Overview
Not everything happens according to plan. Sometimes crises occur with little or no warning, while other times issues build over time. How you manage the crisis as a leader can make or break an organisation. This unit will examine crisis management from a communications perspective. Communicating during and after a crisis is a complex strategy of message development and targeted delivery. You will examine the crisis lifecycle and the role of leadership during a crisis. You will develop messages for stakeholders as well as tools for managing intense media scrutiny. This unit is ideal for decision-makers in organisations or those who may be on the front line when a crisis occurs.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Admission to a postgraduate course or completion of 48 credit points in an undergraduate course.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Evaluation Survey.
Students valued the practical crisis communication plan but suggested a broader strategic perspective would deepen understanding.
Provide supplementary resources (e.g., templates, examples of mature strategies) and integrate strategy discussions into online classes to enhance understanding without adding extra assessment tasks.
Feedback from Student Evaluation Survey.
Students praised the lecturer’s support, flexibility, and real-world expertise, noting these as key strengths of the unit.
Maintain student-focused delivery and continue incorporating real-world examples and flexible support to sustain high engagement.
Feedback from Student Evaluation Survey.
While students found the unit engaging and relevant, some concerns persisted around assessment feedback and clarity, likely influenced by varied disciplinary expectations.
Refine assessment rubrics and instructions to better accommodate diverse disciplinary perspectives and ensure expectations are communicated clearly.
- Recognise different types of crises and how they can impact an organisation
- Critically evaluate potential risks to leadership throughout the crisis lifecycle
- Analyse the leadership role during and after a crisis
- Apply crisis communication techniques to mainstream and digital media
- Develop a crisis management communication plan.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 10% | |||||
| 2 - Report - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Online Test - 30% | |||||
| 4 - Self assessment - 30% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.johnson2@cqu.edu.au
Week 1: Introduction to Crisis Communication
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
This week establishes the essential frameworks of crisis communication that shape how organisations respond when facing their most challenging moments.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2: Issues Management
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
This week explores the strategic practice of identifying emerging issues before they escalate, potentially saving organisations from significant operational and reputational damage.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3: Risk Management and Perception
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
This week examines how understanding risk perception fundamentally shapes effective communication strategies and stakeholder responses during potential crises.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Case Study (10% weighting) - Due Week 3, Friday, 11.59pm
Crisis Communication Case Study Due: Week 3 Friday (31 July 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 4: When Crisis Hits
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
This week focuses on the critical first phase of crisis response where timely decisions and carefully crafted messages can significantly influence outcomes.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5: Crisis Communication Planning
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
This week introduces systematic approaches to crisis preparation that transform potentially chaotic situations into manageable challenges through thoughtful planning and protocols.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6: Leadership During Crisis
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
This week examines how effective leadership during crises requires specific competencies that build trust, provide direction and maintain organisational cohesion under pressure.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 - Crisis Communication Plan (30% weighting) - Due Week 6, Friday, 11.59pm
Crisis Communication Plan Due: Week 6 Friday (21 Aug 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Break Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7: Crisis Communication in Disasters and Emergencies
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
This week addresses the distinctive challenges of communicating during emergencies where public safety messaging and multi-agency coordination become paramount concerns.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8: Managing Activism and Opposition
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
This week examines strategies for engaging with activist stakeholders and opposition groups in ways that can transform potential conflicts into opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9: Managing Social Media During Crises
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
This week explores how social media platforms dramatically transform crisis communication through speed, reach and audience participation—creating both significant challenges and strategic opportunities.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10: Crisis Week!
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
This week tests your ability to apply crisis communication principles in real-time through a simulated crisis scenario that replicates the time pressure and uncertainty that communicators face when managing actual organisational crises.
Chapter
No allocated readings this week
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3 - Online Exam (30% weighting) - Due Week 10, Friday, 11.59pm
Exam (Crisis Scenario) Due: Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 11: Reputation Management and Recovery
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
This week focuses on evidence-based approaches to rebuilding trust and repairing organisational reputation following crisis events through transparent communication and demonstrated change.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12: GenAI in Crisis Communication
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
This week examines emerging technologies and methodologies that are reshaping crisis communication practice, preparing professionals for the evolving challenges of tomorrow's communication landscape.
Chapter
As per e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 4 - Critical Reflection (30% weighting) - Due Week 12, Friday, 11.59pm
Critical Reflection Due: Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Review Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In COMM20110, generative AI (GenAI) tools may have been used by the unit coordinator in the development of learning materials and teaching resources; for example, as a thinking partner in designing assessment scenarios, pressure-testing materials against the range of organisational contexts students bring to the unit, cross-referencing content for consistency, and refining the structure and clarity of written guidance. Any AI-assisted content has been critically reviewed, edited, and contextualised by the unit coordinator, drawing on professional and academic expertise in crisis communication. Where AI suggestions have not aligned with the pedagogical intent of the unit or the realities of the student cohort, they have been rejected or substantially revised. The final learning materials, teaching activities, and guidance provided reflect academic judgement and align with CQUniversity learning, teaching, accessibility, and academic integrity requirements.
