Knowledge, attitudes, and plagiarism-related behaviors among postgraduate medical trainees: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: 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. Material and Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.