Can Online Academic Integrity Instruction Affect University Students’ Perceptions of and Engagement in Academic Dishonesty? Results From a Natural Experiment in New Zealand

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.569133
• Publication Date: 2021-02-19T15:38:00Z
• Authors: Jason Michael Ste...; Penelope Winifred...; Mohamed Alansari; Grace Lee; Steven Martin Tur...
• Keywords: Academic Dishonesty; Academic Integrity; Sample (material); Affect; Student Engagement

The problem of academic dishonesty is as old it widespread – dating back millennia and perpetrated by the majority students. Attempts to promote integrity, comparison, are relatively new rare stretching only a few hundred years implemented small fraction schools universities. However, past decade has seen an increase in efforts among universities integrity students, particularly through use online courses or tutorials. Previous research found this type instruction be effective increasing students’ knowledge reducing their engagement dishonesty. present study contributes literature with natural experiment on effects Academic Integrity Course (AIC) at University Auckland, which became mandatory for all students 2015. In 2012, convenience sample ( n = 780) had been asked complete survey perceptions University’s polices several forms over year. 2017, same procedures were used collect data from second 608). After establishing measurement invariance across two samples latent factors, analysis variance revealed mixed support studies hypotheses. Unexpectedly, who completed AIC (i.e., 2017 sample) reported: (1) significantly lower (not higher) levels understanding, support, effectiveness respect policies; (2) statistically equivalent peer disapproval misconduct, and; (3) higher lower) misconduct. results related participants’ personal misconduct offered partial hypotheses those reported rates three eight behaviors included study. implications limitations these findings discussed well possible future directions research.