EFL Students: Factors Contributing to Online Plagiarism

Abstract

This chapter reports on a survey study that investigates English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) students’ experiences with online plagiarism and the factors associated with these practices among the students. With reference to the important factors concerning plagiarism identified in previous studies, the survey focused on students’ awareness of the definition of plagiarism, their perceptions of text borrowing, possible causes of their plagiarism, the role of print versus electronic media in plagiarism, and teachers’ policies and enforcement of the policies. Based on the findings from the survey, the chapter presents the students’ perspectives and provides suggestions on ways to prevent students from online plagiarism. It is hoped that the chapter will contribute to a series of dialogues regarding text borrowing by presenting students’ experiences and points of view.