Perceptions of Plagiarism by STEM Graduate Students: A Case Study.
Issues of academic integrity, specifically knowledge of, perceptions and attitudes toward plagiarism, are well documented in post-secondary settings using case studies for specific courses, recording discourse with focus groups, analyzing cross-cultural education philosophies, and reviewing the current literature. In this paper, the authors examine the perceptions of graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines at the University of Florida regarding misconduct and integrity issues. Results revealed students' perceptions of the definition and seriousness of potential academic misconduct, knowledge of institutional procedures, and views on faculty actions, all with a focus on divergences between U.S. and internationally-educated students. The open-ended questions provide anecdotal evidence to highlight personal experiences, positive and negative, aimed at the faculty, international students and undergraduates. Combined, these findings outline an important part of the campus academic integrity culture at a major American university. Recommendations for local actions also are discussed.
Marston Science Library, University of Florida, PO Box 117011, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. mleonard@uflib.ufl.edu.
Michelle
M
Leonard
Library West, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, PO Box 117000, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. dschwieder@uflib.ufl.edu.
David
D
Schwieder
Marston Science Library, University of Florida, PO Box 117011, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. amybuhl@uflib.ufl.edu.
Amy
A
Buhler
Marston Science Library, University of Florida, PO Box 117011, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. dbennett@ufl.edu.
Denise Beaubien
DB
Bennett
Marston Science Library, University of Florida, PO Box 117011, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. mroyster@uflib.ufl.edu.
Melody
M
Royster
D001290:Attitude; D008192:Deception; D004738:Engineering; D005178:Faculty; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008433:Mathematics; D010465:Perception; D015714:Plagiarism; D012586:Science; D013334:Students; D013672:Technology; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities / Q000941:ethics*
Academic integrity; Graduate students; Honor codes; Plagiarism; Research misconduct; STEM