A Qualitative Study of Undergraduate STEM Majors’ Copyright Knowledge and Educational Experiences

Abstract

This study sought to better understand students' grasp of complex copyright issues. Thirty-one undergraduate STEM students were interviewed to learn more regarding what students know about basic copyright and how they learned what they know about it. The interviews revealed that students often conflate aspects of copyright and plagiarism. Most students also indicated a desire to receive formal instruction regarding copyright. The use of case studies as the foundation of the interview process demonstrated that copyright instructional efforts can be designed to meet students where they are throughout their disciplinary educational experience, while also connecting to their personal life experiences.

Evaluating Threshold Concepts for Information Literacy in an Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Literature Research Project

“…The literature in chemical education has been surprisingly silent on the issue of copyright in chemistry education, although copyright training is explicitly called out in the new ACS CPT guidelines ( vide supra ). What little information we have about STEM students suggests that they know little about copyright and may conflate the issue with plagiarism. , Misconceptions include that all educational use is fair use and that all digitally downloadable resources can be used freely . More research will be needed to gain direct insight into the specific reasons behind these students’ behaviors.…”

“…What little information we have about STEM students suggests that they know little about copyright and may conflate the issue with plagiarism. 70,71 Misconceptions include that all educational use is fair use and that all digitally downloadable resources can be used freely. 70 More research will be needed to gain direct insight into the specific reasons behind these students' behaviors.…”

“…70,71 Misconceptions include that all educational use is fair use and that all digitally downloadable resources can be used freely. 70 More research will be needed to gain direct insight into the specific reasons behind these students' behaviors.…”