Shishir Kumar, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
S. Danish Iqbaal, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Tajwar Yasmeen, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Background: Plagiarism is defined as the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without proper acknowledgment, often claiming them as one’s own. It is a form of academic misconduct that is increasingly prevalent in higher education and research institutions. Objectives: To identify the common reasons and motivations behind plagiarism in medical education and understand students’ awareness of plagiarism and academic misconduct. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 2024 and May 2024, involving 400 medical students. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Approximately 60% of students engaged in plagiarism for academic purposes, with 67% using online sources. Nearly half (49%) cited peer pressure as a reason for plagiarism, while 51% attributed it to a lack of interest in the topic. Conclusions: The study found that medical students are aware of various aspects of plagiarism but continue to engage in it due to multiple underlying reasons. The findings highlight the need for periodic orientation, training, and reinforcement to improve research ethics and establish a strong foundation for future medical and allied professionals.
Keywords: Plagiarism. Medical students. Attitude. Practice. Academic misconduct. Research ethics.
