| Peer-Reviewed

Perceptions of Academic Staff on Causes of Plagiarism in Project Writing Among Undergraduate in Southwest Nigeria

Received: 20 November 2020    Accepted: 7 December 2020    Published: 16 December 2020
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Despite knowledge and awareness of plagiarism among undergraduates through the teaching of related compulsory university course for all students as well as teaching of research methodology in various field in Nigeria universities, final year students sill found plagiarized while writing their research work. It was based on the above, that this study was design to explore the perception of the academic in Southwest Nigeria on the causes of plagiarism among final year undergraduates while writing their research project. The study makes use of descriptive survey research design of expo factor type where eighteen universities were selected with a total sample of 1,800. Data were collected through questionnaire and analysed using both the descriptive and quantitative analysis. The findings indicated among others that laziness, lack of knowledge about plagiarism, lack of experience among students in producing source-based writing and lack of adequate skill to write final year project were some of the perceived causes of plagiarism in project writing. Moreso, incompetent graduate, injustices in grading student’s projects were some of the effect of plagiarism. Similarly, awareness campaign and theuse of plagiarism checker among others were some of the perceived measured that can be adopted in solving the menace of plagiarism among students.

Published in American Journal of Information Science and Technology (Volume 4, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11
Page(s) 58-66
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Academic Staff, Plagiarism, Project Writing, Southwest, Nigeria

