Plagiarism conundrum in Kenyan Universities: An impediment to quality research

Abstract

Purpose- Plagiarism has been on the rise, mainly because of increased access to the internet and digital sources. To combat the threat of plagiarism, various universities have implemented countermeasures such as capacity building, anti-plagiarism policies, and the purchase of antiplagiarism software. In Kenya, there appears to be a lack of cohesion among universities in combating plagiarism, a situation that threatens teaching, learning, and research if not addressed adequately. This paper sought to review and identify anti-plagiarism practices in Kenyan universities, it further proposed various best practices and policy actions that ought to be adopted to win the fight and the misperception of plagiarism. Design, methodology, and approach: The study adopted a mixed-method approach by surveying the librarians and interviewing the graduate school directors or deans to establish the strength and challenges in implementing plagiarism measures in the universities in Kenya. Prior to collecting data, the researcher checked the reliability of the tools by pretesting and readjusting the tools based on input from the participants. Findings- The study established that most universities in Kenya appreciate the fact that plagiarism negatively affects the quality of teaching, learning and research. However, despite the fact that there is goodwill in the effort to combat plagiarism, there were no unified mechanisms, strategies, and implementation policies in solving plagiarism issues among universities in Kenya. Different universities have adopted different strategies in terms of policy, software and capacity. Further, it was noted that the well-established/funded universities had clear stipulated mechanisms as opposed to the ill funded universities with limited funding and budget. Practical implications: This research provides an opportunity for universities to makke an informed choice about the policies, required capacity, and software to tackle plagiarism. The findings from the study will be used to improve the quality of academic writing and standardize procedures on plagiarism by proposing policy actions needed to maximize the benefits of the investments in this venture. This study recommends a collaborations approach among universities in the fight against plagiarism. Since the Kenya Library and Information Services Consortium (KLISC) already supports many university cooperation, they ought to take the initiative in formulating policy, choosing the appropriate software to employ, and developing the necessary ability in the battle against plagiarism.