Journal of Medical Library and Information Science

Vol. 6 No. 6 (2025)

Factors Affecting Plagiarism from the Standpoint of Faculty Members and Graduate Students

Journal of Medical Library and Information Science, Vol. 6 No. 6 (2025), 5 April 2025 , Page 1-12
https://doi.org/10.22037/jmlis.v6i.48944

Abstract

Introduction: Plagiarism is a form of scientific misconduct, and academics may be involved in it deliberately or unintentionally. This study aims to investigate the attitudes of faculty members and graduate students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences towards the factors influencing the development of academic plagiarism.

Methods: This survey was conducted on faculty members and graduate students from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in the academic year of 2023. The sample size was determined using a stratified random method (306 people). The data collection tool was a questionnaire scored on a five-point Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test, as implemented in SPSS software.

Results: The study participants included 148 faculty members and 144 students. The main background factors affecting academic plagiarism are related to “low self-confidence and fear of the label of requesting help from others” (53.6%), “lack of understanding of intellectual property rights” (52.6%), “absence of ratified laws and executive mechanisms to penalize plagiarists” (49.8%), “inappropriate cultural and moral values ​​in the society regarding scientific plagiarism” (46.6%). No significant differences were reported between the views of faculty members and students regarding personal, normative, organizational, and cultural factors; however, a significant difference was observed in technology factors.

Conclusion: Faculty members and students share similar viewpoints regarding the factors creating the context for plagiarism. According to the opinions of the community under study, appropriate educational programs, regulatory guidelines, and adjustments to cultural and organizational conditions should be considered to reduce plagiarism.

Keywords:
  • Academic plagiarism
  • Research misconduct
  • Scientific misconduct
  • Hamadan University of Medical Sciences
  • Iran

How to Cite

Amiri, M. R., Moslehi, S., Allahmoradii, F., Ahmadvand, N., & Zarghani*, M. (2025). Factors Affecting Plagiarism from the Standpoint of Faculty Members and Graduate Students. Journal of Medical Library and Information Science, 6(6), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.22037/jmlis.v6i.48944

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