Knowledge and Attitude of Saudi Students towards Plagiarism—A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Rakhi Issrani, Abdulrahman Alduraywish, Namdeo Prabhu, Mohammad Khursheed Alam, Rehana Basri, Fahad Muqbil Aljohani, Mshari Ali Abdullah Alolait, Alaa Yahya Ali Alghamdi, Modhi Mohammed Nasser Alfawzan and Abdullah Hamdan Mashog Alruwili
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Rakhi Issrani: Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman Alduraywish: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
Namdeo Prabhu: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Khursheed Alam: Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
Rehana Basri: Neurology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
Fahad Muqbil Aljohani: Aja Primary Health Care Centre, Ministry of Health, Hail 55471, Saudi Arabia
Mshari Ali Abdullah Alolait: Safad Dental Center, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Alaa Yahya Ali Alghamdi: Badanh Primary Health Care Centre, Arar 91431, Saudi Arabia
Modhi Mohammed Nasser Alfawzan: Aja Primary Health Care Centre, Ministry of Health, Hail 55471, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Hamdan Mashog Alruwili: Ministry of Health, Sakaka 42421, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Plagiarism (Plg) is an unacceptable practice since it affects the integrity of scientific literature. Aim and objectives: To seek students’ knowledge and attitude regarding Plg and solicit suggestions to prevent Plg in our institute. The specific objectives of the study were to ascertain whether students’ knowledge and attitudes about Plg differ by their demographic characteristics and academic years. Methodology: A 32 item questionnaire was given to all the undergraduate (UG) students of the College of Medicine and Dentistry, Jouf University, KSA. The research questions focused on demographic information, knowledge and attitude regarding Plg, and suggestions to curb Plg. Results: A total of 134 UG students filled out the survey. The samples consisted of 97 males and 37 females. Most of the students displayed adequate knowledge regarding Plg in terms of copying words or ideas, quoting references, and copying words without changing the matter. As compared to female students, male students had better awareness regarding meaningful and harmful effects of practicing Plg ( p < 0.05). Additionally, our results indicate that as students climb the academic ladder, their awareness on Plg tends to rise. Common reasons for plagiarizing are discussed here together with suggestions to combat Plg. Conclusion: The results of this study can be mainly taken as an eye opener which demonstrates the vital factors pertaining to the level of students’ knowledge about Plg, and to eradicate the problem, there is a need for more discussions and training on this topic for students.

Keywords: attitude; knowledge; plagiarism; policy; questionnaire (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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