Investigating Predictors of Academic Plagiarism among University Students

Author(s):  
Sumayah Goolam Nabee ◽  
Joash Mageto ◽  
Noleen Pisa

Academic plagiarism is increasingly becoming a challenge to academic integrity worldwide, owing to the ease of access to free information online. The aim of this paper was twofold; first, to ascertain the perceptions of transport and logistics management university students regarding academic plagiarism, and second, to determine the predictors of university students’ plagiarism practices. A self-designed structured questionnaire was developed to collect information from the students of their understanding of plagiarism (UP), the plagiarism practices (PP), the understanding of the university plagiarism policy (UPP), the understanding of the departmental plagiarism policy (DPP), the awareness of the university and departmental training workshops (TOP), and the adequacy of the university and departmental training workshops (AOT). Independent t-tests were computed for the differences in plagiarism, based on home language and gender. Also, a one-way ANOVA was computed to test if the year of study, the degree enrolled for, and race, had an impact on plagiarism practices. Lastly, a regression model was computed to determine the impact of the plagiarism predictors on the plagiarism practices. The results of this study revealed high-levels of the understanding of plagiarism, and an awareness of the university and departmental plagiarism policies. However, an analysis of the plagiarism practices revealed moderate levels of plagiarism, indicating a likelihood of intentional plagiarism among students. Two significant predictors of plagiarism practices among university students were identified as; the understanding of plagiarism and the understanding of the university-wide plagiarism policy. University instructors and education managers are informed through the findings of this study that clear plagiarism policies are important in reducing academic dishonesty among students. It is important to continuously train students on what plagiarism entails and how to avoid academic dishonesty.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 320-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Asquith ◽  
Tania Ferfolia ◽  
Brooke Brady ◽  
Benjamin Hanckel

Discrimination, harassment and violence can vitiate staff and students’ experiences of education and work. Although there is increasing knowledge about these experiences in primary and secondary education, very little is known about them in higher education. This paper draws from landmark research that examines the interpersonal, educational and socio-cultural perspectives that prevail about sexuality and gender diversity on an Australian university campus. In this paper we focus on three aspects of the broader research findings: the heterosexism and cissexism experienced by sexuality and gender diverse students and staff at the university; their actions and responses to these experiences; and the impact of these experiences on victims. The research demonstrates that although the university is generally safe, sexuality and gender diverse students and staff experience heterosexist and cissexist discrimination, which can have negative ramifications on their workplace and learning experiences.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria de Fátima Morais ◽  
Leandro Da Silva Almeida

No  mundo  atual,  a  universidade  tem  um  papel  crucial  na  formação  de cidadãos capazes de inovar. A criatividade surge, assim, como um conceito a valorizar  no  ensino  superior,  mas  tal  valorização  implica  alterações  no quotidiano  educativo.  Uma  fonte  de  informação  relevante  para  a rentabilizações  das  competências  criativas  nos  alunos  universitários  é auscultar  o  que  estes  pensam  sobre  elas.  Neste  sentido,  a  partir  do questionário  "Universidade  e  Competências  Criativas",  foram  analisadas perceções de 582 estudantes de uma universidade portuguesa acerca da conceituação e da valorização de criatividade no contexto académico. As percepções foram analisadas em função da área curricular de formação e do género, encontrando-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas para ambas as  variáveis.  Os  resultados  permitem  reflexões  no  sentido  de aprofundamentos futuros deste estudo, assim como apontam direções para cuidados e reforços a ter nas práticas educativas neste nível de ensino.Palavras-chave: Criatividade; Ensino Superior; Estudantes universitários; Perceções ABSTRACTIn today's world, the University has a crucial role in the education of citizens in order to innovate. Creativity is thus a concept to value in higher education, but that valuation implies changes in the educational practices. A relevant source of information in order to promote creative skills in college students is to gather what they think about those skills. Through the questionnaire "University and Creative Skills" the perceptions of 582 Portuguese university students about the conceptualization and valorization of creativity in the academic contexts were analyzed. The perceptions were analyzed according to the students curriculum area and gender. Data suggest significant statistical differences in function  of  both  variables.  The  results  allow  reflections  towards  further developments of this study but also point directions to reinforce deliberate educational practices in this level of education.Keywords:Creativity; Higher Education; College students; Perceptions


