KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF PLAGIARISM AMONG INDIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ONLINE SURVEY

Introduction: Plagiarism is defined as the “unauthorized use of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without proper acknowledgment, typically claiming them as one’s own.” It represents a form of academic misconduct that is becoming increasingly prevalent across higher education institutions and research organizations. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional investigation conducted at a medical institute between February and May 2024. A total of 400 students from various programs, including MBBS, MD, M.Ch., and paramedical courses, participated in the study. Data were entered into an MS Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using PSPP 2.0.1. Descriptive statistics such as absolute numbers and percentages were reported. The Chi-Square Test was used to assess associations, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The most common age group was 21-22 years (146, 50.4%), with the majority of participants (332, 83%) enrolled in the MBBS program. Of the total participants, (216, 54%) were female. A total of (280, 70%) students had knowledge of plagiarism, with the most common sources of information being books or online resources, cited by (166, 41.5%) participants. Furthermore, (260, 65%) students were aware of the proper methods for referencing. However, (267, 66.75%) students were unaware of the institute’s anti-plagiarism policy. Awareness of ethical issues was reported by (96, 24.0%) students, while awareness of legal issues was reported by (99, 24.75%). In this study, factors such as age, gender, religion, medium of schooling, course of study, and place of residence were significantly associated with knowledge of plagiarism. Conclusion: In conclusion, while students demonstrate some awareness of plagiarism, their understanding remains insufficient. Regular training and awareness programs are crucial to improve the research quality and academic integrity of future medical professionals.