Plagiarism in Non-Anglophone Countries: a Cross-sectional Survey of Researchers and Journal Editors
10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e247
- Author:
Latika GUPTA
1
;
Javeria TARIQ
;
Marlen YESSIRKEPOV
;
Olena ZIMBA
;
Durga Prasanna MISRA
;
Vikas AGARWAL
;
Armen Yuri GASPARYAN
Author Information
1. Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2021;36(39):e247-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Plagiarism is one of the most common violation of publication ethics, and it still remains an area with several misconceptions and uncertainties.
Methods:This online cross-sectional survey was conducted to analyze plagiarism perceptions among researchers and journal editors, particularly from non-Anglophone countries.
Results:Among 211 respondents (mean age 40 years; M:F, 0.85:1), 26 were scholarly journal editors and 70 were reviewers with a large representation from India (50, 24%), Turkey (28, 13%), Kazakhstan (25, 12%) and Ukraine (24, 11%). Rigid and outdated pre- and post-graduate education was considered as the origin of plagiarism by 63% of respondents. Paraphragiarism was the most commonly encountered type of plagiarism (145, 69%). Students (150, 71%), nonAnglophone researchers with poor English writing skills (117, 55%), and agents of commercial editing agencies (126, 60%) were thought to be prone to plagiarize. There was a significant disagreement on the legitimacy of text copying in scholarly articles, permitted plagiarism limit, and plagiarized text in methods section. More than half (165, 78%) recommended specifically designed courses for plagiarism detection and prevention, and 94.7% (200) thought that social media platforms may be deployed to educate and notify about plagiarism.
Conclusion:Great variation exists in the understanding of plagiarism, potentially contributing to unethical publications and even retractions. Bridging the knowledge gap by arranging topical education and widely employing advanced anti-plagiarism software address this unmet need.
