Exploring the Causes of Plagiarism among Post Graduate Research Students- A Phenomenological Case Study Approach

The study aimed to unearth the reasons that influence university students plagiarize assignments. A phenomenological case approach was adopted. Sixty-seven participants were selected from Faculty of Education a public university, located in Karachi, Pakistan. They took part semi-structured interviews. obtained data analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings uncovered most lacked deep understanding different types academic plagiarism, and practical skills evade it. Prevalent sources information for preparing assignments included websites followed by research papers, e-books, project reports, without verifying quality. common have influenced weak language writing skills, easy access online resources, conventional assignments, inadequate digital literacy, short time-frame, challenge balance personal, professional, life. In conclusion, plagiarism is conscious act coupled with indirect pressures scattered academia. It recommended promote culture honesty among learners. this regard, courses on preventing reading, should be integrated as pre-requisite postgraduate degree. also proposed help learners embracing networking ownership learning. Furthermore, contextual literacy framework introduced.