title: Academic integrity and plagiarism: perceptions and experience of staff and students in a school of dentistry: a situational analysis of staff and student perspectives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This project has investigated student and staff perceptions and experience of plagiarism in a large Australian dental school to develop a response to an external audit report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Workshops designed to enhance participants' understanding of plagiarism and to assist with practical ways to promote academic integrity within the school were provided to all students and staff. Anonymous surveys were used to investigate perceptions and experience of plagiarism and to assess the usefulness of the workshops.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants felt that plagiarism was not a problem in the school, but a significant number were undecided. The majority of participants reported that the guidelines for dealing with plagiarism were inadequate and most supported the mandatory use of text-matching software in all courses. High proportions of participants indicated that the workshops were useful and that they would consider improving their practice as a result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provided data that enhanced understanding of aspects of plagiarism highlighted in the report at the school level and identified areas in need of attention, such as refining and raising awareness of the guidelines and incorporation of text-matching software into courses, as well as cautions to be considered (how text-matching software is used) in planning responsive action.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. p.ford@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D004995:Ethics, Professional; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015714:Plagiarism; D011793:Queensland; D012575:Schools, Dental; D013335:Students, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires