Title: Perception of Library and Information Science Educators on Students’ Leveraging Information Synthesis Skills for Plagiarism Solutions in Universities in Abia State, Nigeria
Author(s): Nene F. K. Obasi & Theresa Nse Okon
Publication Year: 2023; Volume 18, Issue 3, pages 67-76

This study was conducted to investigate perception of library and information science educators on leveraging information synthesis skills for plagiarism solutions in universities in Abia State, Nigeria. The study was guided by four specific objectives with their matching research questions. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 33 Library and Information science educators from the two public universities in Abia state, namely, Abia State University, Uturu and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. 25 responses were gotten out of the 33 respondents, indicating 76% response rate. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study showed a high perception of library and information science educators on leveraging the information synthesis skills of ability to read multiple sources and write down notes; ability to summarize contents from the multiple sources, and ability to form new interpretations from contents, for providing sustainable solutions to students’ plagiarism in the universities of Abia State. It also found out that a number of challenges impede on using information synthesis to solving students’ problem of plagiarism. The study therefore concluded that LIS educators believe strongly in using information synthesis to solve the problem of students’ plagiarism especially if the challenges that impede on information synthesis are tackled. The paper recommends among others, collaborative efforts among LIS educators, faculty and universities authorities as well as restructuring of the information skills instruction.