeling. Note also the method of in-text
referencing.

When labeling tables using the decimal method, the first digit signifies the
chapter/section number where the table appears. The second digit signifies its
position in the chapter/section. Therefore, the table number ‘3.1’ (as shown
below) means that this table is in chapter ‘3’ and is the first (‘1’) table in the
chapter. The second table in chapter 3 would be labeled ‘Table 3.2’. The third
figure in chapter 3 would be labeled ‘Table 3.3’…and so on. (Note that if there is
only one table in chapter 3 it would be labeled simply ‘Table 3’ - there is no need
to differentiate it any further).

…some of the major networking technologies appropriate to the AEC

are listed below (see Table 3.1).

Table 3.1 Opportunities for network use in the AEC industry.

(Duyshart 1997)

Network use Description

WWW The World Wide Web consists of a network of
hyperlinked text, graphic and multimedia pages
distributed on servers across the Internet.

Video This is a high level collaborative use of networks,

Conferencing whereby live video, audio, virtual whiteboards and
applications (such as CAD) can be used by a number of
participants. Capabilities exist for this technology to
be used over high-speed leased lines (ISDN) or the
Internet (TCP/IP).

Multimedia This is a composite presentation of information on a

computer using sound, graphics, animation, and text.
Capabilities exist for this technology to be used over
high-speed leased lines (ISDN) or the Internet
(TCP/IP) in the form of 3D and 4D CAD, and virtual
reality (VR) environments.

EDMS Electronic Document Management Systems enable a

group of users on a network to store, distribute and
track the use of a range of document types.

Table 3.1 above shows that there are a variety of opportunities available
to the AEC industry to…

(Note that the label sits above the Table.)

© Michael C Brand 2007 9

2.3.3 In-text quotations

Short quotes (up to approx. 2 lines)

Page number 3 stops (or ellipsis)

Duyshart (1998:46) states, “…unless local AEC organisations improve their

competitiveness through the use of information technology they will be
overpowered by their international rivals”. Therefore…

Note that the in-text referencing for short quotes adds the page number of the
original text where the quote was extracted.

You may use either single (‘…’) or double (“…”) quotation marks for short
quotes, but you must use one consistently throughout the report.

Also note the use of 3 stops (…). This is used to indicate that words are missing
from the quote. Avoid or avoid overuse in a single quote.

Finally never end a paragraph with a quote. You must explain or justify its
inclusion into the report to the reader.

Long quotes (between approx. 3-5 lines)

Page number

Wiseman (1996:64) makes the following observation concerning strategic

information systems:

The primary use of strategic information systems…is to support

Indent or shape the competitive strategy of the enterprise, its plan for Indent
Left Right
Margin Margin
gaining or maintaining competitive advantage or reducing the
advantage of its rivals.

Therefore, it might be said that…

Note that the in-text referencing for long quotes adds the page number of the
original text where the quote was extracted.

Quotation marks are not used for long quotes. Font size of quote remains the
same as body text.

© Michael C Brand 2007 10

Make a small but noticeable indentation to the left and right margins. Must be
equal on both sides.

2.4 List of references

a. Books
One author and single page references

Year of Name of
Author publication Title of book (italic) Edition publisher

Smith, J., (2004) A day in the life of a project manager, 2nd ed., Building
Book Co., Sydney, p. 16.

Place of Page cited

publication

Multiple authors and multiple page references

Smith, J. & Jones, F., (2004) Two days in the life of a project manager, 3rd
ed., Building Book Co, London, pp.11-15, 118-119, 122, 127-9.
Smith, J., Jones F. & Harris R., (2004) Three days in the life of a project
manager, 4th ed., Building Book Co, New York, pp.11-15, 118-119, 122,
127-9.
Compiled by one editor
Freeman, P. (ed.), (2004) Three days in the life of a project manager, 4th
ed., Building Book Co, New York, pp.11-15, 118-119, 122, 127-9.
Multiple books by an author in the same year
Smith, J., (2004a) A day in the life of a project manager, 2nd ed., Building
Book Co, Sydney, p. 16.
Smith, J., (2004b) Project management in the Australian construction
industry, Building Book Co, Sydney, p. 16.

b. Journal, periodical and magazine articles

One author

Year of Title of article Title of journal, periodical

Author publication (in quotation marks) or magazine (in italics)

Smith, J., (2004) ‘Structural failure of tower cranes’, International Journal

of Building and Construction Management, 12(3), pp. 94-106.
Volume(Issue) Pages of full
numbers article

© Michael C Brand 2007 11

 Multiple authors
Smith, J. & Jones, F., (2004) ‘Structural failure of tower cranes’,
International Journal of Building and Construction, 12(3), pp. 94-106.
Smith, J., Jones F. & Harris R., (2004) ‘Structural failure of tower cranes’,
International Journal of Building and Construction, 12(3), pp. 94-106.
Multiple books by an author in the same year
Smith, J., (2004a) ‘Structural failure of tower cranes’, International
Journal of Building and Construction Management, 12(3), pp. 94-106.
Smith, J., (2004b) ‘Management of government projects in Japan’,
Journal of Project Management, 9, pp. 71-9.

