FACULTY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

TECHNICAL WRITING

UWB20302

SECTION 13

FACTORS AFFECTING THE HABIT OF PLAGIARIZING AMONG MALE FKAAS

STUDENT

LECTURER : MS HANI SURAYA BT AZIZ

NAME MATRIC NO

SITI KHALIDA BT MASHOD DE120053

RAMIZAH BT OTHMAN DE120038

NUR SHILLA BT OBIN DE120067

NURFARAHIN BT SHAKRONI AF130019

NURUL SHAZMIZA BT HAMIR AF130118

Background of study

Plagiarism is defined as copying another’s work or borrowing someone else’s original

ideas (www.plagiarism.org). One of the most common forms of plagiarism identified among

students is a failure to acknowledge the original author in papers (McCabe and Trevino,

1993). Several researchers perceive that lack of knowledge regarding correct ways of citing

and paraphrasing information are factors contributing to plagiarism (White, 1993; Rosnow

and Rosnow, 1995). However, Hale's (1987) states that study provides evidence suggesting

that plagiarism is not the result of confusion on the part of students. Yeo (2007) provides

evidence of the extremely high proportions of students plagiarizing electronic sources, as well

as the discipline dependence of plagiarism (with the highest incidence in engineering

subjects). She also emphasizes the apparent lack of seriousness with which undergraduate

students perceive this type of misdemeanour.

Pennycook (1996) notes the differences in learning modes in the Far East, notably the

emphasis on memorization, and the importance of mastering the text, which contribute to

culture‐based notions of plagiarism. In a Malaysian context, O'Donoghue (1996) notes an

expressed preference from undergraduate students for “teacher‐centered passive learning”

which may be inconsistent with the independent reading and research necessary for many

coursework assignments. Last but not least, Ashworth et al. (2003, p. 26) suggest that

consequently we should not be surprised if students from different cultures are puzzled at

being prevented from including text from accepted sources in their assignments:

… Plagiarism can be seen to be part of a particular cultural configuration

[which] assumes… the individual ownership of work; personal ownership,

creativity or originality, and the view that knowledge has a history; and past

authors must be acknowledged. All these things are … implicated in a certain

western modernist episteme.

(http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/13217340710823350)

Research will investigate the factors affecting the habit of plagiarizing among male

FKAAS students. Research also will list the problem statements that contributed to this issue

and last but not least, research will explore the guidelines of avoiding plagiarism that can

recommend for the students.

Objectives

The objectives of this research are:

1. To investigate the factors affecting habit of the plagiarizing among male FKAAS

students.

2. To recommended solution of reducing the plagiarism among male FKAAS students.

3. To identify student’s knowledge about plagiarism.

4. To identify whether students know about plagiarism detection in University of Tun

Hussein Onn.

Problem statements

For many years, people still have debated about plagiarism especially among student.

They are going to school or college, they learn something and they do their task. But is it

hundred percent they do by their own? What situations are most likely to result in

plagiarizing?

There are some reasons that always are excuses for students plagiarize. Sometimes

students cannot handle their assignments especially deadlines came around more quickly than

they expected. On the other hands, students felt the assignments are overwhelming.

Thus, students took an easy way to finish their assignment by hacking into websites

and copy the ideas. The worst part is they claimed it as their own works. Student might not

think that their work cannot be compared by their lecturers or teachers.

On top of that, plagiarism occurs due to students did not aware of what proper research

requires. They might think they are being asked to do a simple critical commentary report. As

the result, it became a big problem when what they turned in is tended to be mostly other’s

work. Thus, this is how plagiarizing occurred among students.

However, there are rules regarding plagiarism in University of Tun Hussein Onn

(UTHM). If a student gets caught by the lecture due to plagiarize, he or she could have severe

penalties and repercussions. Moreover, either lecturers or students were provided a detection

system in UTHM which is Turnitin.com. They can sign up for an account and for lecturers

they can get an ID account and join password from the Center for Graduate Studies.

Limitation of study

Naturally the study of the topic should be limited. The limit is:

Research respondents only open to male FKAAS students

The target of the study is only targeted on male FKAAS students in UTHM. The study’s

target is limited our research due to the concern of costs, manpower, and time needed to

conduct the research.

Significant of study

1. Significant to minimize the habit of plagiarizing among male FKAAS students.

As the plagiarism has became the trend for years among male students, thus the

research is focusing on the rate of how the habit of plagiarizing affecting their

lives.

2. Significant to create good quality students.

The research is focusing on a good recommendation for making students

become eager in exploring new ideas based on the knowledge with zero

plagiarism.

3. Significant to strategic of time management for students.

The study of this issue is focusing a good way for students avoiding last minute

works and doing plagiarized. As nowadays, students are giving thousands

excuses and always procrastinating in doing their tasks.

Methodology

Questionnaire

This research will use data collected among local and even foreign male FKAAS students.

The research conducted in Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineer, UTHM, the data are

collected using questionnaire which related to the research topic.

Interview

The interview method also uses in order to obtain the data. The interviews will be conducted

by the researchers that may ask about plagiarism activities among male FKAAS students. The

interviews may support the data obtained by questionnaire.