Project-based learning and its contribution to avoid plagiarism of university students

This study presents the results of a documentary research on recent approaches related to the causes and solutions of university student plagiarism. It contains a classification of causes according to the level on which they occur. Thus, based on the results of a direct observation, the study shows that in Romania, where project-based learning is promoted, the students’ habits to unethically use Internet based sources is developed rather than academic education, with the requirement for pupils to elaborate school projects. This is proposed as an additional cause of plagiarism by part of the university students. The habit of copypasting available materials online is difficult to counter efficiently, but it can be corrected and directed towards the acquisition of new knowledge. Plagiarism is no longer efficient for students when they are explicitly asked to make comments about materials which are already available online.