Browsing by Author "Odongo, Stephen Odera"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Navigating Academic Integrity: Postgraduate Students' Awareness of Plagiarism and the Library's Preventive Role
    (Eastern Africa Journal of Contemporary Research, 2025-06) Odongo, Stephen Odera; Njoroge, George Gitau; Njoroge, Rose Wambui
    Academic integrity forms the cornerstone of ethical scholarship, ensuring the credibility and trustworthiness of the academic endeavor. Academic dishonesty encompasses a range of behaviors, including plagiarism, cheating, fabricating data, and unauthorized collaboration. The study therefore focused on plagiarism as a form of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism takes various forms, ranging from verbatim copying without proper citation to subtle paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source. The study examines the relationship between postgraduate students' awareness of plagiarism and academic integrity and investigates the role of academic libraries in deterring plagiarism and promoting academic integrity among postgraduate students in Kenyan universities. The study adopted a convergent mixed-methods design with both quantitative and qualitative data. It targeted postgraduate students (n=678) and library staff (n=3) in three public universities selected based on their postgraduate enrollment figures. The study found a significant disconnect between students' self-perceived understanding of plagiarism and their actual application of academic integrity principles. The library plays a crucial role in generating research trust and academic integrity among postgraduate students, though challenges persist in reaching all students effectively. The study concludes that comprehensive, skill-based interventions integrated throughout the curriculum are needed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application of academic integrity principles.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Plagiarism Awareness and Practice by Postgraduate Students in Public Universities in Kenya: From an Academic Integrity Standpoint
    (egional Journal of Information and Knowledge Managemen, 2025-06) Odongo, Stephen Odera; Njoroge, Rose Wambui; Njoroge, George Gitau
    Rationale of study-The study assesses plagiarism awareness and practice as a means of academic integrity among postgraduate students. Methodology -The study adopted a descriptive design with a mixed-methods design utilising both questionnaires and interviews to collect data. The population consisted of 711 postgraduate students from three public universities in Kenya. Findings -The study obtainedresponses from a sample of 499 participants.The findings revealed a significant discrepancy between the theoretical knowledge possessed by postgraduate students regarding plagiarism and their actual writing practices. The doctoral students' understanding of academic integrity was significantly shaped by their awareness of plagiarism and university policies, their engagement with plagiarism practices, and their use of library resources. However, the emergence of new challenges, such as AI-generated content and paraphrased plagiarism, adds to this complexity.Implications -It recommends that the focus should shift from theoretical knowledge about plagiarism to developing comprehensive, practically oriented programs that build real skills. A multi-faceted intervention is required, involving postgraduate students, the library,and various departments.Originality -This study examines plagiarism awareness and practices among postgraduate students in public universities in Kenya.