GenAI tools are never used in this unit to evaluate student work or to generate assessment feedback. At no point are student submissions loaded into GenAI tools, used to inform grading decisions, or used to draft written or audio feedback. All marking and feedback decisions reflect the academic judgement of the teaching team.
1 Case Study
Overview
Not everything happens to plan. Sometimes crises hit without warning, or issues build over time. How the leadership team, including communications professionals, respond to a crisis can make or break an organisation. In this early assessment, you will demonstrate your emergent understanding of crisis communication by applying early unit concepts and theories to a real-world case study. We want you to show your understanding of the definition of a crisis as well as analysing key aspects of an organisational response.
Task Description
Choose one incident from the list provided on Moodle. In 500 – 800 words, write a short case study that covers the following areas:
1. Briefly summarise the incident and explain what kind of event it is (i.e. crisis, paracrisis, or issue) and why.
2. Describe how traditional and social media responded to the event. What was the tone of media coverage? How did the organisation’s response intersect with what the media was saying?
3. Identify two or three lessons (positive, negative or both) that the organisation or others in the sector might take from the incident.
Other Information
You are welcome (and in fact, encouraged) to include screenshots, links to media articles, and/or examples of social media posts to support your analysis.
The crisis examples provided for this assessment activity are genuine, contemporary events. The example list may contain real-life events which you have personal experience with, or which cause you discomfort. If this is the case, you are invited to speak to the unit coordinator and will be provided with an alternative event to complete the assessment. You will not be asked to explain or justify your request other than to provide general information which may help the unit coordinator source an appropriate example.
Information about writing and formatting your case study will be given on Moodle.
‘Choose your own adventure’ option: If you would prefer to analyse a crisis communication event not already on the approved list, please contact the unit coordinator for prior approval.
Research tells us that early assessment help students engage with the unit at the start of the term and gives an opportunity for students to build confidence, receive feedback and prepare for future assessments (Thomas et.al 2018; Gonzalez & Linden 2020). Extensions will be considered for students who enrol in the unit after the first day of term to ensure all students have a reasonable amount of time to review the materials and submit the task.
Use of GenAI tools in this assessment
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents (including but not limited to ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot) is as follows:
AI Collaboration: You may use AI to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.
All students must include a statement about AI tool use (even if you did not use any AI tools). Guidance on completing this statement is provided on Moodle. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Submission Instructions
This assessment will be submitted via Moodle. Information about submitting assessments will be provided on Moodle.
Week 3 Friday (31 July 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2026)
Marking Criteria
A detailed grading rubric is provided on Moodle, outlining the specific components and criteria used for evaluation. Students are assessed based on the following categories:
- Crisis Summary Comprehensiveness and accuracy of crisis overview; clear explanation of why the event meets crisis communication criteria; correct identification and justification of crisis type (crisis, paracrisis, or issue); depth of understanding in relating event details to crisis communication theory
- Media Publicity Analysis Through analysis of traditional media and social coverage; insightful examination of organisational responses
- Lessons Learned Identification of key positive and negative lessons; depth of reflection on organisational learnings; applicability of lessons to future crisis management
- Structure, Presentation and Referencing Logical flow of ideas, clarity of writing, quality and relevance of sources; proper citation and referencing style
- Recognise different types of crises and how they can impact an organisation
- Critically evaluate potential risks to leadership throughout the crisis lifecycle
- Analyse the leadership role during and after a crisis
- Apply crisis communication techniques to mainstream and digital media
2 Report
Overview
Crisis communication plans are essential organisational documents which outlay the policies and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency or unexpected issue. They guide the organisation in assessing the event and delivering a swift response. Although they can look simple, they can be complex to prepare as they must address various potential scenarios and stakeholder concerns. This assessment will challenge you to develop a comprehensive crisis communication plan, which requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and anticipation of multiple potential crises. This assessment will prepare you for the subsequent online test, where you will be presented with real-life crisis scenarios and expected to respond effectively using the principles and strategies outlined in your crisis communication plan.
Task Description
For this assessment, you will prepare a crisis communication plan for your chosen organisation. Structure this as though this could be a plan which will actually be used for that organisation. Your plan should include the following elements:
• Organisational context, including a short overview of the organisation, its operating environment and the kinds of crisis that it is most likely to face.
• Activation criteria, such as when the plan gets ‘switched on’ and who has authority to decide that a crisis response is required.
