Fear of Failure: A Student-Facing Investigation into the Motivations for Contract Cheating and Academic Misconduct

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Fear of Failure: A Student-Facing Investigation into the Motivations for Contract Cheating and Academic Misconduct
Language: English
Authors: Suraj Ajit (ORCID 0000-0001-7603-570X), Aparna Maikkara, Wendy Ramku
Source: Cogent Education. 2024 11(1).
Availability: Cogent OA. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Foreign Students, Contract Training, Contracts, Cheating, Delinquency, Undergraduate Students, Integrity, Ethics, Student Behavior, Student Attitudes, Academic Failure, English (Second Language), Language Proficiency, Self Esteem, Writing Skills, Computer Uses in Education
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1080/2331186X.2024.2413211
ISSN: 2331-186X
Abstract: The advent of remote learning and the over-representation of international students in contract cheating literature have contributed to the beliefs that a digital pathway to higher education necessitates academic malpractice, and that this phenomenon is more prevalent among non-native students. This study seeks to contribute to the existing literature on international students and contract cheating by providing both holistic and nuanced student perspectives from survey and interview data. An online survey distributed to 117 students, of which 103 international students participated and a supplementary interview conducted with 6 additional participants from a UK university reveal a holistic and nuanced insight into the student perspective of contract cheating definitions and causes. The results support the currently scarce but emerging literature that a fear of failure and lack of self-confidence due to weak academic writing skills in English have a greater contribution to a student's susceptibility to outsource their work than students' automatic international status. This paper advocates for university support systems for academic writing skills in English to be shared among universities, and further suggests that these systems should be tailored and further promoted to the postgraduate student demographic.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://doi.org/10.24339/4bfa0e47-2f2a-456b-a5bc-8c1388b8724e
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1454361
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The advent of remote learning and the over-representation of international students in contract cheating literature have contributed to the beliefs that a digital pathway to higher education necessitates academic malpractice, and that this phenomenon is more prevalent among non-native students. This study seeks to contribute to the existing literature on international students and contract cheating by providing both holistic and nuanced student perspectives from survey and interview data. An online survey distributed to 117 students, of which 103 international students participated and a supplementary interview conducted with 6 additional participants from a UK university reveal a holistic and nuanced insight into the student perspective of contract cheating definitions and causes. The results support the currently scarce but emerging literature that a fear of failure and lack of self-confidence due to weak academic writing skills in English have a greater contribution to a student's susceptibility to outsource their work than students' automatic international status. This paper advocates for university support systems for academic writing skills in English to be shared among universities, and further suggests that these systems should be tailored and further promoted to the postgraduate student demographic.
ISSN:2331-186X
DOI:10.1080/2331186X.2024.2413211