GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the role of information professionals (library educators) in dissuading plagiarism in Rivers State-owned universities, namely Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The theoretical frameworks adopted for this study were the Deterrent Theory of Plagiarism or Cheating and Rational Self-Interest, which is a social contract theory where students and researchers consider and act according to what profits them. The target population is comprised of all thirty-three (33) information professionals (library educators) who lecture in library and information science departments at Rivers State-owned universities. The accessible population was 88%, which represented 29 library educators at the two universities. A self-report survey (questionnaire) was designed and administered. The data was analyzed using a simple percentage method. The study found that Turnitin and Checker X are the most common software used by Rivers State universities to curb plagiarism. The study also found that students and researchers are not taught about plagiarism as a mandatory course, which has led to the proliferation of the plagiarism act in Rivers State Universities. Similarly, the study indicated that library educators should employ more strategies that would dissuade plagiarism and boost the confidence of students and researchers in having good and original articles of their own.

KEYWORDS: Plagiarism Information Professionals Library Educators Plagiarism Software and Plagiarism Policy