AWARENESS AND INCIDENCE OF PLAGIARISM AMONG STUDENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY OF NARH-BITA COLLEGE

ABSTRACT A series of ethical issues are on the rise in academia, especially plagiarism. In this age of information overload, more and more students and researchers are turning to the Internet for already made solutions and short-cuts for writing assignments, research papers and thesis. This culture certainly does not promote academic excellence and critical thinkers. The study examined students’ awareness and incidence of plagiarism at the Narh-Bita College. It further looked at motivations behind plagiarism and students’ knowledge of the institution’s policy on plagiarism. The study employed the survey research methodology. A total of 143 nursing and physician assistant students participated in this study. A self-reported questionnaire survey was used for collection of data. The findings of the study revealed that there was high level of awareness about plagiarism amongst the students. Findings also revealed that there was high incidence and practices of plagiarism in the academic life of the students. Poor understanding of the concept of plagiarism was ranked as the highest motivator behind plagiarism. The findings of the study further revealed that students’ knowledge on the institution’s plagiarism policy was low. The study again revealed faculty’s laxity in the enforcement of plagiarism policies. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends among others the teaching of the concept plagiarism to promote the ethical use of information among students and the pro-active enforcement of policies on plagiarism by faculty to effectively stem the incidence of plagiarism in the college.