Abstract:
Objectives: This paper aims to identify and critically evaluate the extant knowledge about professors’
perceptions of university students’ plagiarism. A clearer comprehension of these perceptions will allow
us to forward the literature on this topic by pointing avenues for further research and policy.
Methodology: We explored professors' perception of student plagiarism through an integrative
literature review. To undertake this review, we searched the literature from 2000 to 2016 using a range
of keyword combinations related to professors’ perception of plagiarism. Inclusion and exclusion criteria
were implemented to choose abstracts and then full papers. In order to ensure the rigor of the review,
we also employed a systematic analytical framework.
Results: The twenty-two studies identified revealed greatly contrasting and uneven perceptions about
students' plagiarism among professors. Our findings indicate that it is necessary to focus not only on
professors’ perceptions of what plagiarism is as a concept, but also to map to what extent this is an
important, prevalent and severe issue for them. In the same vein, we highlight that such perceptions
and the causes professors attribute to the reasons why students plagiarise may have a strong
relationship with the actions they ultimate undertake to deal with this issue. Finally, we reflect on the
additional problems caused by inconsistent implementation of responses to plagiarism at all academic
levels.