Plagiarism: Exploring Students’ Awareness Level in Higher Education Setting

Abstract

Plagiarism is the most frequent form of academic dishonesty in an academic setting. Due to the seriousness of plagiarism among students, this study is conducted to evaluate the awareness towards academic plagiarism among undergraduate students at the private Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in Malaysia. A total of 314 undergraduate students at the private HEIs were selected using an online survey. Independent sample t-test and standard multiple regression were used to analyse the data. The finding of this study reveals that plagiarism among Malaysian undergraduate students is prevalent even though the students are aware of what constitutes academic plagiarism. Lack of ideas, language proficiency limitations, health problems, pressure, the volume of work, and the lack of interest in the required task are among the reasons for committing academic plagiarism. Consistent with the Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1985), this study suggests that attitudes and knowledge are the predictors that influence students to commit plagiarism. This study allows HEIs management as well as policy-makers to formulate strategies in eliminating plagiarism among undergraduate students because academic plagiarism threatens the reputation of nations, universities, teachers, and students.