References
[1] Haworth, G. M. Student projects: plagiarism and assessment. In: JISC 2nd International Plagiarism Conference, 19th - 21st May, 2006, The sage, Gateshead, Newcastle. 2006, Available at http://centaur.reading.ac.uk/4558/.
[2] Emenalo, F. C. Management Strategies for Curbing the Prevalence of Plagiarism in Project Writingamongst Students of Imo State University Oweeri. Universal Journal of Educational Research., 2016, 4 (9), 1965-1972.
[3] Wan, R., Nordin, S. B., Halib, M. B., &Ghazali, Z. B. Plagiarism among Undergraduate Students in an Engineering-Based University: An Exploratory Analysis. European Journal of Social Sciences; 2011, 25 (4), 80-96.
[4] Olesen, A. P, Amin, L.&Mahadi, Z. Researchers experience of misconduct in research in Malaysian higher education institutions. Accountability in Research., 2018, 25 (3): 125-14.
[5] Buraimo, O., Olusanya, F, O., Oyedokun, S. O &Adekunmisi, R. A. Plagiarism Perceptions among Undergraduates at OlabisiOnabanjo University, Nigeria. South African Journal of Information Studies., 2019, 37 (4): 1-23. https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/6409.
[6] Awasthi, S. Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct: A Systematic Review. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology., 2019, 39 (2) 94-100. doi: 10.14429/djlit.39.2.13672.
[7] Babalola, Y. T. Awareness and incidence of plagiarism amongundergraduates in a Nigerian private university. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science., 2012, 22 (1) 53-60.
[8] Baysen, F, Çakmak, N. &Özsavaş-Akçay, A. Architecture students’ attitudes towards plagiarism”. BilgiDünyası., 2018, 19 (2), 231-253. doi: 10.15612/BD.2018.719.
[9] Kayaoğlu M. N., Erbay, S., Flitner, C. C., &Saltaş, D. Examining Students’ Perceptions of Plagiarism: A Cross-cultural Study at Tertiary Level. Journal of Further and Higher Education., 2015, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2015.1014320.
[10] Soyemi, O. D & Ojo, A. I. Lecturers’ perception and attitude towards plagiarism among students: Implications for higher education in Nigeria: Paper presented at the 3rd School of Education and Humanities International Conference, themed, “On the Future of Higher Education in Africa“, 2015, Babcock University, Ilishan, August 24th-26th.
[11] Nimasari, E. P., Gestanti, R. A., &Mufanti, R. What University-Students Believe about Plagiarism. International Journal of Social Sciences., 2019, 4 (3), 1912-1925.
[12] Anney, V. N. &Mosha, M. A. Student’s Plagiarisms in Higher Learning Institutions in the Era of Improved Internet Access: Case Study of Developing Countries. Journal of Education and Practice., 2015, 6 (13): 203-216.
[13] Seadle, M. Copyright in the networked world: plagiarism and its ambiguities. Library Hi Tech., 2008, 26, 4, 691-695.
[14] Louch, M. O-B. Teaching Case Single Sourcing, Boilerplates, and Re-Purposing: Plagiarism andTechnical Writing. Information Systems Education Journal., 2016, 14 (2), 27-33.
[15] Bal, K. S. Plagiarism Among University Students: Intentional or Accidental. Journal of NELTA., 2007, 12: 1-2.
[16] Nwana, O. C. University Academics in Nigeria, Memoirs of an Insider, Owerri: Peace Wise., 2008. 178–179.
[17] Awujo C. G. Research Anxiety Among Education Undergraduates. African Journal of Higher Education Studies and Development., 2013, 3, 33-42.
[18] Honing, B. &Bedi, A. The fox in the hen house: a critical examination of plagiarism among members of the Academy of Management. Academy of Management, Learning and Education., 2012, 11 (1), 101-123.
[19] Armstrong, L. (2008). Final year undergraduate student plagiarism: academic staff and student perceptions. Luke Armstrong Graduate, 7 (3); 16-20.
[20] Sentleng, M. P., & King, L. Plagiarism among undergraduate students in the Faculty of Applied Science at a South African Higher Education Institution. SA Jnl Libs & Info Sci., 2012, 78 (1): 57-68.
[21] Graham-Matheson, L. & Starr, S. Is it cheating or learning the craft of writing? Using Turnitin to help students avoid plagiarism. Research in Learning Technology. Research in Learning Technology., 2013, 21, 1-13.
[22] Jereb, E, Perc, M., LaÈmmlein, B., Jerebic, J, Urh, M & Podbregar, I. Factors influencing plagiarism in higher education: A comparison of German and Slovene students”. PLoS ONE., 2018, 13 (8), 16.
[23] Betts, L. R., Bostock, S. J., Elder, T. J., &Trueman, M. Encouraging good writing practice in first-year Psychology students: An intervention using Turnitin. Psychology Teaching Revie., 2012, 18 (2), 74-81.
[24] Hayes, N. &Introna, L. D. Cultural values, plagiarism and fairness: When plagiarism gets in the way of learning. Ethics and Behavior., 2015, 15 (3), 213-231.
[25] Power, L. G. University Students’ Perceptions of Plagiarism”. The Journal of Higher Education., 2009, 80 (6): 643-662.
[26] Cleary, M. N. Top ten reasons students plagiarize and what you can do about it, 2012, Retrieved 21st May, 2020fromhttps://offices.depaul.edu/oaa/faculty-resources/teaching/academic-integrity/Documents/Top%20Ten%20Reasons%20Students%20Plagiarize%pdf.
[27] Ennam, O. Systematic Analysis of the Effects of Digital Plagiarism on Scientific Research: Investigating the Moroccan Context - IbnTofail University as Case Study. Journal of Education and Practice., 2018, 8 (2): 133-141.
[28] Salleh, M. I. M., Ghazali, S. A. M., Awang, Z&Sapiai, N. S. The Effect of Plagiarism on the Corporate Image in the Higher Education: An Extended TPB Model. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity., 2012 2 (4): 340-344.
[29] Marshall, T., Taylor, B., Hothersall, E., & Pérez-Martín, L. Plagiarism: a case study of quality improvement in a taught postgraduate programme. Medical Teacher., 2011, 33 (7), 375–381.
[30] Ramzan, M., Munir, M. A., Siddique, N., &Asif, M. Awareness about plagiarism amongst universitystudents in Pakistan. Higher education., 2012, 64 (1), 73-84.
[31] Batane, T. Turning to Turnitin to fight plagiarism among university students. Journal of EducationalTechnology& Society., 2010 13 (2), 1-10.
