Plagiarism, students' motivation and students' performance among Makerere University students third year BIOP

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the impact of plagiarism on student’s motivation and performance. The objectives of the study were: To find out how Plagiarism has affected students' motivation. To find out how motivation affects students' performance and to find out how Plagiarism has affected students' performance. The researcher used a correlation study design to examine the relationship between the three variables in the study. The first hypothesis stated that there is a significant relationship between plagiarism and student performance among students. Findings showed that there is significant positive relationship between plagiarism and student performance (r= .423**, p= .000). The second hypothesis stated that there is a significant relationship between plagiarism and student motivation among students. Findings showed that there is significant positive relationship between plagiarism and student motivation (r= .423**, p= .000). The third hypothesis stated that student’s motivation and student performance among students are significantly related to each other. The results in the Table 4 above show that there is a significant weak positive relationship between student’s motivation and student performance (r= .368**, P =0.000). it was recommended that: there is need to create an effective monitory system to monitor the activities of students while conducting their academic works such as research works to allow them enough time to conceptualize their topics and also get familiar with their topic under the study, so that they increase their level of student performance and involvement in academic works and the University therefore needs to come up with policies for creating a motivating environment for students. This can be created by creating a soothing environment for students for instance in instances where students have complained about internal supervision, it is pertinent that the university adopts external supervisors to examine the students works which will help in reduction of unscrupulous acts by students.