scholarly journals Academic Misconduct: An Investigation into Male Students’ Perceptions, Experiences & Attitudes towards Cheating and Plagiarism in a Middle Eastern University Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal M. Tayan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Academic Dishonesty ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Academic Misconduct ◽  
The Internet ◽  
First Year ◽  
Male Undergraduate ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The University

Academic misconduct in many educational institutions in the Middle East is an inherent problem. This has been particularly true amongst the university student population. The proliferation of the Internet and the ownership of mobile and electronic devices, have, in part, witnessed rates of cheating, plagiarism and academic misconduct cases steadily increase across higher education contexts. Though the growth of the Internet as an information source and gateway to knowledge has increased substantially in recent years, it has, however, opened up a plethora of varying forms and rates of academic dishonesty. This study was conducted through an online Likert scale questionnaire. Its purpose was to investigate first year male undergraduate students’ attitudes, experiences and perceptions towards plagiarism and cheating in a university located in Saudi Arabia. The study aimed at addressing themes in relation to the meaning, forms, source, frequency and reasons of cheating and plagiarism. The study indicates that cheating and plagiarism is common among students, while a need to address student awareness and clarify student expectations towards academic integrity was also identified. The study also proposes several recommendations to alleviate the levels of academic misconduct, be it cheating in exams or plagiarising content, in the Saudi university context.

scholarly journals Metamorphoses Creative-Developmental Fairy Tale Therapy Against the Dangers of the Internet. A Series of Activities for Young Undergraduate Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-100
Author(s):  
Irén Godó
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Fairy Tale ◽  
Therapy Session ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Media Environment ◽  
The Media ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The University

This paper is about the practical application of Metamorphoses creative-developmental fairy tale therapy, which is presented based on a three-session Metamorphoses creative-developmental fairy tale therapy session. The sessions were conducted between April and May 2021, among students (n=24) of the University of Debrecen, who were previously not familiar with fairy tale therapy, nor with the works of Ildikó Boldizsár. Through the media environment of the session, we also reflected together on the effects of internet consumption and the dangers of the internet. The study highlights the students' attitudes towards this method and their participation and activity in the online space. The experiences gained during the 3 sessions and the feedback of the students appear as a guideline to conclude the study. The practical application of the Metamorphoses creative-developmental fairy tale therapy will show whether this methodology has a role to play in higher education.

Contrasting first and final year undergraduate students' plagiarism perceptions to investigate anti-plagiarism measures

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syeda Tuba Javaid ◽  
Sameera Sultan ◽  
John Fitzgerald Ehrich
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Rasch Analysis ◽  
Academic Misconduct ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
First Year ◽  
Ethical Aspects ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Commission ◽  
The University

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of undergraduate students toward plagiarism and its change (if any) during their four-year study at a Pakistani university.Design/methodology/approachThe students who participated were majoring in electrical engineering; there were 106 first-year students and 127 final-year students. The students were asked to complete a plagiarism attitude scale (Harris, 2011) survey and reveal their attitudes toward plagiarism.FindingsRasch analysis was conducted on the scale to optimize its measurement qualities. Analysis indicated no significant changes in the attitude of the students, which remained very lenient and soft toward plagiarism despite the strict policy of the higher education commission of Pakistan and the university. These results indicate that the students lacked an understanding of what constitutes as plagiarism. Therefore, more awareness toward the ethical aspects of plagiarism is needed to reduce academic misconduct.Originality/valuePlagiarism is an academic offense yet very few studies have been conducted to understand the perceptions of the students in order to minimize it.

Correlating entrance data and first year academic performance of students enrolled in the Integrated Master in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Porto

2021 ◽  
pp. 030641902110156
Author(s):  
TMGP Duarte ◽  
AM Lopes ◽  
LFM da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
First Year ◽  
Female Type ◽  
The University ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Over Time

Understanding how the academic performance of first year undergraduate students is influenced by home, personal and institutional factors is fundamental to delineate policies able to mitigate failure. This paper investigates possible correlations between the academic performance of students at the end of high school with their achievements at the end of first year university. Data for students in the Integrated Master in Mechanical Engineering (MIEM) program within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto are analysed for the period 2016/2017 to 2019/2020. The students’ performance is measured by two metrics and the students are structured as a whole and by groups, according to their gender (Male/Female), type of secondary school (Public/Private), living place (Away/Home) and the rank of MIEM in their application list of options (Option 1/Option 2–6). The information is organized statistically and possible correlations between the data are investigated. The analysis reveals limited correlation between the two metrics, meaning that all students may exhibit good or poor results at the end of first year in MIEM, independent of their status at entrance. An unanticipated pattern is exhibited for the group Option 2–6, since it shows that, despite entering into MIEM without top application marks, the students in this group can perform as well as the others. This behavior is consistent over time.

