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Cheating by students: findings, reflections, and remedies
1Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM-SOM), Albuquerque.
Summary
Student and faculty at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM SOM) perceive significant unethical behavior, particularly cheating on exams. Opinions on ethical standards were largely consistent between groups.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Academic Ethics
- Student Conduct
Background:
- Student cheating is a prevalent issue in academic settings.
- Understanding perceptions of academic dishonesty is crucial for maintaining educational integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess faculty and student opinions on unethical behaviors at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM SOM).
- To identify discrepancies in ethical perceptions between faculty and students.
- To determine the prevalence of unethical student behavior and inform future interventions.
Main Methods:
- Distribution of questionnaires to all faculty and medical students at UNM SOM.
- Assessment of respondents' ethical judgments on described behaviors.
- Inquiry into personal knowledge of unethical student conduct.
- Faculty perceptions of behavioral trends over time were also collected.
Main Results:
- Faculty and students largely agreed on the ethical nature of described behaviors, barring a specific cheating incident.
- A significant incidence (≥10%) of unethical behavior was reported by both groups.
- Cheating on examinations was identified as the most common form of academic dishonesty.
Conclusions:
- There is a substantial prevalence of unethical behavior, especially exam cheating, at UNM SOM.
- Consensus exists between faculty and students regarding the ethical evaluation of student conduct.
- Further strategies are needed to address and prevent academic dishonesty in medical education.