c. Conference papers
One author
Year of Title of paper Name of conference
Author publication (in quotation marks) (in italic)

Smith J., (1994) ‘Conflict management in the Australian construction

industry’, in proceedings of International Symposium on Dispute
Resolution, University of Alford, UK, 18-20 December, pp. 34-37.
Place of conference Date(s) of
conference Pages of full
article

d. Government report/publication
One author/issuing body
Year of Title of report
Author/issuing body publication (in italic)

New South Wales Department of Commerce (2004) Security of Payment,

Discussion Paper 12, Sydney, New South Wales Government, p. 37.
Series/category Place of Publisher Page cited
publication

e. Media/press release
One author
Year of Title of release
Author/issuing body release (italic)

CSIRO Building, Construction & Engineering (1999) Australian first in

recycled concrete, 1 June, Victoria.
Date of release Place of release

© Michael C Brand 2007 12

f. Newspaper
One author
Year of Title of Name of newspaper
Author publication article (in italic)

Smith J., (2001) ‘Trade unions turn up the heat’, Sydney Morning Herald,
15 July, p. 4.
Date of Page cited
publication

g. Parliamentary debate
One speaker
Year of House of
Speaker debate Jurisdiction Parliament

Smith J., (2000) New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary

Debates (Hansard), 15(11), 18 March, p. 1255.

Volume(issue) Date of debate Page cited

h. Public address/speech
One speaker
Year of Title of
Speaker speech speech

Smith J., (2002) ‘The relevance of trade unions in the Australian

construction industry’, address, 27 May, National Press Club, Canberra.

Type of speech Date of Venue Place

(address, rally, sermon…etc) speech

i. Private interview
One interviewee
Do not compromise the interviewee; always seek the permission of the
interviewee if you wish to use all or any part of the interview.
Name of Year of Position of
interviewee interview interviewee Topic of interview

Smith J., (2003) CEO Brax Corporation, Private interview, ‘The delivery
of D&C projects’, Sydney, 19 October.
Place of interview Date of interview

© Michael C Brand 2007 13

j. Course Lecture
One Lecturer
Name of Year of Topic of
lecturer lecture lecture

Smith J., (2003) Lecture on the development process and controls in

NSW, BLDG1260 Construction Management 1, 23 May, The University
of New South Wales. Date of lecture Place
Course name and
code

k. Case law
Reported cases

Name of case Name of law report

(in italic) Year Page cited

Pyrenees Shire Council v Day (1998) 192 CLR 30 at 42

Volume of Opening page
law report

AND
Name of case Name of law report
(in italic) Page cited

Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562 at 577

Year & Volume of
law report Opening page

Unreported cases

Name of case
(in italic) Judges

Smith v Smith (unreported, HCA, Mason CJ, Dawson, Toohey,

McHugh JJ, FC 94/054, 18 June 1994)
Date of judgement
Case number

l. Legislation
Bills for an Act

Name of Bill Jurisdiction

Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill (NSW), cl. 2

Clause

© Michael C Brand 2007 14

 Acts

Name of Act
(in italic) Jurisdiction

Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), s. 2

Section

m. Internet
The Internet is a rich source of information if used correctly. Many private and
public institutions including law firms, government departments and researchers
allow access to a variety of publications in electronic form. It is crucial that
students are able to correctly cite electronic publications in addition to being able
to correctly cite the equivalent hard-copy.

Citing the electronic equivalent of a journal article, government publication,

…etc follows that same methods illustrated above. However, further
information is required for the reader to access the electronic document,
including:

1. The precise web address of the document (simply providing the home page
web address is NOT acceptable); and

2. The date that the electronic document was accessed by the author.

The following is an example of a ‘government publication’ that has been

accessed electronically via the web.

Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry, (2002)

Statistical Compendium for the Building and Construction Industry,
Discussion Paper 2, Canberra, Commonwealth of Australia, p. 15.
<www.royalcombci.gov.au/docs/DP%202%20Statisti.pdf > (2 May 2003)
Web address Date of access

n. Private email
Do not compromise the person that has sent the email; always seek the
permission of the sender if you wish to use all or any part of their email.
Name of Year of Position of
sender sender sender Title/subject

Smith J., (2004) CEO of Brax Corporation, Private email, ‘The delivery of
BOOT projects’, 12 July.
Transmission date

© Michael C Brand 2007 15

o. Newsgroup Messages
Students may subscribe to a variety of industry and academic newsgroups.
Information that is posted or broadcast may be a valuable source of
information and could be used as part of a report. Citation of this information
is similar to that of ‘private emails’, except the name of the newsgroup is
added as part of the citation.

Again, do not compromise the person that has posted the information; always
seek the permission of the author if you wish to use all or any part of their
posted material.

Name of
sender Year posted Position of sender Title/subject

Smith J., (2002) Partner at Biggs & Assoc, ‘The future of international
arbitration in Australia’, 12 July, <[email protected]> (19 July).
Date posted/broadcast Name of newsgroup Date accessed

p. CD-ROM
There is a great deal of information that is stored electronically on CD-ROM,
such as: conference proceedings, encyclopedias, the Building Code of
Australia, legal material…etc.

