scholarly journals Can we detect contract cheating using existing assessment data? Applying crime prevention theory to an academic integrity issue

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Clare ◽  
Sonia Walker ◽  
Julia Hobson
Keyword(s):  
Crime Prevention ◽  
Academic Integrity ◽  
Assessment Data ◽  
Contract Cheating ◽  
Prevention Theory ◽  
Integrity Issue

scholarly journals An examination of factors related to plagiarism and a five-year follow-up of plagiarism at an Australian university

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy J Curtis ◽  
Razma Popal
Keyword(s):  
Academic Integrity ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Present Survey ◽  
Student Plagiarism ◽  
Perceived Seriousness ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Integrity Issue

In this paper we report the results of a survey of student plagiarism carried out at the University of Western Sydney (UWS). This survey examined rates of plagiarism,understanding of plagiarism, perceived seriousness of plagiarism, and factors thought to be related to plagiarism such as the pressure students place on themselves to achieve high grades. Students who achieved higher grades plagiarised less than students who had lower grades. Perceived seriousness of plagiarism, students' competitiveness, and students' self-imposed pressure to achieve high grades were correlated negatively with incidence of plagiarism. Perceived seriousness of plagiarism mediated the relationship between self-imposed pressure to achieve good grades and rates of plagiarism. The data from the present survey (conducted in 2009) were compared with data from comparable students who completed the same survey at UWS five years earlier (2004). The comparison between the 2009 and 2004 data suggested a reduction in prevalence of plagiarism and an increase in both understanding and perceived seriousness of plagiarism between 2004 and 2009. We suggest that plagiarism may be reduced by means of educational programs that promote the perception of plagiarism as a serious academic integrity issue.

scholarly journals Why internet users’ perceptions of viewing child exploitation material matter for prevention policies

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Hunn ◽  
Caroline Spiranovic ◽  
Jeremy Prichard ◽  
Karen Gelb
Keyword(s):  
Crime Prevention ◽  
Situational Crime Prevention ◽  
Social Attitudes ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Material Matter ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Child Exploitation ◽  
First Time ◽  
Sizeable Minority ◽  
Prevention Theory

There are claims that the societal appetite for ‘child exploitation material’ is increasing. Yet, Australia’s policy response does not include initiatives to dissuade potential offenders from deliberately viewing child exploitation material for the first time (onset). To critically examine this issue, this paper draws on Situational Crime Prevention theory. It argues that (a) many first-time child exploitation material viewers fit the Situational Crime Prevention construct of the Opportunistic Offender and (b) suggests that current policy overlooks the kinds of non-instrumental factors that increase the risk of onset for this group, including doubts about the criminality and harmfulness of viewing child exploitation material. The paper then empirically examines social attitudes to child exploitation material viewing by presenting the findings of a survey of 504 Australian internet users. Results indicate that a sizeable minority of the participants were: unaware that it is a crime to view certain types of child exploitation material in Australia; and held doubts about the harmfulness of viewing child exploitation material. These findings are used to reflect on how the presence of these non-instrumental factors among ordinary internet users may affect the offending readiness of the Opportunistic Offender. Policy implications are then briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Academic integrity and contract cheating policy analysis of colleges in Ontario, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda M. Stoesz ◽  
Sarah Elaine Eaton ◽  
Jennifer Miron ◽  
Emma J. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Policy Analysis ◽  
Academic Integrity ◽  
Contract Cheating

scholarly journals Contract cheating: an increasing challenge for global academic community arising from COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guzyal Hill ◽  
Jon Mason ◽  
Alex Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Academic Integrity ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching Styles ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Contract Cheating ◽  
Online Assessments ◽  
Multi Level

AbstractDue to COVID-19, universities with limited expertise with the digital environment had to rapidly transition to online teaching and assessment. This transition did not create a new problem but has offered more opportunities for contract cheating and diversified the types of such services. While universities and lecturers were adjusting to the new teaching styles and developing new assessment methods, opportunistic contract cheating providers have been offering $50 COVID-19 discounts and students securing the services of commercial online tutors to take their online exams or to take advantage of real-time assistance from ‘pros’ while sitting examinations. The article contributes to the discourse on contract cheating by reporting on an investigation of the scope and scale of the growing problems related to academic integrity exacerbated by an urgent transition to online assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dark reality is the illegal services are developing at a faster pace than the systems required to curb them, as demonstrated by the results. The all-penetrating issues indicate systemic failures on a global scale that cannot be addressed by an individual academic or university acting alone. Multi-level solutions including academics, universities and the global community are essential. Future research must focus on developing a model of collaboration to address this problem on several levels, taking into account (1) individual academics, (2) universities, (3) countries and (4) international communities.

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