Exploring Student Self-Plagiarism

Abstract

Student self-plagiarism is a confusing issue for both faculty and students alike. This problem is compounded because both groups perceive the concept very differently. Recent literature regarding these perceptions is reviewed and some brief preliminary results of an exploratory multi-university study of student perceptions of self-plagiarism are presented. Key findings in these preliminary results are compared to a previous study at the same universities which measured faculty perceptions towards self-plagiarism. Approximately 60% of both faculty and students do not truly understand self-plagiarism. In addition, almost 60% of students felt there was no need to cite their previous unpublished works, while approximately 80% of faculty considered this to be self-plagiarism. Some recommendations on ways for faculty and administrators to handle self-plagiarism are discussed, as well as the need to have a specific institutional policies and procedures that address this issue in place. Faculty are becoming more aware of this issue as the use of plagiarism detection programs increase.