[32] Sibomana, E., Ndayambaje, I., &Uwambayinema, E. Plagiarism in higher education environment: causes and solutions. Rwandan Journal of Education., 2018, 4 (2), 15-24.
[33] Garba, K. D. Awareness and Perception of Academicians on the Use of Turnitin Software in Detecting Plagiarism in Bayero University Kano. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology., 2018, 5 (1) 1-9.
[34] Faleyimu, O. I., Agbeja, B. O. & Akinyemi, O. State of forest regeneration in Southwest Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural research., 2013, 8 (26), 3381-3383. https://doi:10.5897/AJAR09.035.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Olusanya Francis Olufemi, Buraimo Olayinka, Oyedokun Siddiqah Olatope, Ogunsanya Adeola Oladele, Ajani Florence Olabisi. (2020). Perceptions of Academic Staff on Causes of Plagiarism in Project Writing Among Undergraduate in Southwest Nigeria. American Journal of Information Science and Technology, 4(4), 58-66. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Olusanya Francis Olufemi; Buraimo Olayinka; Oyedokun Siddiqah Olatope; Ogunsanya Adeola Oladele; Ajani Florence Olabisi. Perceptions of Academic Staff on Causes of Plagiarism in Project Writing Among Undergraduate in Southwest Nigeria. Am. J. Inf. Sci. Technol. 2020, 4(4), 58-66. doi: 10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Olusanya Francis Olufemi, Buraimo Olayinka, Oyedokun Siddiqah Olatope, Ogunsanya Adeola Oladele, Ajani Florence Olabisi. Perceptions of Academic Staff on Causes of Plagiarism in Project Writing Among Undergraduate in Southwest Nigeria. Am J Inf Sci Technol. 2020;4(4):58-66. doi: 10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11,
      author = {Olusanya Francis Olufemi and Buraimo Olayinka and Oyedokun Siddiqah Olatope and Ogunsanya Adeola Oladele and Ajani Florence Olabisi},
      title = {Perceptions of Academic Staff on Causes of Plagiarism in Project Writing Among Undergraduate in Southwest Nigeria},
      journal = {American Journal of Information Science and Technology},
      volume = {4},
      number = {4},
      pages = {58-66},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajist.20200404.11},
      abstract = {Despite knowledge and awareness of plagiarism among undergraduates through the teaching of related compulsory university course for all students as well as teaching of research methodology in various field in Nigeria universities, final year students sill found plagiarized while writing their research work. It was based on the above, that this study was design to explore the perception of the academic in Southwest Nigeria on the causes of plagiarism among final year undergraduates while writing their research project. The study makes use of descriptive survey research design of expo factor type where eighteen universities were selected with a total sample of 1,800. Data were collected through questionnaire and analysed using both the descriptive and quantitative analysis. The findings indicated among others that laziness, lack of knowledge about plagiarism, lack of experience among students in producing source-based writing and lack of adequate skill to write final year project were some of the perceived causes of plagiarism in project writing. Moreso, incompetent graduate, injustices in grading student’s projects were some of the effect of plagiarism. Similarly, awareness campaign and theuse of plagiarism checker among others were some of the perceived measured that can be adopted in solving the menace of plagiarism among students.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Perceptions of Academic Staff on Causes of Plagiarism in Project Writing Among Undergraduate in Southwest Nigeria
    AU  - Olusanya Francis Olufemi
    AU  - Buraimo Olayinka
    AU  - Oyedokun Siddiqah Olatope
    AU  - Ogunsanya Adeola Oladele
    AU  - Ajani Florence Olabisi
    Y1  - 2020/12/16
    PY  - 2020
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11
    T2  - American Journal of Information Science and Technology
    JF  - American Journal of Information Science and Technology
    JO  - American Journal of Information Science and Technology
    SP  - 58
    EP  - 66
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2640-0588
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajist.20200404.11
    AB  - Despite knowledge and awareness of plagiarism among undergraduates through the teaching of related compulsory university course for all students as well as teaching of research methodology in various field in Nigeria universities, final year students sill found plagiarized while writing their research work. It was based on the above, that this study was design to explore the perception of the academic in Southwest Nigeria on the causes of plagiarism among final year undergraduates while writing their research project. The study makes use of descriptive survey research design of expo factor type where eighteen universities were selected with a total sample of 1,800. Data were collected through questionnaire and analysed using both the descriptive and quantitative analysis. The findings indicated among others that laziness, lack of knowledge about plagiarism, lack of experience among students in producing source-based writing and lack of adequate skill to write final year project were some of the perceived causes of plagiarism in project writing. Moreso, incompetent graduate, injustices in grading student’s projects were some of the effect of plagiarism. Similarly, awareness campaign and theuse of plagiarism checker among others were some of the perceived measured that can be adopted in solving the menace of plagiarism among students.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • University Library, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

  • University Library, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

  • University Library, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

  • Department of Arts and Social Science Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

  • University Library, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

  • Sections