Attitudes and perceptions of the research scholars towards the use of Anti-Plagiarism Software for quality research output: a study

Abstract Present study is an attempt to identify the attitudes and perceptions of the research scholars towards the use of anti plagiarism software for quality research output. Research is a process of conducting enquiry to create new knowledge. In the process of writing research papers and books, authors tend to copy existing content from other subjects without paying due acknowledgement to the original work. This results in violating copyright law and plagiarism. The best way to maintain quality in research is to pay gratification and acknowledge to the original work. All scholars are not aware that there are free and propriety anti plagiarism software to check similar content and rectify the error in quality research. The sample was selected from six life science departments such as Botany, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Sericulture, Zoology and Genetics scoring 105 research scholars. The results of the study show that many researchers are aware of the use of anti plagiarism software and only few are not aware of its use. A large number of respondents with a mean value of 0.61; and SD being 0.11; use plagiarism software ‘to improve the quality of research papers’. The reason for publication of papers is that it is as part of submission of thesis. 66 (62.9%) respondents are aware of UGC notification regarding repercussions of plagiarism. Respondents seem to prefer citation to avoid plagiarism ‘Whenever you use quotes’ with a mean of 0.84 and SD being 0.36. 62 (59.0%) respondents are of the opinion that ‘Using another person’s exact words without including quotation marks and citation’ is a type of plagiarism. Nearly, 44 (41.9%) respondents feel that plagiarism is highly wrong. The study is useful in improving research paper writing by using anti plagiarism software. Keywords: Attitude, perception, research scholars, plagiarism, anti plagiarism software, life sciences, copyright violation Cite this Article Khaiser Nikam, Mahadevaswamy M. Attitudes and Perceptions of the Research Scholars towards the Use of Anti-Plagiarism Software for Quality Research Output: A Study. Journal of Advancements in Library Sciences. 2015; 2(3): 7–17p.