Awareness and Utility of Open-Source Plagiarism Checking Tools Among Social Science Research Scholars of B.R. Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar

A Survey Study

Abstract

With the increasing emphasis on academic integrity and ethical research practices, the use of plagiarism detection software has become essential in maintaining the credibility of scholarly work. This study aims to assess the awareness and utility of open-source plagiarism checking tools among social science research scholars at B.R. Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU), Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Through a quantitative survey of 120 participants, the findings reveal that while a significant portion of researchers are moderately aware of these tools, there remains a considerable gap in comprehensive awareness. The majority of respondents occasionally use these tools, with Grammarly being the most favoured. Notably, 80.82% of participants view these tools positively and very positively regarding their impact on research quality. However, barriers such as technical issues, lack of awareness, and complexity hinder broader adoption. The study highlights the need for improved education and support to enhance the utilization of plagiarism checking tools.