Perceptions and Attitude of Postgraduate Students Towards Plagiarism: A Case Study

Authors

Keywords:

Plagiarism, Attitude, Perception, Snit-plagiarism Policy, Plagiarism Detection Software (PDS)

Abstract

The rise of plagiarism cases has become a serious concern in the higher education sector around the world. Hence, a study was carried out to assess and compare the perceptions of PG students about plagiarism to identify the major causes of plagiarism, to examine the role of library professionals in checking plagiarism and to make suggestions for maintaining academic honesty in University of Kerala.  The data for the study was collected from a randomly selected 200 final year PG students in different disciplines. The data analyzed using Chi-Square and ANOVA showed that there is no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the awareness and attitude towards plagiarism with respect to age, gender, place of residence and faculty of study. More than 90% of the PG students have no idea about anti-plagiarism policy and didn’t face any problem of plagiarism during the course of study. Only limited number of students is getting access and support on anti-plagiarism software from the library.  The study showed the carelessness of PG students towards plagiarism calls for the need of proper orientation on plagiarism and citation styles.

Author Biography

  • Suresh Kumar PK, University of Kerala
    Suresh Kumar, P K is a presently Head, Information Technology Division of the Kerala University (KU) Library, India. He has MSc in Demography with First Rank and PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Kerala, MLISc and MPhil in Lib and Information Science from Annamalai University,  BEd-Mathematics,  PG Diploma in Computer Application from Indira Gandhi  National Education Foundation and UGC-JRF (Demography) and UGC-NET (Library and Information Science). He is an academic counsellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and a part-time faculty member of the school of Distance Education and Centre for Adult and Continuing Education, University of Kerala.  He has authored a book, edited three books, and published about 55 research papers in National/international peer reviewed Journals. Is currently the editor of KLA Journal of Information Science & Technology and Technical Committee member of the Kerala State Higher Education Council and Executive Chairman of Kerala Statistical Institute.  Has delivered numerous lectures in Indian in many countries and has received  IASLIC-Ranganathan National Award.

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Published

2023-02-09