Academic Honesty Amongst the Students of Health Studies/Akademska čestitost studenata zdravstvenih studija

Abstract

AbstractAcademic honesty is rarely investigated among Croatian students, despite the extremely high prevalence of unethical behavior at all levels of education, according to previous research. In this study, we examined the self-reported behavior, attitudes and values related to academic honesty of 1088 higher education students. The results indicate a moderate prevalence of dishonest behavior, especially in examinations. Students often show dishonest behavior due to poor supervision during exams while the main motivation for cheating is passing the exam or getting a higher score. Having examined the significant predictors of academic dishonesty, we can conclude that senior students behave more honestly. For students who are more honest in academic situations, cheating is less acceptable, and they provide more reasons for not cheating and less for cheating. However, students are not willing to take responsibility for their own honest behavior, and expect to be controlled by teachers and educational institutions. The paper introduces recommendations for the promotion and adoption of honest academic conduct in higher education institutions.
Key words: attitude; cheating; perception; responsibility; students.
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Sažetak
Akademsko poštenje studenata u nas se rijetko istražuje unatoč iznimno visokoj prevalenciji nečestitog ponašanja na svim razinama obrazovanja, kako pokazuju dosadašnja istraživanja. U ovom istraživanju ispitan je osobni doživljaj ponašanja, stavova i vrijednosti povezan s akademskom čestitošću 1088 studenata nekoliko veleučilišnih studija. Rezultati ukazuju na umjerenu pojavnost nečestitog ponašanja, osobito na ispitima znanja. Studenti se najčešće ponašaju nepošteno zbog slabog nadzora na ispitu, a osnovni motivator je prolaz na ispitu ili dobivanje više ocjene. Uvidom u značajne prediktore akademskog nepoštenja zaključujemo da se stariji studenti ponašaju čestitije. Ujedno, što im je nepoštenje u izvedbi akademskih zadataka manje prihvatljivo i što navode manje razloga za nepošteno ponašanje, a više za pošteno, to je njihovo ponašanje čestitije. Ipak, studenti nisu spremni preuzeti odgovornost za vlastito čestito ponašanje, te očekuju kontrolu nastavnika i obrazovne institucije. U radu su iznijete preporuke za poticanje i usvajanje čestitog akademskog ponašanja u visokoobrazovnim ustanovama.
Ključne riječi: odgovornos; percepcija; stav; student; varanje.