Role of Librarians in erasing the offence of plagiarism with the anti-plagiarism software: A case study of Gauhati University Nitya Nanda Pathak Konika Malakar Assistant Librarian Library Assistant K.K.H.Library, Gauhati University K.K.H.Library, Gauhati University npathak@gauhati.ac.in konikamalakar@yahoo.com

Abstract This paper attempts to highlight the vital role played by the librarians in erasing the menace of plagiarism with the anti plagiarism software. Although the anti plagiarism software Urkund has been provided by INFLIBNET centre to all the universities in India, we have limited our discussion to Gauhati University. We attempt to show the crucial role played by the librarians in Gauhati University in helping to reduce the offence of plagiarism from 34% up to by 12% approximately.

UGC mandated on 1st of June, 2009 The University Grant Commission (UGC) in India have decided to take corrective steps in order to guard the amount of work plagiarized and ensure the quality of research work. The anti plagiarism software have been adopted by the UGC to locate instances of plagiarism in a research work. According to UGC Regulation 2009, it is compulsory to check similarity of each Ph. D thesis before awarding Ph. D Degree.

Purpose of the study To highlight the role played by the librarians in Gauhati University in rubbing away plagiarism which has been considered as a punishable crime. The power and responsibility in erasing plagiarism has been entrusted with the respective research guides as well as the librarians. The paper would further show how with the use of the anti- plagiarism software URKUND, the crime of plagiarism has been brought under control in Gauhati University

Why people plagiarise ? Lack of time/Planning To influence others Pressures to publish (for career development) Competition (Colleague pressures) Fear of failure Lack of Knowledge Plagiarising is a punishable crime !!

Which situations constitute Plagiarizing ? Writing or copying a short piece from a source exactly without stating who the original author is. Using someone else’s exact words without using quotation marks of a citation. Reading several texts and reworking the contents of these into a new text without citing any of the sources. Translate another author’s text into a different language and using the result without citing the source. Making use of an existing text without stating who the original author is, replacing words with synonymous terms or adding individual words and so on.

Plagiarism Policy of Gauhati University The researchers are asked to polish the research works. Central Library issues a Plagiarism verification certificate. This certificate is submitted with the thesis for acquiring Ph. D degree. Ph D scholars are allowed to take content from other sources not exceeding 20%. URKUND is a completely automated system against plagiarism and is being successfully used at Gauhati University as well as in all Indian Universities.

Similarity/Originality checked in GU

Similarity Report by URKUND Range of ℅ No. Of Researchers 1--5 104 6--10 39 11--15 33 16--20 12 More than 20 62 Total 250

No. Of Similarity Reports having more than 20% Months No. of similarity reports having more than 20% Percentage Jan'2016 13 34.37 Feb'2016 8 20.82 March'2016 11 16.66 April'2016 14 19.51 May'2016 5 7.4 June'2016 7 12 July'2016 6 11.11 August'2016 12.5

Findings and Summary Researchers also need transformation and tuning the instrumentally of training and retraining activities, so that they may be able to maintain the poise and productivity of the research work. Majority of the respondent are of the view that they are not informed about Urkund by guides; they have got the information from the university library. Found that about 20% of theses were returned for polishing, the strict measure taken by the library in enhancing high quality research. Such a strict attitude has made the researchers cautious to avoid the offence of plagiarism. Suggestion: At present what we feel is that since number of borrowing from internet had reduced, yet some scholars feel free to do so from the books and unloaded M. Phil and Masters Dissertation which we believe still needs to be tackled.

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