Purpose
This paper aims to analyse researchers’ awareness about plagiarism and impact of plagiarism detection tools on the actions that they take to prevent plagiarism. It also employs a structural model that examines whether awareness of plagiarism and anti-plagiarism tools have any significant effect on the actions taken by the researchers to avoid plagiarism.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey questionnaire was distributed to researchers at a large public university in Bangladesh. The survey accumulated 184 valid responses. Descriptive statistics were obtained to assess researchers’ awareness about plagiarism and impact of plagiarism detection tools and the actions taken by them. The reasons that may cause plagiarism were also identified. The awareness of the availability of the anti-plagiarism software that was being used by the university and its actual use by the researchers was gathered through the survey. Non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted to investigate the differences in awareness levels and actions in terms of gender, age, discipline and current level of research. The chi-square test was carried out to examine the relationship between awareness about the availability of the anti-plagiarism software and its use by the researchers. Finally, the survey data were analysed using structural equation modeling to examine the effects of awareness of plagiarism and anti-plagiarism software on the actions taken by the researchers.
Findings
The study revealed that the level of awareness regarding plagiarism and impact of plagiarism detection software is generally high among the researchers. There are some significant differences between researchers’ demographic and personal characteristics and their awareness levels and actions with regard to plagiarism. The findings indicate that almost three-quarters of the researchers were aware about the anti-plagiarism tool that is being used, whereas more than half of the researchers indicated that they used the software to assess their works. The results of the structural equation model do not show a good fit, although there is strong statistical evidence that awareness about plagiarism and anti-plagiarism software has significantly impacted researchers’ actions towards preventing plagiarism.
Originality/value
There is no reported study on researchers’ awareness of plagiarism and its affiliated issues in Bangladesh. The findings of this study will not only provide useful insights regarding awareness about plagiarism but also assist university authorities to formulate relevant policy and take necessary actions against plagiarism in higher education institutions.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the Knowledge Sharing (KS) patterns among the students of the Arts faculty, University of Dhaka (DU). In order to investigate the KS patterns, a structured questionnaire was used which included different parameters such as background information of the respondents, their purpose, frequency, preferred channels, benefits and motivators for Knowledge Sharing. The data were collected from a total number of 372 students and later analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The study revealed that, majority of the students of the Arts faculty share their knowledge for self-satisfaction. Although, largest numbers of the students also believe knowledge sharing help them to create new knowledge and ideas, while, learning from each other is their prime motivator for KS.
Blended Learning (BL) essentially fuses high-tech digital learning with traditional ones to involve students in “network learning”, which helps in transcending physical boundaries. Especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, BL has been embraced as a realistic possibility to ensure seamless knowledge distribution regardless of time and space. Knowledge Management (KM)-based approaches are typically used to collect, coordinate, and control processes that may be utilised efficiently to both recognise and address customer needs. This study aims to explain how to apply KM techniques within the BL environment to increase educational excellence and quality. We used a quantitative approach, specifically by adopting an online questionnaire circulated to about 272 undergraduate students, primarily from the Department of Information Science and Library Management (ISLM) of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. We received completed answers from 74 students; the data gathered were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The findings reveal that KM can be used with BL, especially during crisis times like the one we have today, as it includes integrated tasks and online and e-learning. Finally, the study also proposed an intuitive model for applying BL through KM. Importantly, this study seems to be among the first to examine the students’ perceptions about BL and KM integration during a pandemic. Therefore, this research would possibly prompt further research on different aspects of the combined learning process at different universities, especially within Bangladesh.
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