Plagiarism Perceptions and Attitudes Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia

Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2020, Vol 20, Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine attitudes towards and perceptions of plagiarism among medical students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional, multicentre study was conducted between April and May 2018 and involved medical students enrolled in three medical schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The previously validated Attitude Towards Plagiarism questionnaire was used to evaluate approval (i.e. a positive attitude) and disapproval of plagiarism (i.e. a negative attitude) among medical students. Furthermore, this study evaluated whether attending medical writing courses or courses in medical ethics influenced medical students’ attitudes towards plagiarism. Results: A total of 551 students participated in the study (response rate = 73.5%). A significant association was found between mean negative and positive attitude scores and grade point average (GPA; P = 0.004 and 0.007, respectively). Students attending medical ethics courses had higher mean negative attitude scores compared to students who did not attend such courses (odds ratio = 2.369, 95% confidence interval: 1.540–3.645; P <0.001). Attending medical ethics courses was associated with a significantly more negative attitude towards plagiarism (P <0.001, each). Conclusion: The majority of medical students in Saudi Arabia included in this study indicated a highly negative attitude towards plagiarism. A higher GPA, the authoring of a published manuscript and attending courses in medical ethics were associated with negative attitudes towards plagiarism among medical students.

Authors and Affiliations

Abdulmajeed S. Alhadlaq, Abdulmajeed Bin Dahmash, Feras Alshomer

Keywords

Related Articles

Effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on Cytokine Production by Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Tis study investigates the in vitro effect of the antioxidant drug, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Methods: PBMC were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque, and stim...

Papillary Carcinoma of theThyroid Presenting Primarily as Cervical Lymphadenopathy An approach to management

Papillary carcinoma of thyroid usually presents as a palpable thyroid mass. Tis could be associated with pain, hoarseness, stridor or dysphagia. Rarely, it presents solely as cervical lympadenopthy in the presence of an...

The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure: A prospective comparative study of undergraduate medical students’ and interns’ perceptions in Oman

Objectives: This study aimed to assess perceptions of the educational environment in Oman among medical undergraduate students and interns using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) tool. Methods: This...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP678538
  • DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2020.20.01.011
  • Views 271
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Abdulmajeed S. Alhadlaq, Abdulmajeed Bin Dahmash, Feras Alshomer (2020). Plagiarism Perceptions and Attitudes Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 20(1), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-678538