Exploring the Factors That Influence Plagiarism in Higher Education: A Study among School of Information Science Students in Sarawak

Abstract

Plagiarism, a form of academic misconduct and dishonesty, is prevalent in higher education. This problem has become more pronounced with the rise of technology, which has made it simplified for students to find, use, and misuse information. A study was conducted at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Samarahan Campus in Sarawak, using a quantitative approach. The study focused on students enrolled in the School of Information Science, College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics, involving 108 participants who completed questionnaires. This study aimed to understand the factors contributing to plagiarism in higher education. The findings revealed that students were aware of various forms of plagiarism, including copying and pasting from online sources and presenting the work as their own. The research identified that the main reason for plagiarism was the students' inability to conduct proper research. The study recommended further research to delve deeper into the factors influencing plagiarism and to develop strategies for preventing it in the future. This research is a valuable resource for combating academic dishonesty and plagiarism among university students. It emphasizes proper referencing and citation skills through study and writing courses. By doing so, universities can effectively discourage plagiarism while enhancing the quality and credibility of students' research efforts.