Assessment of Knowledge and Practice of Plagiarism among post-graduate students and dental students who were members of the student research committee, in Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background: Plagiarism is defined as “the deliberate or reckless use of someone else’s thoughts, words or ideas as one’s own, without clear attribution of their source”. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and practice on plagiarism among post-graduate and dental students, who were members of the student research committee, at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۱۷.   Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on ۷۰ post-graduate and dental students selected by the census method. The data were collected through a standard questionnaire including three sections of demographic information, knowledge (۷ questions), and practice (۱۲ questions) of plagiarism. The data were analyzed in SPSS ۲۱ using independent t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression at a significance level of ۰.۰۵.   Results: Participation in research method and scientific writing workshops were ۸۱.۰% and ۶۵.۷% respectively. ۲۹.۵% of the participants had never committed plagiarism. The mean and standard deviation of practice score was ۳۷.۱۲±۸.۰۶ out of ۶۰, and that of knowledge was ۱۳.۶۰±۴.۶۷ out of ۲۸. There was no significant relation between knowledge and education level. Attendance in ethics workshop (P=۰.۰۰۰۱) and publication of papers (P=۰.۰۱۲) were significantly associated with knowledge.   Conclusion: In this study the knowledge and practice of plagiarism were moderate. It is recommended to hold workshops about plagiarism and its consequences in order to reduce this behavior.

Keywords:

Plagiarism , Knowledge , Practice , Student