New Study on Students’ Plagiarism Views

• Hannah Berry (Ph.D.)
• Published on 12/06/2023

• Nearly all students surveyed have lost points for incorrect citations.
• The most common citation errors that students lose points for include formatting citations incorrectly (83%), not submitting a full works cited/reference list (59%), and using the wrong citation style (45%).
• The majority of students surveyed (99%) fear facing disciplinary action for plagiarism.
• More students are turning to technology to avoid plagiarism, with 62% using citation tools.

In a recent survey conducted by citation experts TypeCite, 3,000 college students currently enrolled in higher education in the United States were polled to explore their attitudes towards plagiarism. The study aimed to shed light on students’ understanding of correct citation practices, their awareness of plagiarism consequences, and the prevalence of common citation errors.

GENERAL AWARENESS OF CONSEQUENCES FOR PLAGIARISM

Understanding the consequences of plagiarism is pivotal for fostering academic integrity. The survey revealed that 46% of students fear suspension or exclusion, signaling an awareness of the severity of plagiarism offenses. Furthermore, 34% anticipate losing points, illustrating the recognition that plagiarism can directly impact their grades. 

CONSEQUENCES	NUMBER OF STUDENTS	%
Suspension/Exclusion	1,386/3,000	46%
Losing Points	1,022/3,000	34%
A Fine	343/3,000	11%
Legal Prosecution	114/3,000	4%
Nothing Will Happen	78/3,000	3%
I Don’t Know	57/3,000	2%

2% OF STUDENTS WERE UNSURE IF ESSAY WRITING CONSTITUTES ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

A noteworthy finding was that 97% of students correctly identified essay writing as constituting academic misconduct. However, a small percentage 2% either had misconceptions or were unsure about this aspect. It’s important to note that 1% of students were unaware that essay writing is considered a serious form of plagiarism.

COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND CITATION PRACTICES

The survey explored students’ understanding of citing common knowledge in assignments. Results indicated that a majority 60% correctly knew that citing information from common knowledge sources is unnecessary. However, a significant portion 30% believed that the source should still be cited, and 10% were unsure.

COMMON CITATION ERRORS LEADING TO POINT DEDUCTIONS

We presented students with multiple choice options to understand the reasons behind their previous point deductions. Those who had experienced point losses due to incorrect citations disclosed the specific errors they had committed. The subsequent percentages illustrate the categories of mistakes reported:

ERRORS	NUMBER OF STUDENTS	%
Formatting Inaccuracies	2,500/3,000	83%
Not Submitting a Full Works Cited List/Reference List	1,780/3,000	59%
Using the Wrong Style	1356/3,000	45%
Failing to Cite a Quote or Idea	645/3,000	22%
Citing the Wrong Source	200/3,000	7%
Self-Plagiarism	50/3,000	2%
Other	30/3,000	1%

Rosie Newman Communication Director at TypeCite Says ‘Nearly all students surveyed revealed losing points due to incorrect citations. This highlights a common issue faced by students in academia, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of proper citation methods.’

FEAR OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION

An overwhelming majority of students (99%) expressed fear of facing disciplinary action for plagiarism. While this high percentage indicates the seriousness with which students view plagiarism, it also emphasizes the need for continued education and resources to help alleviate concerns and prevent unintentional violations.

TURNING TO TECHNOLOGY FOR SOLUTIONS

The survey findings also showcased a growing trend among students to turn to technology as a means of avoiding plagiarism. A significant 62% (1,858 of students) reported using citation tools, demonstrating a proactive approach to ensuring proper citation. Additionally, 38% (1,142 ) of students reported using plagiarism checker tools before submitting their work, further indicating a reliance on technology to prevent unintentional academic misconduct.

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