Citing material obtained on CD-ROM follows the same method as for hard-
copy material, except the citation must identify the storage medium. The
following is example of how to an author should cite a conference proceeding
located on CD-ROM.

Smith, J. & Jones, F., (2004) ‘Adjudication determination in Australia’, in

proceedings of the CIB World Building Congress 2004, Toronto, Canada,
2-7 May, CD-ROM, CIB, Paper No 190.
Medium Publisher Identifier

© Michael C Brand 2007 16

3.0 UNSW AND PLAGIARISM

If an author uses the work of another, and intentionally or mistakenly passes off the
work as their own, a charge of plagiarism is justified.

Plagiarism is academic theft, and is considered an academic crime. At UNSW,

plagiarism constitutes academic misconduct. A student found guilty of plagiarism
will, at best, receive a mark of zero for the assessment or course in question. At
worst, a student will face temporary or permanent expulsion from the University. The
following is an extract of the course outlines template provided by the UNSW
Learning and Teaching Unit: http://www.ltu.unsw.edu.au/ref4-2-4_course_outline_template.cfm

Examples of plagiarism include:

direct duplication of the thoughts or work of another, including by copying work, or
knowingly permitting it to be copied. This includes copying material, ideas or concepts
from a book, article, report or other written document (whether published or
unpublished), composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or
software, web site, Internet, other electronic resource, or another person’s assignment
without appropriate acknowledgement;
paraphrasing another person’s work with very minor changes keeping the meaning, form
and/or progression of ideas of the original;
piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole;
presenting an assessment item as independent work when it has been produced in whole
or part in collusion with other people, for example, another student or a tutor; and,
claiming credit for a proportion a work contributed to a group assessment item that is
greater than that actually contributed.†
Submitting an assessment item that has already been submitted for academic credit elsewhere
may also be considered plagiarism.
The inclusion of the thoughts or work of another with attribution appropriate to the academic
discipline does not amount to plagiarism.
Students are reminded of their Rights and Responsibilities in respect of plagiarism, as set out
in the University Undergraduate and Postgraduate Handbooks, and are encouraged to seek
advice from academic staff whenever necessary to ensure they avoid plagiarism in all its
forms.
The Learning Centre website is the central University online resource for staff and student
information on plagiarism and academic honesty. It can be located at:
www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism
The Learning Centre also provides substantial educational written materials, workshops, and
tutorials to aid students, for example, in:
correct referencing practices;
paraphrasing, summarising, essay writing, and time management;
appropriate use of, and attribution for, a range of materials including text, images,
formulae and concepts.
Individual assistance is available on request from The Learning Centre. Students are also
reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one of the identified
causes of plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow sufficient time for
research, drafting, and the proper referencing of sources in preparing all assessment items.
† Adapted with kind permission from the University of Melbourne

© Michael C Brand 2007 17

LIST OF REFERENCES

Beisler F., Scheeres H. & Pinner D., (1993), 2nd ed., Communications Skills,
Longman Cheshire, Melbourne, pp. 162-69.

The University of New South Wales, Plagiarism & Academic Integrity,

<www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism> (3 March 2005).

Runeson G. & Skitmore M., (1999) Writing Research Reports, UNSW Press, Sydney.

Stuhmcke A., (2001) Legal Referencing, 2nd ed., Butterworths., Australia, pp. 8, 20,
37, 63.

Walliaman N., (2001) Your research project – a step-by-step guide for the first-time
researcher, SAGE Publications, London.

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APPENDIX
Structure of a formal report
(Adaptation of Beisler, Scheeres & Pinner 1993)
Item Details

Title page Name of faculty/school

Course code and name

Title of report

By whom (student name and ID)

For whom (including title)

Due date

Table of Contents Accurate, clear, use of indentation

Complete (abstract to appendices)

Generate using word processing software

Abstract Appropriate length (100-130 words for reports under 5000 words)

Single paragraph

Summary of report:

- purpose

- major findings

- conclusions and recommendations

Introduction Necessary background information

Aims: Purpose of report

Objectives: what you intent to achieve
Research methodology

Explanation of arrangement of report

Body Numbered headings/sub-headings/sub-sub-headings.

Consistent spacing between all headings.

New page for the start of each new section.

Introduce and conclude each section.

Body-text must be single-space, 12 point Times New Roman unless otherwise

instructed by lecturer.
Work and ideas of others must be correctly acknowledged in the text.

Tables and figures must be correctly captioned, referenced and explained.

Long and short quotations correctly formatted and acknowledged in the text.

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Item Details

Conclusion Arising out of the Body of the report only (no new information is to be
introduced)
Write in the light of the aims and objectives set out in the Introduction

Must be a substantial basis for recommendation(s)

Recommendations Based on conclusions

Well organised – starting with most important.

Parallel grammatical structure

List of References Sources in the text listed by Harvard system

Alphabetical order

Appendix Label ‘Appendix’. If more than one, then label as: ‘Appendix A’, ‘B’,
‘C’…etc.
Do not add an Appendix unless:
it is referred to in the Body of the report.
serves to some real purpose.
Avoid.

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