Author(s):  
Syh-Jong Jang ◽  
Yahui Chang

<p>University science teachers’ technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) is crucial for effective teaching. Although there has been a plethora of studies investigating pre-service and in-service teachers’ TPACK, few studies have examined university instructors’ TPACK and university students’ perceptions of instructors’ TPACK. The main purpose of this study was to examine the TPACK questionnaire differences between university students’ perceptions and instructors’ self-perceptions, and assess differences in university physics instructors’ TPACK according to gender, academic degrees and teaching experience in Taiwan. This study adopted and revised an instrument for measuring university students’ perceptions of science instructors’ TPACK. The sample was randomly selected from the physics instructors of universities in the northern, central, and southern regions of Taiwan. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the dimensions of the instrument. The results revealed that the TPACK questionnaire of university physics instructors’ views were different from the university students’ perceptions. University physics instructors’ results indicated statistical significance in overall TPACK according to teaching experience. The research implications of this study are provided along with suggestions.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-64
Author(s):  
Bahram Sattar Abdulrahman

The present study aims at investigating the use of prosodic features by Kurdish EFL undergraduates in their face-to-face interactions inside/outside the classroom from the university instructors’ perspectives. The study hypothesizes that the majority of Kurdish EFL undergraduates are not fully aware of the fact that any misuse of prosodic features would probably affect the emotions, feelings, and attitudes that the face-to-face interaction is intended to convey. Building on an analysis of a questionnaire given to 54 university instructors at 10 Iraqi Kurdistan Region different universities, the study concludes that the majority of problems the students face can be related to the misuse of stress, intonation, and other prosodic features. Therefore, EFL instructors should pay more attention to make students learn how to use prosodic features and enable them to send messages adequately while engaging in face-to-face interactions. This would require special classes about prosodic features so that EFL students can overcome the misuse they have in face-to-face communication. This is inevitable because accuracy and fluency in communication require EFL students to master both features: segmental and suprasegmental. The reason behind this necessity could be attributed to the fact that broken and/or incorrect pronunciation can be considered as one of the most prominent factors behind misunderstandings in communication.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Mayara Matos Fialho ◽  
Franca Spatafora ◽  
Lisa Kühne ◽  
Heide Busse ◽  
Stefanie M. Helmer ◽  
...  

Background: Results of previous studies examining the impact of the SARS-CoV-1 epidemic in 2003 on university students' mental well-being indicated severe mental health consequences. It is unclear how the current COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in study conditions due to federal regulations affected mental well-being in the German student population. We examined university students' perceptions of study conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigated associations between study conditions and depressive symptoms.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Germany in May 2020 at four universities (N = 5,021, 69% female, mean age: 24 years, SD: 5.1). Perceived study conditions, as well as sociodemographic information, were assessed with self-generated items and the CES-D 8 scale was used to determine depressive symptoms. Associations between perceived study conditions (academic stress and academic satisfaction), in general, and confidence to complete the semester, in particular, and depressive symptoms were analyzed using generalized linear regressions.Results: Fifty-four percent of survey participants felt that the university workload had significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic; 48% were worried that they would not be able to successfully complete the academic year; 47% agreed that the change in teaching methods caused significant stress. Regarding depressive symptoms, the mean score of the CES-D 8 scale was 9.25. Further, a positive association between perceived study conditions and depressive symptoms was found (p &lt; 0.001), indicating that better study conditions were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Results of the generalized linear regression suggest that better student mental well-being was related to higher confidence in completing the semester.Conclusions: This study provides first insights into perceived study conditions and associations with depressive symptoms among students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Findings underline the need for universities to provide intervention strategies targeting students' mental well-being during the course of the pandemic.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
B. Kumara ◽  
B. T. Sampath Kumar

This paper examines the impact of ICT on the reading habits of the students of Tumkur University. The survey was conducted using a well design and structured questionnaire. A total of 440 postgraduate students of faculty of Arts, Science and Commerce were chosen. The result of this study showed that most of the students are female (61.6%) and most of them (72.3%) are from rural areas. The study found that students read books daily at home (69.5%) followed by classroom (51.1%). The students strongly agreed that the print books are costlier than Internet sources (32.3%). The study results also indicated that students are accessed Internet every day and the students used ICT in support of their academic work. The study recommends that the university authorities in to provide more ICT facilities to all the postgraduate students. It is also necessary to conduct more ICT based learning programmes to the students.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianna Loose ◽  
Alejandro Vásquez-Echeverría

