Plagiarism avoiding in students’ written works in higher education institutions in Latvia

Abstract

Plagiarism deterring is common problem for most Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) around the world, but ways this problem could be solved are different. Real situation in HEIs of particular country depend on many aspects, starting from the state policies, institutional regulations and continuing by the skills of proper academic writing and moral values of students and teachers. The state policies and institutional procedures, used for plagiarism prevention in HEIs in Latvia, are analysed in this paper. Also, there are presented results of questioning of students and teachers on awareness of identified plagiarism prevention measures, reasons of plagiarism in students’ written works and measures to help students to avoid this form of academic dishonesty. On the base of comparison of official requirements and real situation from point of view of students and teachers participated in the survey it is developed discussion on impact of applied plagiarism prevention measures and ways for its improvement, formulated proposals for HEIs in Latvia and beyond to be avoided plagiarism in students’ written works.