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Students' and supervisors' knowledge and attitudes regarding plagiarism and referencing
Johanna F Lindahl1,2,3, Delia Grace4
1Department of Biosciences, International Livestock Research Institute, Regional Office, 298 Kim Ma Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, 100 000 Vietnam.
Research Integrity and Peer Review
|November 3, 2018
Summary
Scientific referencing is crucial for academic integrity. This study found a lack of consensus on referencing principles among students and supervisors, highlighting a need for improved education and training in research conduct.
Area of Science:
- Scientific Writing
- Research Integrity
- Academic Publishing
Background:
- Referencing is essential for acknowledging sources and avoiding plagiarism in scientific writing.
- Supervisors play a key role in fostering research integrity and guiding students in proper referencing practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess student and supervisor knowledge and attitudes regarding referencing and plagiarism.
- To identify gaps in understanding and inform educational strategies for academic integrity.
Main Methods:
- An online questionnaire was administered to 138 students and 14 supervisors across European and African institutions.
- Data collected were used to facilitate discussions in workshops and lectures on referencing and research ethics.
Main Results:
- While 98% of participants had heard of plagiarism, only 45% recognized self-plagiarism. Significant knowledge gaps were observed, particularly among non-European/North American participants.
- Most participants received some referencing training (85%), yet over 30% found citing unread references acceptable, indicating a lack of consensus on core principles.
- Supervisors also showed a lack of consensus on correct referencing behaviors, underscoring a need for faculty development.
Conclusions:
- A significant need exists for enhanced consensus and standardized training on referencing practices for both students and faculty.
- Workshops and lectures effectively facilitated discussion, emphasizing the importance of continued education in research integrity and academic writing.