Attitudes towards plagiarism in academia

Abstract

This contribution probes into the attitudes towards plagiarism in academia as it details the results of a questionnaire study within the larger framework of a joint Bulgarian-German research project on plagiarism in academia. The questionnaire focused on investigating the scope of the notion of plagiarism as Bulgarian academics understand it and second, looking into the availability of a system of support to prevent transgressors and/or sanctions for transgressing academics across Bulgarian universities. The results of the questionnaire suggest that while there appears to be a consensus among Bulgarian academics about the different facets that make up the notion of plagiarism, the reported attitudes towards plagiarism practices vary greatly, reflecting a non-uniform perception of what constitutes an offense. It also shows a deep dissatisfaction with existing anti-plagiarism regulatory systems in Bulgarian scientific institutions. Note: This study was financed by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany, as part of a larger project entitled: “Text Plagiarism in the Social Sciences vis-à-vis Ethical Aspects and Common Practices” and realized within the framework of the Research Group Linkage Programme of the foundation in the period of 01.01.2017 – 30.06.2018. Ref. 3.4 – 1062413 – BGR – IP.