Investigating the Causes of Academic Plagiarism and Ways to Prevent It Case Study: (Faryab University)

Abstract

Academic Plagiarism is one of the serious issues in both fields of "education" and "research." Formal education worldwide, at all levels, and researchers across various scientific disciplines are the two main groups most affected by plagiarism. In the research domain, those who publish the results of others' thoughts and efforts under their own name not only place their own reputation at serious risk but also harm the social standing of researchers. Through such behavior, they tarnish the societal respect of scholars and intellectuals within the community. The present study examines the reasons for committing different types of academic plagiarism and suggests preventive measures from the perspective of the editorial boards of scientific journals, professors, and students from various disciplines at Faryab University. A total of 44 members of the academic staff, including the editorial boards of social and natural science journals, department heads, and faculty deans, as well as 70 top students of this university, participated in the study. The participants responded to two descriptive questions and a questionnaire, either online or in print. The results of this study indicated that the main reasons for the prevalence of plagiarism at Faryab University included the lack of proper training in research methods and standards, the widespread culture of laziness and cheating among both academic staff and students, insufficient awareness of the types of plagiarism and its consequences, and the pressure on professors and students to submit articles and assignments beyond their capabilities in order to achieve academic promotion, obtain scientific rankings, or graduate. Strict law enforcement and serious punishment of offenders, along with proper education and awareness-raising, were among the most important solutions proposed by the participants to combat plagiarism.