scholarly journals Bridging the Gap: Understanding the Differing Research Expectations of First-Year Students and Professor

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meg Raven
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Research Students ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Instruction Strategies ◽  
Research Instruction ◽  
The University

Objective: This study sought to better understand the research expectations of first-year students upon beginning university study, and how these expectations differed from those of their professors. Most academic librarians observe that the research expectations of these two groups differ considerably and being able to articulate where these differences are greatest may help us provided more focused instruction, and allow us to work more effectively with professors and student support services. Methods: 317 first-year undergraduate students and 75 professors at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS were surveyed to determine what they each expected of first-year student research. Students were surveyed on the first day of term so as to best understand their research expectations as they transitioned from high school to university. Results: The gulf between student and professor research expectations was found to be considerable, especially in areas such as time required for reading and research, and the resources necessary to do research. While students rated their preparedness for university as high, they also had high expectations related to their ability to use non-academic sources. Not unexpectedly, the majority of professors believed that students are not prepared to do university-level research, they do not take enough responsibility for their own learning, they should use more academic research sources, and read twice as much as students believe they should. Conclusions: By better understanding differing research expectations, students can be guided very early in their studies about appropriate academic research practices, and librarians and professors can provide students with improved research instruction. Strategies for working with students, professors and the university community are discussed.

scholarly journals Modernising Anatomy Teaching: Which Resources Do Students Rely On?

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 238212052095515
Author(s):  
Billy C Leung ◽  
Matthew Williams ◽  
Christopher Horton ◽  
Thomas DA Cosker
Keyword(s):  
3D Models ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Computer Assisted Learning ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
The University

The way in which we learn anatomy has changed exponentially over the decades and students now have access to lecture notes, textbooks, computer-assisted programmes, and a wide variety of internet based information. This study explored which resources were the most (and least) useful for a group of first year, undergraduate, medical students, with minimal prior content exposure (aged 18 and 19 years old, n = 76), over an 18 month period. Anatomy websites were found to be the most useful (30%), followed by tutorials (20%) and lectures (19%). A total of 13% found the university computer-assisted learning (CAL) platform least useful. We subsequently enhanced our ‘urogenital’ CAL anatomy module, with inclusion of new and updated images, videos and tutorials, as well as, digital and printed 3D-models. A post-intervention survey (n = 81) showed an increase from 12% to 27% for CAL as being most useful, and a decrease from 13% to 3% as being least useful. Our results provided a snapshot of students’ preferences in studying anatomy, and highlighted the importance of digital platforms and the need for evaluating our own learning resources. We must be mindful that there is an increasing tendency for students to rely on the Internet for information, which may expose them to unfiltered and unreliable content. We conclude that educators must be aware of the spectrum of learning resources used by students, to ensure that our own Institutional eLearning platforms are optimised to meet the diverse needs of learners.

Piping hot dogs: a case of a Malaysian franchise

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Sethela June ◽  
Asmat-Nizam Abdul-Talib
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
New Business ◽  
International Franchising

Subject area Internationalization, entrepreneurship, franchising, international marketing. Study level/applicability First year undergraduate students of Management courses. Case overview This case is about a newly established fast food company that expands very rapidly in Malaysia. Growing from merely a single pushcart, the company has evolved into one of the most successful purely-local food franchise businesses with almost 100 franchises throughout the country and abroad. The company keeps on looking at bigger expansion plans abroad and eyeing the Middle Eastern markets. Expected learning outcomes After carrying out this exercise, students are expected to be able: to understand how a new business start up grows; to provide a simple illustration on how internationalization of small firms can took place; to analyze the various factors of considerations prior to internationalization; to identify the basic issues of international franchising and how the system works. Supplementary materials Teaching note.

