STUDENT PLAGIARISM – CAUSES AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

Abstract

This paper describes the phenomenon of plagiarism among students at the English Department, University of Foreign Language Studies, the University of Danang. This phenomenon can be chiefly attributed to the availability and the easy access to the internet and other digital information sources, students’ low English proficiency, improper learning strategies and lack of academic skills including quoting, referencing and paraphrasing. It is also due to the tolerant attitude of the university and the teachers as well as plagiarism acceptance among the student community. In order to prevent plagiarism, it is suggested that the university and the English Department should have transparent policies, reliable plagiarism detection tools and severe penalty systems. Besides, some courses should be modified to enhance students’ language and academic skills; also, the staff should set good examples in performing their professional skills. All of these measures are expected to be taken thoroughly and consistently.