ERIC Number: ED409724
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997-Mar
Pages: 33
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Plagiarism and Academic Writing of NNS Learners.
LoCastro, Virginia; Masuko, Mayumi
A study investigated attitudes toward and practices of plagiarism of Japanese college students writing in English. Data were drawn from two senior theses written in English and two in Japanese, 30 other student academic papers, interviews with students, and a questionnaire administered to 46 undergraduate and graduate students. In both Japanese-language and English-language senior theses, unattributed quotations or paraphrases were common, in some cases comprising more of the paper than the student's own work. Over half the additional student essays examined had large quantities of plagiarism, sometimes with the body of the paper copied entirely from an original article. Overall, it was found that sources were given only, and not consistently, when quoting directly. No reporting verbs or attribution were used when paraphrasing, original texts were reworked with tell-tale "mistakes" added, and first and final paragraphs were generally the student's. In interviews, students cited lack of time as reason for plagiarizing, or initially denied plagiarism. Questionnaire responses indicate rationalization about plagiarizing, with some blame placed on teachers. Sample writing and student responses are included. Features of the Japanese academic context that are problematic for English writing instruction are examined briefly, and implications for teachers are discussed. Contains 22 references. (MSE)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A