Why Do Students Engage in Examination Malpractice? The University for Development Studies Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
John Dadzie Thompson ◽  
Gilbert Ansoglenang ◽  
Suuk Laar
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Academic Dishonesty ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Development Studies ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The University

Any form of examination malpractice is unacceptable, fraudulent, and signifies an act of academic dishonesty with significant punitive consequences. This paper investigated the reasons why students engage in examination malpractice during examinations at the University for Development Studies (UDS). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design for this research and targeted undergraduate students of the Tamale Campus of the UDS. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 278 out of a total student population of 6,729 for the study. They responded mainly to questionnaire and a few open ended questions to provide the needed data for analysis. The findings suggest that (i) smuggling of prepared notes on pieces of papers (foreign material) into the examination hall,(ii) writing of examination answers on palms, thighs and other body parts, and (iii) communication by seeking for answers from colleagues are the three topmost forms/methods students engage to cheat during examinations. The desire to obtain good grades just as the more intelligent students pushes some students to cheat during examinations. The introduction of scanners and e-search software, the spacing of sitting arrangements, installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in large examination halls may help curb cheating.

Developing e-learning for interprofessional education

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 102-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tunde Varga-Atkins ◽  
Helen Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
First Year ◽  
Team Working ◽  
Content Development ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Development Evaluation ◽  
Online Format ◽  
The University

An evidence-based, interprofessional educational course involving first-year undergraduate students studying medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy has been piloted at the University of Liverpool. Part of the content was developed in an online format. To capture the development process and the e-learning writing experience, a focus group was arranged for the content writers. The session was audio-recorded and tapes were transcribed. All the data were subjected to thematic analysis. Twenty-three sub-themes were identified in the 72 comments. These were grouped under six themes, corresponding to the developmental stages of e-learning. The highest number of comments fell under the theme of preparation, followed by content development, evaluation, general design and structure, and finally delivery. Team working contributed to the success of the writing process, reflecting the theme of working interprofessionally.

scholarly journals A comparison of a first and third year UG enterprise unit: lessons from experiential learning and interdisciplinarity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Sanchez-Romaguera ◽  
Robert A Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Interdisciplinary Education ◽  
First Year ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Enterprise Education ◽  
Growth Of Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of Manchester

Drawing from several years of experience, this work describes lessons learnt in designing, delivering and assessing two interdisciplinary enterprise units offered undergraduate students from any discipline studing at the University of Manchester (UK). Both units are electives (optional). One unit is delivered to first year undergrdaute students whereas the other unit is delivered to third/fourth year undergraduate students. Experiential learning and interdisciplinary cohorts are core aspects of both units. Students work on ‘real-world’ projects to develop a credible and competitive solution within a tight dead-line. In this paper, findings are drawn from data collected from staff and teaching assistants observations, students’ reflective diaries and students’ feedback. Findings showed that in general, students at both levels, year 1 and year 3/4, regarded the experience challenging at first due to the ‘unusual’ learning environment when compared to the education that most students have experienced prior to the units here discussed. However, most students highly regarded the interdisciplinary experiential learning experience. The paper contributes to the growth of knowledge and aids understanding of how experiential learning and interdisciplinarity have been effectively combined and introduced in the university curriculum. Although this works focused on enterprise education the experience-based guidance here described is also applicable to a much wider range of situations and academic areas of study. Keywords: Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education; Employability; Experiential learning; Interdisciplinary education;

scholarly journals Differences in Egyptian Students’ Attitudes to Academic Dishonesty and Related Behaviors: The Case of Business Students

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-185
Author(s):  
Dina Metwally
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Academic Dishonesty ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Academic Cheating ◽  
Academic Behaviors ◽  
University Admission ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Research Findings

Academic cheating is one type of unethical academic behaviors or academic dishonesty. The level of cheating among undergraduate students has tremendously increased. Academic cheating is crucial as it affects the credibility and predictive accuracy in university admission criteria. Despite the concern with academic dishonesty (cheating), most research has been conducted in Western context. Western research has been useful in providing in-depth understanding of causes of academic cheating however; it is uncertain whether the same research findings are applicable to Arab/Middle Eastern countries. This study focuses on academic cheating among Egyptian undergraduate students. The aim is to explore differences in students’ attitudes and reported behaviors to cheating across academic years. Research findings report no significant difference among business students with regard to behaviors and attitudes to academic dishonesty. Except for few statements, students have similar responses to the used scenarios. Findings of this study have important implications to the faculty and its staff. More attention should be given to the communication of right academic behaviors to students, students’ evaluation and assessment, invigilation system, punishment of wrong behaviors, and evaluation of academics.

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