Understanding Student Academic Fraud: Trends, Causes, and Implications for Higher Education

Intan Sucitra; Friyatmi

doi:10.61987/jemr.v4i3.1033

Authors

Intan Sucitra Padang State University
Friyatmi Padang State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v4i3.1033

Keywords:

Academic Cheating, Gender, Year of Entry, Faculty

Abstract

Academic cheating behaviour has become a phenomenon that damages the integrity of the world of education; this is due to various supporting factors for academic fraud. This study aimed to analyse students academic fraud behaviour. This is causative quantitative research. The population in this study is the students; the sample is 200 students. The data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that academic fraud behaviour was in the low category, but plagiarism and cheating on exams need special attention. The implications of this study suggest the need for more intensive efforts from the university to raise awareness and address academic cheating behaviors, especially in terms of plagiarism and exam cheating. Academic integrity education programs and stricter policies can help create a more honest and dignified learning environment.

References

Ajit, S., Maikkara, A., & Ramku, W. (2024). Fear of failure: a student-facing investigation into the motivations for contract cheating and academic misconduct. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2413211. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2413211

Allen, S. E., & Kizilcec, R. F. (2024). A systemic model of academic (mis) conduct to curb cheating in higher education. Higher Education, 87(5), 1529–1549. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-023-01077-x

Asim, H. M., Vaz, A., Ahmed, A., & Sadiq, S. (2021). A Review on Outcome Based Education and Factors That Impact Student Learning Outcomes in Tertiary Education System. International Education Studies, 14(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v14n2p1

Awdry, R., & Ives, B. (2023). International predictors of contract cheating in higher education. Journal of Academic Ethics, 21(2), 193–212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-022-09449-1

Chiang, F., Zhu, D., & Yu, W. (2022). A systematic review of academic dishonesty in online learning environments. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(4), 907–928. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12656

Dhamija, V., & Arora, S. (2023). Academic cheating: Review of literature from 2010 to 2020. Journal of Academic Ethics, 21(1), 1-28.

Ferguson, C. D., Toye, M. A., & Eaton, S. E. (2023). Contract cheating and student stress: Insights from a Canadian community college. Journal of Academic Ethics, 21(4), 685–717. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-023-09476-6

Fontanella, A., Sukartini, S., Chandra, N., & Sriyunianti, F. (2020). Kecurangan Akademis Mahasiswa: Kenapa Terjadi Dan Apa Yang Harus Dilakukan?. Jurnal ASET (Akuntansi Riset), 12(1), 155-164.

Gottardello, D., & Karabag, S. F. (2022). Ideal and actual roles of university professors in academic integrity management: a comparative study. Studies in Higher Education, 47(3), 526–544. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1767051

Gross, J., & De Dreu, C. K. W. (2021). Rule following mitigates collaborative cheating and facilitates the spreading of honesty within groups. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 47(3), 395–409. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220927195

Hill, G., Mason, J., & Dunn, A. (2021). Contract cheating: an increasing challenge for global academic community arising from COVID-19. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 16(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-021-00166-8

Kamalov, F., Sulieman, H., & Santandreu Calonge, D. (2021). Machine learning based approach to exam cheating detection. Plos One, 16(8), e0254340. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254340

Kerubo, J., & Oliver, M. (2024). Revising academic cultures to improve integrity in Kenyan universities. Educational Review, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2024.2402802

Krou, M. R., Fong, C. J., & Hoff, M. A. (2021). Achievement motivation and academic dishonesty: A meta-analytic investigation. Educational Psychology Review, 33(2), 427–458.

Kumar, V., Verma, A., & Aggarwal, S. P. (2023). Reviewing academic integrity: Assessing the influence of corrective measures on adverse attitudes and plagiaristic behavior. Journal of Academic Ethics, 21(3), 497–518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-022-09467-z

Lee, K., & Fanguy, M. (2022). Online exam proctoring technologies: Educational innovation or deterioration? British Journal of Educational Technology, 53(3), 475–490.

Ma, J., & Ma, H. (2019). Understanding college students’ plagiarism: A systematic review. Educational Psychology Review, 31(2), 263-289.

Miles, P. J., Campbell, M., & Ruxton, G. D. (2022). Why students cheat and how understanding this can help reduce the frequency of academic misconduct in higher education: A literature review. Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education, 20(2), A150. https://doi.org/10.59390/LXMJ2920

Mushthofa, Z., Rusilowati, A., Sulhadi, S., Marwoto, P., & Mindiyarto, B. N. (2021). Analisis perilaku kecurangan akademik siswa dalam pelaksanaan ujian di sekolah. Jurnal Kependidikan: Jurnal Hasil Penelitian Dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran, 7(2), 446-452. https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v7i2.3302

Newton, P. M., & Essex, K. (2024). How common is cheating in online exams and did it increase during the COVID-19 pandemic? A systematic review. Journal of Academic Ethics, 22(2), 323–343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-023-09485-5

Shamoa-Nir, L. (2024). Cultural perspectives on academic dishonesty: Exploring racial and ethnic diversity in higher education. Ethics & Behavior, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2024.2388702

Soares, A. B., & Lazarus, S. (2024). Examining fifty cases of convicted online romance fraud offenders. Criminal Justice Studies, 37(4), 328–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2024.2429088

Sozon, M., Alkharabsheh, O. H. M., Pok, W. F., Sia, B. C., & Chowdhury, M. A. (2025). Exploring three decades of key themes and trends in academic misconduct in higher education institutions: a literature review. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-08-2024-0440

Spoelma, T. M. (2022). Counteracting the effects of performance pressure on cheating: A self-affirmation approach. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(10), 1804.

Stone, A. (2023). Student perceptions of academic integrity: A qualitative study of understanding, consequences, and impact. Journal of Academic Ethics, 21(3), 357–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-022-09461-5

Zic, W. G. (2025). Upholding ethical pillars in nursing academia. Nursing Ethics, 32(3), 892–899. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330241277990