Systematic Literature Review to Identify and Rank the Most Common Reasons for Plagiarism

Abstract

Aim/Purpose: In this paper the authors explore and analyse the literature to determine the common reasons why a student may choose to plagiarise. The predominant purpose of the research formed part of a larger study to develop metrics and methods to identify potential plagiarism within coding-based assignments. Methodology: A systematic literature review with the objective to identify and rank the most common reasons for plagiarism was conducted. This was achieved by identi-fying primary studies conducted on the reasons for plagiarism. The identified studies were subsequently subjected to a top down quality assessment with a number of criteria. In total, 37 studies made it through the selection process. The results of the selected studies were synthesized to obtain a ranked list of reasons why students plagiarise. Contribution: This paper contributes a ranked list of reasons that may influence a student’s decision to plagiarise, based on a set of categories emerging from the literature. Findings: Eleven possible categories indicating the common reasons behind a student’s decision to plagiarise are identified. The literature revealed that aspects such as the external values of the student and attitudes towards academia and teaching styles are significant factors that impact a student’s willingness and decision to plagiarise. Impact on Society: Instructors may gain a better understanding on why their students decided to plagiarise.

Plagiarism Issues Among Undergraduates: A Kazakhstani Perspective

“…Previous research by McCabe and Trevino (1997) shows that factors leading to academic misconduct fall into two major categories: individual factors (getting a satisfactory grade, lack of understanding of plagiarism policy, gender, age) and contextual (institutional) factors (insufficient punishment, poor instruction on how to avoid plagiarism, peer cheating). According to Hattingh et al(2020) individual reasons such as poor time management, low level of student academic achievement, desire to receive a good grade, and temptation appear to be among the leading factors that cause plagiarism in terms of individual factors. Some recent studies referred to time management issues and low English language proficiency as one of the reasons of academic misconduct (Roka, 2017;Introna & Hayes, 2003;Doró, 2014).…”