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Why Students Plagiarize

Fear of Failure
There are several sources of fear. One is that students may feel ashamed to fail, especially in terms of family expectations. It should be noted that it is more “honorable” to receive a low grade than to be caught cheating or plagiarizing.
Other students may feel their writing or research skills are so weak, that they can only pass the course if they buy a paper written by someone else. Clear guidelines may help students put their skills in perspective
Finally students may claim that they are unable to state the content of a source as well as the original.  In that scenario, instructors may wish to explain that being able to rephrase a concept is important for the assignment as well as for learning overall.
Demanding Schedules (and Lack of Planning)
Students who work or have heavy class loads may decide there is not enough time to do the assignment properly. Guidance on organization and the assignment may show students how to better plan their time. Students should also be reminded that the assignments are providing skills and knowledge that may be needed in their future careers.
Perception that Cheating is Easy
A significant percentage of students reported that they felt cheating was easy or that instructors did not enforce the rules. A discussion of the consequences for academic dishonesty may change that perception. A few well-chosen anecdotes could also reinforce the concept that academic dishonesty is taken seriously.
Lack of Interest
A student uninterested in an assignment may be more likely to plagiarize. Allowing students to select topics or using real-world data/examples may add incentive for a student to complete the assignment as intended.
“Economy of Effort”
Of course, some students plagiarize because they feel it’s easier to copy from someone else than do the work themselves. One strategy for these students is to remind them of long-term consequences. Another strategy is to structure assignments so that plagiarism becomes more work than doing the research.
Ignorance about Plagiarism
Although most students understand that buying a paper online is plagiarism, they may not see the distinction between synthesizing sources or true collaboration and certain types of plagiarism such as “cut-and-paste” or too close a paraphrase.
Seeking Thrills
A small percentage of students may plagiarize just for the thrill of circumventing school policy. One way to combat this could be to present the assignment as a challenge.

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