Plagiarism in Higher Academic Institutions, a Blight on Intellectual Integrity: An Interventionist Approach

Abstract

Although studies on students’ plagiarism continue to attract research attention, there are still lacunas in the literature in terms of adequate interventions to combat the menace in higher educational institutions. This study set out to examine plagiarism behaviour among students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) a leading Ghanaian university. The study employs a quantitative research technique informed by a positivistic orientation.  Findings point to the need to treat students’ assignments as a process, not a product. It was concluded that covert and overt techniques are the best interventionist approaches to ascertaining and minimising students’ plagiarism tendencies. The study recommends the need for organizational structures to deal with the ‘menace’ and the pursuit of vigorous plagiarism awareness programmes for students and faculty.  A concerted effort and commitment by students and faculty in combating plagiarism at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) could promote intellectual integrity in the university.