The novel coronavirus has taken a catastrophic toll worldwide on physical and mental health. We focused on the psychosocial impact among students in Uruguay, a country relatively protected from the pandemic. Our study had three main aims : 1) describe in detail the impact among university students, 2) identify relationships between different dimensions and 3) highlight the factors determinant of mental distress. We designed a multi-dimensional questionnaire to investigate the perceived impact on the lives of students. The questionnaire was administered to 144 undergraduates in Uruguay online while the university was closed. 38-66% of students indicated increases in signs of anxiety, depression or sleep disturbances. Independently of other related factors, increases in substance use, impairments in social relationships, negative impacts of school closures, and personal economic worries explained 41% of variance in psychological distress. Findings are discussed in terms of policies for public health and future directions for research on mental health.


2020 ◽  
pp. 144078332091146
Author(s):  
Heidi La Paglia ◽  
Meredith Nash ◽  
Ruby Grant

In a neoliberal environment where university students are encouraged to study subjects and courses which will lead to specific job outcomes, this article explores which students undertake Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS), why they undertake the degree, and what it teaches them. Drawing on interviews with students at a regional Australian university, this qualitative study examines the extent to which the university’s Gender Studies cohort is postfeminist, and the impact that this has on retention and student outcomes. Findings suggest that WGS holds an ambivalent position within the contemporary university context. While students claim that studying WGS may not directly benefit them in the contemporary job market, they choose to study it because it gives them a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. The value students place on WGS is an insight rarely recognised previously.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosme-Jesús Gómez-Carrasco ◽  
José Monteagudo-Fernández ◽  
Juan-Ramón Moreno-Vera ◽  
Marta Sainz-Gómez

We present the results of a training program with future Primary Education teachers on the impact on motivation and perception of learning achieved through strategies and techniques associated with gamma and flipped-classroom. The program was run in four classroom groups (n = 210) at the University of Murcia (Spain) and the aim was to analyze the effect that the gamification-based and flipped-classroom program has on motivation and learning. Information was collected through a perceptions questionnaire. Descriptive statistics are shown; mean tests (t of Student and ANOVA of a factor) and Pearson correlations between subscales. The data show a very positive impact on motivation, the learning achieved, and the strategies applied in the program. Some differences between group-class and gender are discussed, and some future improvements of the program are put forward.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 718-736
Author(s):  
Swagatika Sahoo ◽  
Rajeev Kumar Panda

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of the contextual antecedents on the individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) of university graduates, which, in turn, affects their entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected in the form of 510 valid responses from engineering students across two technical universities in India, through a structured questionnaire consisting of scales adapted from the extant literature, and the data were empirically validated in this study. The reliability and validity measures of the constructs were validated through the confirmatory factor analysis, and the proposed hypotheses were validated using structural equation modelling. Findings The results of this empirical analysis validate that the contextual antecedents have a significant positive impact on students’ entrepreneurial orientation (EO), which, in turn, has a significant positive influence on EIs. Research limitations/implications This analysis depicts the significance of EO as a perceptual driver at the individual level and substantiates that the availability of resources such as startup capital, access to business information, social networks and supportive university context significantly affects the decision-making process of an individual to venture into an otherwise uncertain occupation of entrepreneurship. Practical implications The study has the likely potential to help university administrators and policymakers to allocate resources, develop strategies and provide effective entrepreneurial learning in entrepreneurship-oriented courses aimed at honing entrepreneurial skills and self-confidence of the university students. This holistic model can be used as a tool for resource planning and prioritising in order to provide the desired contextual support essential for fostering the IEO of the university students towards adopting entrepreneurial career, thereby assisting them to achieve their career goals and the broader objective of nation-building. Originality/value This study adopts an innovative approach to empirically validate the EO construct at the individual level, which has been studied at the organisation (firm) level till today. This research explores the relevant contextual antecedents and analyses their impact on IEO as well as the explanatory capacity of IEO to explain students’ EIs in the contextual backdrop of universities in a fast transitioning economy like India.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document