QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
HMEMS80
PORTFOLIO SEMESTER 1
2023
1|Page
,TABLE OF CONTENT
Description 3 Page
numbers
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH STUDY ................................................ ................ ....................... 3
1. Literature review ............................................................... ................ .......................... 3
1.1. Background..................................................................................... ................. 3
1.2. Variables ..................................................................................... .................... 4
1.3. Previous Research....................................................................... ..... ............... 5
2. Problem statement ........................................................................... ........... ............... 6
3. Objectives of the research ......................................................................... .............. .... 7
4. Method of investigation ................................................................... ............ ............... 8
4.1. Research design ........................................................................... ..... .............. 9
4.2. Sampling......................................................................................................... 13
4.3. Data collection ............................................................................ ................... 15
4.4. Data analysis ................................................................................................... 17
5. Final Reflection on the causes, consequences, and prevention of plagiarism............... 19
5.1. Causes of plagiarism....... ...................................... ......................................... 21
5.2. Prevention of plagiarism...... ................................................. ......................... 23
5.3. Consequences of plagiarism.................................................. .......................... 25
6. Ethical Considerations - Research Methodology
7. References ......................................................................... ........................................ 28
2|Page
, TITLE OF THE RESEARCH STUDY:
What are the perceptions of HMEMS80 students on the causes, consequences, and
prevention of plagiarism?
1. Literature review
1.1 Background / Introduction
Traditionally plagiarism has been defined as the act of taking other's ideas and passing them
off as your own (Ramos Quipe et al., 2019) but since then plagiarism has evolved as
Information Technology (IT) advanced. Plagiarism is a complicated problem not only
because it damages intellectual property but also because it is difficult to combat
(Ramos Quipe et al. In higher education, dishonesty is a contentious subject. Plagiarism
amongst students remains a problem globally despite the interventions put in place by
various universities locally and internationally (Louw, 2017; Obeid & Hill, 2017; Stuhmcke,
Booth & Wangmann, 2016; Walker, 2010). Students can access dispersed learning
resources through distance learning, a method and procedure. Distance learning comes in a
wide range of formats; unlike traditional learning systems, it doesn't require the teacher to be
physically present with the students. Its advantages include cost-effectiveness, high-quality
training, flexibility, and self-direction.
The root of plagiarism, being the attitude of students and lecturers towards plagiarism
needs to be investigated further. The lack of a universal definition also adds to the growing
problem of plagiarism. Plagiarism is on the increase and a growing problem for
universities across all academic disciplines (Louw, 2017; Obeid & Hill, 2017; Stuhmcke,
Booth & Wangmann, 2016). Plagiarism is a concern not only in South Africa but
worldwide (Oyewole, Rasheed, & Ogunsina, 2018; Stuhmcke et al., 2016). Intellectual
3|Page
PROPOSAL
QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
HMEMS80
PORTFOLIO SEMESTER 1
2023
1|Page
,TABLE OF CONTENT
Description 3 Page
numbers
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH STUDY ................................................ ................ ....................... 3
1. Literature review ............................................................... ................ .......................... 3
1.1. Background..................................................................................... ................. 3
1.2. Variables ..................................................................................... .................... 4
1.3. Previous Research....................................................................... ..... ............... 5
2. Problem statement ........................................................................... ........... ............... 6
3. Objectives of the research ......................................................................... .............. .... 7
4. Method of investigation ................................................................... ............ ............... 8
4.1. Research design ........................................................................... ..... .............. 9
4.2. Sampling......................................................................................................... 13
4.3. Data collection ............................................................................ ................... 15
4.4. Data analysis ................................................................................................... 17
5. Final Reflection on the causes, consequences, and prevention of plagiarism............... 19
5.1. Causes of plagiarism....... ...................................... ......................................... 21
5.2. Prevention of plagiarism...... ................................................. ......................... 23
5.3. Consequences of plagiarism.................................................. .......................... 25
6. Ethical Considerations - Research Methodology
7. References ......................................................................... ........................................ 28
2|Page
, TITLE OF THE RESEARCH STUDY:
What are the perceptions of HMEMS80 students on the causes, consequences, and
prevention of plagiarism?
1. Literature review
1.1 Background / Introduction
Traditionally plagiarism has been defined as the act of taking other's ideas and passing them
off as your own (Ramos Quipe et al., 2019) but since then plagiarism has evolved as
Information Technology (IT) advanced. Plagiarism is a complicated problem not only
because it damages intellectual property but also because it is difficult to combat
(Ramos Quipe et al. In higher education, dishonesty is a contentious subject. Plagiarism
amongst students remains a problem globally despite the interventions put in place by
various universities locally and internationally (Louw, 2017; Obeid & Hill, 2017; Stuhmcke,
Booth & Wangmann, 2016; Walker, 2010). Students can access dispersed learning
resources through distance learning, a method and procedure. Distance learning comes in a
wide range of formats; unlike traditional learning systems, it doesn't require the teacher to be
physically present with the students. Its advantages include cost-effectiveness, high-quality
training, flexibility, and self-direction.
The root of plagiarism, being the attitude of students and lecturers towards plagiarism
needs to be investigated further. The lack of a universal definition also adds to the growing
problem of plagiarism. Plagiarism is on the increase and a growing problem for
universities across all academic disciplines (Louw, 2017; Obeid & Hill, 2017; Stuhmcke,
Booth & Wangmann, 2016). Plagiarism is a concern not only in South Africa but
worldwide (Oyewole, Rasheed, & Ogunsina, 2018; Stuhmcke et al., 2016). Intellectual
3|Page
