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Plagiarism, Cheating and Research Integrity: Case Studies from a Masters Program in Peru.
Andres M Carnero1, Percy Mayta-Tristan1,2, Kelika A Konda1,3
1School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Plagiarism is prevalent in developing countries, necessitating a strong "zero-tolerance" policy. Implementing educational programs and strict consequences effectively reduced plagiarism incidents in a Peruvian Masters program.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Research Integrity
- Academic Misconduct
Background:
- Plagiarism is a significant research misconduct often overlooked in developing nations.
- Limited data exists on plagiarism in Latin America, hindering prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document plagiarism instances in a Peruvian Masters program.
- To evaluate a "zero-tolerance" policy's effectiveness in curbing academic dishonesty.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal case study analyzed seven plagiarism/cheating incidents (2011-2014).
- A multifaceted "zero-tolerance" policy was implemented, including education and strict penalties.
- Active plagiarism detection was employed across all academic work.
Main Results:
- Initial cases revealed low awareness, poor writing skills, and high tolerance for plagiarism.
- Penalties included course failure (6/7) and program expulsion (3/7).
- No plagiarism cases were detected after policy implementation in 2014.
Conclusions:
- Plagiarism is widespread in resource-limited academic settings.
- A "zero-tolerance" policy combined with education is crucial for prevention.
- Effective strategies are needed to address research misconduct in developing countries.
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