Commercialising academic dishonesty: analysis of contract cheating platforms in Spain.
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| Title: | Commercialising academic dishonesty: analysis of contract cheating platforms in Spain. |
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| Alternate Title: | Comercialización de la deshonestidad académica: análisis de plataformas de compraventa de trabajos académicos en España. Comercialização da desonestidade acadêmica: análise de plataformas de compra e venda de trabalhos acadêmicos na Espanha. |
| Authors: | Comas-Forgas, Rubén1,2 rubencomas@uib.cat, Pavlakis, Manos3,4,5,6 m.pavlakis@frederick.ac.cy, Álvarez-García, Olaya7,8 olaya.alvarez@uib.es |
| Source: | Revista Práxis Educativa. 2025, Vol. 20, p1-21. 21p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Academic fraud, *Higher education, *Education ethics, *Ethical problems, Spaniards, Digital technology, Advertising |
| Geographic Terms: | Spain |
| Abstract (English): | This paper explores the structure, strategies, and ethical implications of contract cheating platforms in Spain, focusing on their advertising practices and digital infrastructures. Drawing on a mixed-methods analysis of 40 active websites and 643 associated advertisements, the study examines how these services present themselves as legitimate academic support. The findings reveal sophisticated marketing tactics, legal ambiguity, and a growing normalization of academic outsourcing. Platforms employ persuasive discourses of personalization, confidentiality, and success guarantees, often exploiting students’ academic stress. Most services offer comprehensive writing, editing, and tutoring packages, mimicking institutional language while evading direct reference to misconduct. The analysis highlights the commodification of higher education and the need for regulatory and educational responses. This work contributes novel empirical data to the under-researched Spanish context and informs global academic integrity debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Spanish): | Este artículo explora la estructura, las estrategias y las implicaciones éticas de las plataformas de compraventa de trabajos académicos en España, centrándose en sus prácticas publicitarias y sus infraestructuras digitales. A partir de un análisis de métodos mixtos de 40 sitios web activos y 643 anuncios asociados, el estudio examina cómo estos servicios se presentan como apoyo académico legítimo. Los resultados revelan tácticas de marketing sofisticadas, ambigüedad legal y una creciente normalización de la externalización académica. Las plataformas emplean discursos persuasivos de personalización, confidencialidad y garantías de éxito, aprovechando con frecuencia el estrés académico del alumnado. La mayoría de los servicios ofrecen paquetes completos de redacción, edición y tutoría, imitando el lenguaje institucional mientras evitan la referencia directa a conductas indebidas. El análisis pone de relieve la mercantilización de la educación superior y la necesidad de respuestas regulatorias y educativas. Este trabajo aporta datos empíricos novedosos al poco investigado contexto español y contribuye a los debates globales sobre integridad académica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Portuguese): | Este artigo explora a estrutura, as estratégias e as implicações éticas das plataformas de compra e venda de trabalhos académicos em Espanha, com foco nas suas práticas publicitárias e nas infraestruturas digitais. Com base numa análise de métodos mistos de 40 sites ativos e 643 anúncios associados, o estudo examina como esses serviços se apresentam como apoio académico legítimo. Os resultados revelam táticas de marketing sofisticadas, ambiguidade legal e uma crescente normalização da terceirização académica. As plataformas utilizam discursos persuasivos de personalização, confidencialidade e garantias de sucesso, explorando frequentemente o stress académico dos estudantes. A maioria dos serviços oferece pacotes completos de redação, edição e tutoria, imitando a linguagem institucional enquanto evitam referência direta a condutas impróprias. A análise evidencia a mercantilização do ensino superior e a necessidade de respostas regulatórias e educativas. Este trabalho traz dados empíricos inéditos para o pouco explorado contexto espanhol e contribui para os debates globais sobre integridade académica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the structure, strategies, and ethical implications of contract cheating platforms in Spain, focusing on their advertising practices and digital infrastructures. Drawing on a mixed-methods analysis of 40 active websites and 643 associated advertisements, the study examines how these services present themselves as legitimate academic support. The findings reveal sophisticated marketing tactics, legal ambiguity, and a growing normalization of academic outsourcing. Platforms employ persuasive discourses of personalization, confidentiality, and success guarantees, often exploiting students’ academic stress. Most services offer comprehensive writing, editing, and tutoring packages, mimicking institutional language while evading direct reference to misconduct. The analysis highlights the commodification of higher education and the need for regulatory and educational responses. This work contributes novel empirical data to the under-researched Spanish context and informs global academic integrity debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 18094031 |
| DOI: | 10.5212/PraxEduc.v.20.25427.054 |
