Plagiarism: How Often Does It Happen and Do Students Have The Knowledge to Avoid It?
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Location
Burnett Honors College
Start Date
25-9-2009 5:15 PM
End Date
25-9-2009 6:45 PM
Description/Abstract
An important part of learning about research is summarizing and presenting the results of prior research. Many instructors have concerns about whether students know how to provide correct citations and avoid plagiarism. The purpose of the present study is to find out what students know about citation and plagiarism. Participants in an initial study were students enrolled in a Web-based, upper-division psychology course. This course included an optional module on APA citation and discussed plagiarism with multiple examples. We found that on an essay assignment, 26% of the essays contained direct quotations that included no citations and 36% contained paraphrases that were not cited. On one essay, 77% of students included a direct quote that was not cited; and on another, 54% included a direct quote that was not cited. A follow-up study is being conducted which will compare what instructors are teaching about citations and what students perceive as being taught; as well as what sources students use (e.g., peer-reviewed vs. Web-sites). Data is being collected and will be analyzed before the confer- ence. The results emphasize the importance of undergraduate research and provide information to instructors and mentors on what undergrad- uates know.
Plagiarism: How Often Does It Happen and Do Students Have The Knowledge to Avoid It?
Burnett Honors College
An important part of learning about research is summarizing and presenting the results of prior research. Many instructors have concerns about whether students know how to provide correct citations and avoid plagiarism. The purpose of the present study is to find out what students know about citation and plagiarism. Participants in an initial study were students enrolled in a Web-based, upper-division psychology course. This course included an optional module on APA citation and discussed plagiarism with multiple examples. We found that on an essay assignment, 26% of the essays contained direct quotations that included no citations and 36% contained paraphrases that were not cited. On one essay, 77% of students included a direct quote that was not cited; and on another, 54% included a direct quote that was not cited. A follow-up study is being conducted which will compare what instructors are teaching about citations and what students perceive as being taught; as well as what sources students use (e.g., peer-reviewed vs. Web-sites). Data is being collected and will be analyzed before the confer- ence. The results emphasize the importance of undergraduate research and provide information to instructors and mentors on what undergrad- uates know.