Knowledge, attitudes, and plagiarism-related behaviors among postgraduate medical trainees: A cross-sectional study
Plagiarism is a significant breach of academic integrity and remains a concern in medical education. Despite efforts, a gap persists between knowledge and ethical writing practices. Here, we aim to assess the knowledge and attitude towards plagiarism among postgraduate medical students at a medical college in Karnataka, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 medical postgraduate students enrolled (Complete enumeration). Data was collected using a pre-validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were applied. Response rate was 91.4%. Most participants (91.4%) correctly defined plagiarism, while only 41.2% recognized salami publication. Although 76.9% identified self-plagiarism, attitudes were inconsistent, with nearly half willing to co-author studies involving plagiarism. The median knowledge score was 6 [IQR (Inter-quartile range): 5–7], while attitude scores indicated a variable ethical orientation. No statistical association was found between knowledge and attitude, with variables including gender, age, academic year, or prior publication experience. While postgraduate students demonstrated adequate knowledge of plagiarism, their attitudes did not consistently align. Regular training in scientific writing, ethical research practices, and case-based learning is recommended to foster academic honesty.