Evaluation Of Copyright Awareness among Undergraduate Students: A case study of Africa Nazarene University, Kenya

Abstract

Copyright law is important because it boosts creativity and accelerates economic growth. Despite this, it is not clear whether information users are aware of the law. It is argued that in Kenya, the copyright law is not as effective as expected since no proper mechanisms have been put in place to curb infringement of copyright. The use of technology protective such as turntin software ensures that students do not plagiarize other people work. In view of this, the study sought to investigate the extent of copyright awareness among undergraduate student at Nazarene University with a view of recommendations to improve their awareness. The specific objectives of the study were to: establish the level of knowledge students have on issues of copyright; ascertain ways in which copyright is infringed by students; establish the factors that prompt students to infringe copyright; establish the perception of students towards copyright; identify the challenges students faced in understanding issues relating to copyright; recommend ways and means of improving copyright awareness among student library users. The study used quantitative research method. Data was collected using the questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). It was found that the respondents' level of awareness of copyright was quite impressive; majority of respondents obtained information on copyright from sources other than at the university; students infringed copyright through plagiarism, photocopy and piracy. Majority of the respondents felt that copyright law was very necessary. It is recommended that the copyright programmes carried out at Nazarene University should continue; a unit on copyright should be introduced in the common courses taught at the university; and more information materials should be purchased and made available to provide users an equal opportunity to utilize them