Research Article: “Plagiarism Awareness Among Students: Assessing Integration Of Ethics Theory Into Library Instruction” (Preprint)
The following research article (preprint) is scheduled for publication in the November, 2014 issue College & Research Libraries.
Title
Plagiarism Awareness Among Students: Assessing Integration Of Ethics Theory Into Library Instruction
Authors
Connie Strittmatter
Montana St. University
Virginia K. Bratton
Montana St. University
Source
College and Research Libraries Web Site
Abstract
The library literature on plagiarism instruction focuses on students’ understanding of what plagiarism is and is not. This study evaluates the effect of library instruction from a broader perspective by examining the pre- and posttest (instruction) levels of students’ perceptions towards plagiarism ethics. Eighty-six students completed a pre- and posttest survey that measured their ethical perceptions of plagiarism scenarios. The survey used the multidimensional ethics scale (MES) developed by Reidenbach and Robin which is used commonly in business ethics research. The study found that the MES is a reliable tool to measure changes in ethical perceptions of plagiarism. Further, results indicate that students had higher posttest perceptions of plagiarism ethics than they did prior to library instruction. These results suggest that library instruction was effective and had a meaningful impact on students’ perceptions towards plagiarism ethics.
Filed under: Academic Libraries, Libraries, News
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.