Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the magnitude and predictors of academic cheating and to understand relevant perspectives among South Korean nursing students.
Methods: Survey responses of 655 undergraduate nursing students from five institutions were analyzed. Demographics, psychological factors of an individual (perceived seriousness of cheating, ethical attitudes to cheating, neutralization behaviors, knowledge of academic integrity and policy) and contextual factors (perceived prevalence of peers' cheating, atmosphere of academic integrity, atmosphere of whistle-blowing, moral support of families and friends) were measured in relation with 11 exam-cheating and 15 assignment-cheating behaviors. Also reasons for cheating and importance of various interventions to discourage cheating were questioned.
Results: 50% and 78% of the students were engaged in, respectively, exam-cheating and assignment cheating behaviors. Perceived seriousness of cheating (OR=0.74, 0.64) and perceived prevalence of peers' cheating (OR=3.02, 6.66) were significant predictors for both exam-cheating and assignment cheating. A higher grade, a lack of time, a better job, and a lack of motivation were reported as a major reason for cheating. Multiple interventions were considered important to discourage cheating from different stakeholders.
Conclusions: An alarming level of a cheating problem was found among South Korean nursing students, requiring immediate attention. As the nursing workforce market is becoming global, the cheating issue in nursing education should be managed under collaborative efforts of nursing faculty members around the globe.
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