A REVIEW OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
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Abstract
Purpose:The aim of the present is to examine academic dishonesty in exams and in preparing homework assignments among university students.
Method: Mixed method and purposeful sampling was used in the present study. Hundred thirty-two female students and 82 male students studying at the department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling and Psychology, participated in the study.
The Academic Dishonesty Tendency Scale and open-ended questions were conducted to assess student views on academic dishonesty.
Results: No significant differences were found in terms of gender, grade levels and between students studying at the department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling and the department of Psychology. The academic dishonesty tendencies regarding citation, of students studying in English were significantly lower than those studying in Turkish. On the other hand, a high number of students stated that they decided whether to cheat or not, or help cheat, according to the relevant circumstances, and that they viewed cheating as a form of cooperation.
Open ended questions showed that the rate of students who didn’t cheat and refused to help cheat, was higher than those who did. Also, students with a grade point average of 3 and higher, reported the lowest scores in cheating, dishonesty tendency at research and process of write up, and dishonesty tendency towards reference.
The rate of students who refused to cheat or help others cheat in exams was higher than the rate of students who accepted to cheat and help others cheat. Acceptance rates are as follows: cheating 21.96%, helping others cheat 23.36%.
Conclusion and recommendations: One of the main reasons behind academic dishonesty is peer pressure. Emphasis on principles such as honesty and fairness will help students internalize these values and generalize them in their academic lives. Teachers, instructors should be cautious to apply a fair grading system and to not unknowingly reward academic dishonesty.
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