• Crisis Management Team (CMT), naming the people (or position holders) who will form the CMT in your chosen organisation.
• Crisis Communication Centre, establishing a response area and considering the essential resources which need to be available
• Stakeholder map, considering both internal and external stakeholders and how the organisation will communicate with them.
• Spokesperson nomination, both a primary spokesperson and a backup, and a short overview of why these are the most suitable people to hold this role
• Communication assets in the form of drafted or templated materials that an organisation can adapt. At a minimum including a holding statement, a media release template, and draft key messages for one identified scenario. These assets should be include as appendices.
Choosing your organisation
You should pick an organisation you have some kind of familiarity with (i.e. your own workplace, a previous workplace, or somewhere you volunteer). You need enough familiarity to make decisions about realistic structure, personnel, stakeholders and operating context. If you’re unsure, check in with the unit coordinator before you begin.
Plan Structure
Present your crisis communication plan as an easy-to-read document in the style and manner of a real-world plan. Write the document as if it were being developed for the person in charge of the organisation, with a practical focus on implementation. The crisis communication plan should be concise yet comprehensive, with a recommended length of 8-12 pages (excluding appendices or supplementary materials).
Gen AI content generation (for you to critique and review) can be used to assist you develop supplementary components (such as media releases etc. ) in alignment with unit expectations laid out in Moodle.
Use of GenAI tools in this assessment
Full AI: You may use AI extensively throughout your work either as you wish, or as specifically directed in your assessment. Focus on directing AI to achieve your goals while demonstrating your critical thinking.
All students must include a statement about AI tool use (even if you did not use any AI tools). Guidance on completing this statement is provided on Moodle. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Week 6 Friday (21 Aug 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (4 Sept 2026)
Marking Criteria
A detailed grading rubric is provided on Moodle, outlining the specific components and criteria used for evaluation. Students are assessed based on the following categories:
- Organisational Context and Vulnerability Assessment. Quality of the organisational audit; identification of realistic and relevant crisis scenarios; demonstrated understanding of the organisation's operating environment and risk profile
- Plan Structure and Required Elements. Inclusion of all required plan elements; clear activation criteria and approval pathways; well-defined crisis management team with specified roles, authority, and contact protocols; thorough stakeholder mapping; appropriate spokesperson nomination
- Communication Assets and Practical Application. Quality, specificity, and useability of drafted communication assets; relevance of templates and supporting materials to the chosen organisation; demonstrated capacity for the plan to be enacted under pressure
- Integration of Unit Concepts. Application of crisis lifecycle stages; incorporation of relevant theories, frameworks, and unit content; thoughtful engagement with the realities of crisis communication practice
- Research, Presentation and Appropriate Use of AI Tools. Logical flow and professional presentation; clarity of writing; quality and relevance of sources; proper citation and referencing style; appropriate use and disclosure of GenAI tools
- Recognise different types of crises and how they can impact an organisation
- Critically evaluate potential risks to leadership throughout the crisis lifecycle
- Apply crisis communication techniques to mainstream and digital media
- Develop a crisis management communication plan.
3 Online Test
Overview
In this assessment, you will put your crisis communication planning skills to the test in a simulated real-world environment. Although we can anticipate potential crises, we rarely get extensive notification of an incoming emergency; this assessment will replicate the time pressure and stress of a real scenario and ask you to respond effectively, leveraging the principles and strategies you developed previously in your crisis communication plan.
Task Description
You are required to complete a timed, online exam. During the exam you will be given a crisis scenario and asked to answer a range of questions in response to the crisis scenario, using your crisis communication plan as a reference to guide your responses. This assessment challenges your ability to think critically, respond effectively and apply your crisis communication knowledge in a realistic, time-sensitive environment.
Scenario and Requirements
You will be randomly assigned one crisis scenario from a pool of potential scenarios covering various crisis types, such as natural disasters, data breaches, reputational crises, etc. The scenarios will be based on realistic situations, drawing inspiration from past events or hypothetical but plausible circumstances. You will use your previously prepared crisis communication plan as a reference to guide your responses throughout the exam. The exam will include a mix of short-answer questions and the production of various deliverables, such as key messages, holding statements or social media posts.
Online Test Format
The assessment will be delivered through an online test environment (Moodle), accessible for a one-week period.
Once you have started the exam, it must be finished within two hours (or permitted time based on reasonable accommodations- see more information below).
Extensions will not be granted except in cases of extremely extenuating circumstances, as the time constraint is designed to simulate the urgent nature of real-world crisis response.
This assessment must be submitted by the specified due date and time. Due to the nature of this task, the standard 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment. We recognise that unexpected circumstances may arise, and encourage students to reach out as early as possible if they are experiencing difficulties, so that appropriate support or adjustments can be considered in line with university policy.
