Understanding the Impact of Perceptions of Student Assessment Congruence, Satisfaction, and Peer Behavior on Cheating Incentive in Higher Education

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Understanding the Impact of Perceptions of Student Assessment Congruence, Satisfaction, and Peer Behavior on Cheating Incentive in Higher Education
Language: English
Authors: Josey Chacko, Stephane E. Collignon, Christina L. Green, A. Graham Peace
Source: Journal of Information Systems Education. 2024 35(4):481-494.
Availability: Journal of Information Systems Education. e-mail: editor@jise.org; Web site: http://www.jise.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Congruence (Psychology), Student Evaluation, Student Satisfaction, Student Behavior, Peer Influence, Cheating, Incentives, Information Systems, Undergraduate Students, Undergraduate Study, Business Administration Education, Land Grant Universities, Ethics, Risk, Models
ISSN: 1055-3096
2574-3872
Abstract: Student cheating is a growing concern in all aspects of higher education, particularly in technical programs such as information systems. Technology is also enabling student cheating. This paper utilizes existing literature and various behavioral theories, including incentive theory, the theory of planned behavior, social reciprocity theory, expected utility theory, and deterrence theory to develop a model of cheating incentive in students. The model was tested using a survey of 245 undergraduate students in a decision sciences class at a large US land-grant university, with the results showing that the incentive to cheat is predicted by the student's satisfaction with the assessment process and observed cheating by peers. Perceived evaluation congruence (the perception of the student that the exam measures knowledge of the course material) was, in turn, found to be a precursor of satisfaction. Many institutions focus on increasing the risk of being caught and punished, but focusing on the student's satisfaction with the assessment process as a way of reducing the incentive to cheat is also key. This may begin a virtuous cycle, where greater congruence between the class material and the assessment mechanism leads to greater satisfaction with the assessment, which leads to a reduction in the incentive to cheat. This, in turn, leads to more valid testing data for the instructor, which leads to even greater congruence and satisfaction. The reduction in individual cheating will lead to a reduction in observed cheating, lowering the incentive to cheat even further.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Access URL: https://jise.org/Volume35/n4/JISE2024v35n4pp481-494.pdf
Accession Number: EJ1448468
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Student cheating is a growing concern in all aspects of higher education, particularly in technical programs such as information systems. Technology is also enabling student cheating. This paper utilizes existing literature and various behavioral theories, including incentive theory, the theory of planned behavior, social reciprocity theory, expected utility theory, and deterrence theory to develop a model of cheating incentive in students. The model was tested using a survey of 245 undergraduate students in a decision sciences class at a large US land-grant university, with the results showing that the incentive to cheat is predicted by the student's satisfaction with the assessment process and observed cheating by peers. Perceived evaluation congruence (the perception of the student that the exam measures knowledge of the course material) was, in turn, found to be a precursor of satisfaction. Many institutions focus on increasing the risk of being caught and punished, but focusing on the student's satisfaction with the assessment process as a way of reducing the incentive to cheat is also key. This may begin a virtuous cycle, where greater congruence between the class material and the assessment mechanism leads to greater satisfaction with the assessment, which leads to a reduction in the incentive to cheat. This, in turn, leads to more valid testing data for the instructor, which leads to even greater congruence and satisfaction. The reduction in individual cheating will lead to a reduction in observed cheating, lowering the incentive to cheat even further.
ISSN:1055-3096
2574-3872