Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding plagiarism of postgraduate students in Myanmar.

Information regarding the prevalence of plagiarism and its contributing factors are limited in Myanmar. We aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported plagiarism practices of postgraduate students in Myanmar's universities and determine the factors associated with plagiarism. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study during 2019-2020. The questionnaire contained: 1) demographics, 2) knowledge on plagiarism, 3) attitudes toward plagiarism, and 4) self-reported plagiarism practices. We calculated attitudes and plagiarism severity scores (PSS). We conducted multiple linear regression analyses and binary logistic regression analyses. A p-value <0.05 denoted statistical significance. We enrolled 217 participants. Of our participants, 37.6% self-reported at least one plagiarism act. The mean attitude score (S.D.) was 62.24 (10.44), (maximum score was 92, higher scores represent disapproval of plagiarism). This attitude score reflects only a moderate attitude toward disapproval of plagiarism. The attitude score was significantly higher for doctoral students (9.2%) than master students (90.8%); p = 0.003; and for participants with publications (13.4%) compared with those without publications (86.6%); p = 0.005. The attitude score was a significant predictor of the PSS. We conclude that there is evidence to suggest that plagiarism represents a significant ethical issue in Myanmar and recommend that Myanmar universities provide training in responsible conduct of research.

Assessing Research Ethics Committees in Myanmar: Results of a Self-Assessment Tool.

BACKGROUND: Human subject research has increased in Myanmar since 2010 and accordingly, the establishment of research ethics committees (RECs) have increased to review these research studies. However, characteristics that reflect the operations of RECs in Myanmar have not been assessed. OBJECTIVES: To assess the structures and processes of RECs at Medical Institutions in Myanmar. METHODS: We used a self-assessment tool for RECs operating in low and middle-income countries. This tool consists of the following ten domains: organizational aspects, membership and ethics training, submission arrangements and materials, meeting minutes, policies referring to review procedures, review of specific protocol and informed consent items, communication a decision, continuing review, REC resources, and institutional commitment. We distributed this self-administered questionnaire to RECs from 15 Medical Institutions in Myanmar and one representative from each REC completed this questionnaire and returned it anonymously. We used descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics to analyse the data. RESULTS: Out of maximum 200 points, the total mean score for Myanmar Medical Institutions was 112.6 ± 12.77, which is lower compared to the aggregate mean score of 137.4 ± 35.8 obtained from RECs in other countries. Domains in which the average percentage score was less than 60% included organizational commitment, membership and ethics training, continuing review and REC resources. Many RECs have a diverse membership and appropriate gender balance but, lacked essential policies. CONCLUSION: The results show that for Myanmar RECs there is significant room for improvement in their "structures and processes" as well as the extent of institutionl commitment. The self-assessment tool proved to be valuable method to assess the quality of RECs.

Current Status of Research Ethics Capacity in Myanmar.

Myanmar has recently surfaced from total military rule and efforts at conducting research to enhance the health of the population has increased during the recent democratization process, both from the military and civil sectors as well as support from international agencies. International guidelines mandate that such research requires prior ethics review in accordance with international standards. Previous commentators have expressed concerns, however, regarding the degree of adequate training in research ethics for investigators, the optimal functioning of Research Ethics Committees (RECs), and the extent of responsible conduct in research in low and middle-income countries. Such concerns might also be applicable to Myanmar, especially since it has recently emerged from a long period of military rule where there has been lack of basic freedoms and human rights abuses. We herein review the current gaps in research ethics capacity in Myanmar, the status of the existing RECs and the current efforts to establish training programs to enhance capacity in research ethics.