To ensure prompt return of results, individual feedback will not be provided for this assessment. Instead, comprehensive feedback will be delivered to the entire cohort during the class session and via forum announcements. This approach allows you to receive your marks quickly, enabling you to complete your written reflection within the required timeframe
Reasonable Accommodations
Students with an Accessibility Plan will be accommodated as per the reasonable education adjustments outlined in their plan. This may include additional time to complete the exam. Please contact the unit coordinator for more information if required.
Use of GenAI tools in this assessment
No AI: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Note: Content previously generated and included in your Crisis Communication Plan (Assessment 2) may be referenced during the exam as part of your plan documentation.
Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
The online test will open Monday for Week 10 and close 2359 Friday of Week 10. Once the test has commenced, students must complete and submit their responses within two hours.
Week 11 Friday (2 Oct 2026)
To ensure prompt return of results, individual feedback will not be provided for this assessment.
Marking Criteria
The online test will assess your understanding of key unit concepts and your ability to apply them in practical scenarios. Here's what we'll be evaluating:
- Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstration of accurate comprehension of core principles, theories and terminology covered in the unit.
- Critical Analysis: Ability to analyse information, identify relevant concepts, and apply appropriate frameworks to the questions presented.
- Application of Theory: Skill in connecting theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts or case studies provided in the test.
- Clarity of Expression: Precision and conciseness in your responses, with proper use of subject-specific vocabulary.
- Comprehensiveness: Addressing all aspects of each question thoroughly whilst remaining focused on what is being asked, relevant to the scenario presented.
- Apply crisis communication techniques to mainstream and digital media
- Develop a crisis management communication plan.
4 Self assessment
Overview
Having developed your own crisis communication plan and had the experience of applying that plan to a simulated, real-world crisis scenario, you are now being asked to critically reflect on this experience, as well as your learning across the term. In professional practice, the post-crisis debrief (sometimes called an after-action review) is one of the most important but overlooked parts of the crisis lifecycle. This assessment aims to promote deep reflection on the crisis communication planning and response process, and the application of key unit concepts.
Task Description
Write a critical self-reflection of your experience across Assessments 2 and 3, structured as an after-action report. Your reflection should be 800-1000 words and focus on your own decisions and learnings. Structure your reflection around the following four areas:
- Focus on what your plan got right, and where you felt it fell short. Where did your plan work as intended? Where did it expose gaps you hadn’t anticipated? Use specific examples, such as particular elements of your plan or particular questions or moments in the exam scenario.
- Walk through two or three specific decisions you made during the exam and explaining the reasoning behind them at the time. What were you drawing on? Looking back now, what worked, what didn’t, and what would you do differently?
- Explore what you learnt about yourself through the assessments. Did anything surprise you about the way you responded under pressure? What did you notice about your own blind spots and/or strengths as a communicator?
- Connecting back to the unit, explain which unit concepts, theories or readings now make a lot more sense to you, or might have become useful once you tried to apply them. Which would you draw more heavily from next time, and why? Where do you see this being useful in your current (or future) work?
You should draw specifically on unit content throughout your reflection, including unit readings. We would generally expect students to draw from at least 3-5 scholarly sources, cited and referenced appropriately.
Use of GenAI tools in this assessment
AI Collaboration: You may use AI to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.
All students must include a statement about AI tool use (even if you did not use any AI tools). Guidance on completing this statement is provided on Moodle. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Single document to be submitted via Moodle
Vacation/Exam Week Friday (23 Oct 2026)
Grades and feedback will be returned to students within three weeks following submission
Marking Rubric
A detailed grading rubric is provided on Moodle, outlining the specific components and criteria used for evaluation. Students are assessed based on the following categories:
- Plan and Performance Analysis. Specific and accurate reflection on the strengths and gaps of the crisis communication plan; clear identification of where the plan worked and where it fell short during the exam scenario; use of concrete examples drawn from the student's own work
- Reasoning Under Pressure. Honest and detailed walkthrough of decisions made during the exam; clear articulation of what was being weighed at the time; thoughtful evaluation of what worked, what didn't, and what would be done differently
- Personal Insight. Genuine reflection on the student's own instincts, strengths, and blind spots as a communicator; honest self-assessment without performative self-criticism or unwarranted optimism
- Application of Unit Concepts. Purposeful integration of relevant unit theories, frameworks, and readings; demonstrated understanding of which concepts became useful in practice; clear articulation of how these ideas connect to the student's current or future work
- Research, Presentation and Appropriate Use of AI Tools. Logical flow and clarity of writing; quality and purposeful use of scholarly sources; proper citation and referencing style; appropriate use and disclosure of GenAI tools
- Recognise different types of crises and how they can impact an organisation
- Analyse the leadership role during and after a crisis
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
