Plagiarism among undergraduate students in the faculty of applied science at a South African Higher Education Institution

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate plagiarism among undergraduate students at a higher education institution in South Africa. There is evidence from previous studies that plagiarism is increasing world wide among higher education students. The emergence of the Internet has made plagiarizing worse as students can easily copy and paste information from the World Wide Web. This study investigated the occurrence, causes and trends of plagiarism among students in the Faculty of Applied Science at a higher education institution. It also examines student awareness of institutional policies and guidelines regarding plagiarism. The methodology used to achieve the desired outcomes of this study was a quantitative research method. It involved the distribution of questionnaires to undergraduate students to gain information about certain aspects of student plagiarism. The participants were first, second and third year students of the departments of Chemistry and Mathematical Technology within the Faculty of Applied Science. The results of the study confirm that student plagiarism is fairly common within the departments of Chemistry and Mathematical Technology. The study shows that 41% of undergraduate students think that plagiarism is very serious, but plagiarism is still being practiced within these departments. It was also found that 73% of students admit to using the Internet to compile their assignments. This implies that the Internet is the most possible source of plagiarism. Students also used books and journal articles as possible sources to plagiarise. The study made recommendations regarding how a higher education institution can reduce incidences of plagiarism and make students more aware of the implications and penalties involved. Immediate responses that this higher education institution can do to prevent plagiarism, includes teaching students to be information literate, teaching referencing techniques and academic writing. Students must be assisted in understanding plagiarism by being made aware of the different forms of plagiarism and how to avoid being accused thereof. The institution must also fight technology with technology by investing in plagiarism detection software that will help academic staff to identify copied pieces of information. It is the responsibility of any higher education institution to create policies and guidelines regarding plagiarism and to ensure students are aware of their existence. Students should be informed about the procedures that will be implemented when dealing with cases of plagiarism