Motivations to Cheat During COVID-19

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 2:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Division J - Section 1: College Student Learning and Development in College and Beyond Roundtable 2 (Table 7)

Abstract

Academic dishonesty is a significant challenge in education, with many students admitted to cheating at least once. This study aimed to explore university students’ motivations to commit academic dishonesty during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives were to 1) measure students’ perceptions of opportunities to cheat, 2) moral stance on cheating, 3) opportunities taken to cheat, and 4) relationships between motivations to cheat and selected demographic factors. Students with higher moral standards were less likely to cheat. Understanding students’ views of integrity helps educators identify those who might benefit from constructive and targeted interventions to avoid engaging in opportunities to cheat. Administrators should build supportive environments that encourage students and others to uphold institutional values of integrity and academic honesty.

Authors

• Julysa Abril Benitez, Texas A&M University

• Gary Wingenbach, Texas A&M University